Use the
Planning a Trip to Japan?
Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp
HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
Not only cherry blossoms! Hirosaki Park is fantastic and fun also in winter time
Hirosaki City
Set in the center of Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, Hirosaki Park encompasses the majestic Hirosaki Castle and is one of Japan’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spots. However, its charm does not end with spring! Every year from December to February, after sunset, a part of the outer moat of Hirosaki Park is lit up in pink color. The snow piled up on the branches of the cherry trees is illuminated, and the scenery spreads out like cherry blossoms in full bloom.
The magic continues in early February with the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival, when the park grounds turn into a winter wonderland. Hirosaki Castle is lit up, and the park is set up with about 150 snow lanterns and 300 miniature igloos lit by candles, creating a beautiful scenery of snow and light. Large snow sculptures in the shape of historical buildings and large slides are also built in the park, and visitors can enjoy the snow through a wide range of fun events.
During the festival, western-style buildings and cultural property facilities in Hirosaki City are also lit up, and beautiful illuminations change the city into a fantastic world. The Tsugaru-Nishiki-e Cloister, which exhibits colorful kagami-e (front) and miokuri-e (back) pictures from the Hirosaki Neputa Festival floats, is another highlight not to be missed. Come enjoy this special event that colors the winter of Hirosaki and take a photo of your very own lovely snowscape. The magic of Japan's winter is waiting for you!
How to get there
From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori Station (about 3 hours and 40 minutes), then change trains to get to JR Hirosaki Station (about 40 minutes). Hirosaki Park is 15 minutes by bus from JR Hirosaki Station.
1 Shimo-shirogane-cho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori-ken
