With the pleasant autumn weather, it’s the perfect time to step outside and enjoy the season. Every year, Hirosaki City hosts the “Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival,” right when the autumn foliage is at its breathtaking peak. This popular autumn event includes a chrysanthemum exhibition featuring flowers grown by local residents, flower art made with abundant autumn blooms, and a magical illumination that enhances the beauty of the autumn leaves.
At the main venue, the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden, visitors can enjoy the “Chibikko Shinkansen” (mini Shinkansen for children), a cute flower hand-wash basin, and much more. This family-friendly festival attracts large crowds of all ages every day. In this section, we’ll introduce the festival details and highlights, perfect for those wanting to enjoy the beauty of autumn and the arts. Be sure to read to the end if you want to enjoy the best of autumn and the festivities!
Dates: Every year, from August 1st to August 7th
Location: Hirosaki Park (Main venue: Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden)
Access:
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (entrance to the botanical garden until 6:30 PM; illuminations from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM)
Parking: Free parking available along the Kōnan Railway line (Recommended to park a bit further away and take the train to the venue)
The Best Time to See Autumn Foliage: from mid-October to early November
The main venue of the festival, the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden, is filled with stunning flower art, flower hand-wash basins, and food stalls offering seasonal treats, making it an ideal place to leisurely enjoy autumn’s beauty. Here are four must-see features of the festival that you shouldn’t miss.
The first highlight of the festival is the splendid flower art created using autumn flowers. Each year, large-scale works featuring themes like the wings of a phoenix or a dragon are crafted. The flower art, built with bamboo frames and adorned with a variety of colorful flowers, is both luxurious and eye-catching. When you enter the botanical garden, this is the first spot you’ll want to visit. Close to the flower art, there’s also a “Flower Arch,” a large flower circle big enough for adults to walk through with their backs straight. You can stop in the center and take photos, framing yourself within the arch like a photo frame. The flower art at the festival changes every year, so be excited to see what new creations await you!
Another highlight that reflects the charm of Hirosaki is the “Seasonal Corridor,” where the city’s year-round cycle is represented through the use of autumn leaves and flowers. A beautiful display featuring red autumn leaves and the harvest of apples—symbolizing the city’s agricultural richness—is especially chic. Large apple sculptures, big enough to be held in both hands, are scattered throughout the area, making it a perfect spot for photos. Additionally, don’t miss the “Neputa Windmills” inspired by the summer “Hirosaki Neputa Festival.” These large, folding-screen-like structures feature hand-sized windmills attached at regular intervals, creating a delightful and calming effect as the wind blows through them. When the wind dies down, you can get closer to admire the intricate brushwork and delicate colors of the Neputa art.
The “Flower Hand-Wash Basin” has become a popular Instagram-worthy spot due to its charming design. The basin, made of stone, is filled with water, and colorful flowers float atop it. For this festival, chrysanthemums, picked apples, and Neputa art are carefully arranged in the basin. The chrysanthemums come in various forms, from long, elegant petals to round, pom-pom-like blooms, arranged in pleasing combinations of yellow, pale purple, and light green. This beautiful sight looks stunning from any angle. A touch of whimsy is added by the small apples, which are roughly the size of a 500-yen coin, and the Neputa art discreetly placed at the edge of the basin. Multiple hand-wash basins are set up across the venue, so be sure to take time to appreciate each one.
In the central area of the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden, you’ll find a soba shop and a sweet shop. Visitors arriving in the evening can enjoy a warm bowl of soba before exploring the garden, while those visiting during the day can take a break and indulge in some sweets before continuing to enjoy the exhibits. The park also offers outdoor seating, so you can picnic while enjoying the scenery and art displays. If you’re lucky enough to find a good spot, you may even get to enjoy your meal while gazing at the beautiful works of art.
Even if you don’t enter the botanical garden, there are plenty of places around Hirosaki Castle Park where you can enjoy the autumn leaves and festival atmosphere for free. The view of the castle surrounded by brilliant red and orange autumn leaves is a must-see. Below are some highlights of the festival you can enjoy without an entry fee.
The festival also features stunning light displays at night. The flower art installations at the botanical garden are illuminated with projection mapping, and lights are placed under the flower hand-wash basins, casting a soft glow from below. These lights transform the park into an enchanting world, offering a completely different experience from the daytime. Outside the botanical garden, the autumn leaves are also illuminated with warm yellow lights, creating an even more fiery red appearance. The reflections on the dark surface of the moat, which mirror the vibrant colors of the leaves, are especially breathtaking. In Hirosaki, by November, the temperature can drop below 10°C (50°F) on some days. When you head out to enjoy the night illuminations, be sure to dress warmly and prepare for the cold.
The festival also features stunning light displays at night. The flower art installations at the botanical garden are illuminated with projection mapping, and lights are placed under the flower hand-wash basins, casting a soft glow from below. These lights transform the park into an enchanting world, offering a completely different experience from the daytime. Outside the botanical garden, the autumn leaves are also illuminated with warm yellow lights, creating an even more fiery red appearance. The reflections on the dark surface of the moat, which mirror the vibrant colors of the leaves, are especially breathtaking. In Hirosaki, by November, the temperature can drop below 10°C (50°F) on some days. When you head out to enjoy the night illuminations, be sure to dress warmly and prepare for the cold.
At the Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival, you can enjoy chrysanthemums, maple trees, ginkgoes, and other autumn flowers. The beauty of the autumn scenery, which can only be experienced during this short period from late October to early November, will surely make you want to capture it in countless photos. With its splendid flower art, illuminated displays, and free spots to explore, this festival is a great way to celebrate the arrival of autumn. Don’t miss out on experiencing the magic of autumn at the Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival!
