From the end of the Sakura Festival to the season when apple blossoms start blooming—right up until harvest time—riding a bicycle is one of the best ways to tour Hirosaki City. As an old castle town, the streets around Hirosaki Castle can feel maze-like, with narrow lanes and sudden one-way roads for cars.

Additionally, parking can be a challenge if you visit shops in the downtown area; you might have to park far away just to get inside. In these pleasant months, why not feel the breeze on a rental bike while exploring Hirosaki?

Below, we’ll introduce two beginner-friendly cycling routes with minimal uphill segments and shorter distances, perfect for those who don’t regularly bike.

Hirosaki Rental Cycle Stations

In Hirosaki, the Cycle Net HIROSAKI program offers tourist bikes for rent at various locations. Standard bicycles (commonly called “mamachari” in Japan) are available, and at some stations, electric-assist bikes are also offered. Here are the rental stations:

1. Hirosaki City Tourist Information Center (Inside JR Hirosaki Station)
   Convenient for those who want to start riding immediately from the station.
2. Machinaka Information Center
   Located along Dote-machi, perfect for getting around local shops in the city center.
3. Hirosaki City Tourism and Local Products Hall (Hirosaki City Tourist Center)
   Right in front of Hirosaki Park—ideal if you plan to explore the park.
4. Tsugaru-han Neputa Village
   Rent a bike after touring Neputa Village—very convenient.
5. Ringo Park (Apple Park)
   Great for exploring Ringo Park itself or slightly more distant areas from the city center.

You can pick up or return your rented bicycle at any of the five stations. Note that standard bikes can’t be reserved in advance. Only the Tourist Information Center and Hirosaki City Tourist Center offer electric-assist bikes. The plan we’ll introduce here is doable even on a standard bike.

Cycle Net HIROSAKI (Tourist Bike Rental)

• Fee: 500 yen (standard bike), 1,000 yen (electric-assist bike)
• Hours: 9:00–16:00 (return by 17:00)
• Season: Open until late November (subject to change if it snows, etc.)
• Official Info: https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html?id=access04

Morning-to-Lunch Route

Start out on a fresh morning ride, circle around the city, and end with lunch—perfect for beginners, as it covers flat terrain. First, rent your bike at the Tourist Information Center in front of Hirosaki Station (Central Exit) and get going!

Hirosaki Station

   ↓  (10 min by bike)

1) Munakata Shrine

2) StayJuicy

   ↓  (5 min)

3) Dazai Osamu Manabi no Ie (“Dazai Osamu Learning House”)

4) Old Hirosaki Kaikosha

   ↓  (15 min)

5) Hirosaki Brick Warehouse Museum

   ↓  (10 min)

6) Ekidote Promenade

   ↓  (15 min)

Hirosaki Station (return bike)

   ↓  (10 min on foot)

7) PastaYa

8) Niji no Mart

Let’s take a closer look at each stop.

1) Munakata Shrine

From Hirosaki Station, head left in front of Art Hotel Hirosaki City and continue straight. Pass the gas station, then turn left at the traffic light. You’ll soon see Munakata Shrine, known locally as “Benten-sama.” Why not pray here for a safe cycling trip?

• Name: Munakata Shrine
• Location: 89 Shinagawa-machi, Hirosaki-shi
• Tel: 0172-32-8059
• Website: https://www.muanakta.com/

2) StayJuicy

A very short distance from Munakata Shrine, you’ll find the smoothie shop StayJuicy, which opens early. It’s perfect for a quick vitamin boost before you really start pedaling!

3) Dazai Osamu Manabi no Ie

After leaving StayJuicy, turn left. At the first traffic light, turn right; at the next light, turn left, and you’ll see the Dazai Osamu Manabi no Ie on your left. When he was still known by his real name, Tsushima Shūji, Osamu Dazai spent part of his youth here. It’s a serene spot filled with literary history.

4) Old Hirosaki Kaikosha

Right across from Dazai Osamu Manabi no Ie, behind the Hirosaki Kosei Gakuin parking lot, stands the Old Hirosaki Kaikosha. Featured in the local manga “Flying Witch” as the “Hirosaki Branch of the Witches’ Association,” this building exudes a charming retro vibe. From October 2024 onward (Reiwa 6), management changes may affect public access, so please check for updates.

5) Hirosaki Brick Warehouse Museum

Facing the main road from Old Kaikosha, turn left and head straight. When you see the MEGA Drugstore, turn right onto Tomita Odori. At the large intersection, turn left; on your right you’ll see the Hirosaki Brick Warehouse Museum with its striking champagne-gold roof. Inside this massive structure, you can enjoy contemporary art exhibits. The adjacent Yoshino-cho Green Space is perfect for a quick break.

6) Ekidote Promenade

Return to the main road you came from and turn left, heading toward Dote-machi Street, then turn right. As you continue, you’ll spot a walkway on your left called Ekidote Promenade, named for the route that links “Eki-mae” (the station area) to Dote-machi. It features sculptures and a little waterway—perfect for a leisurely ride. In hot weather, you can dip your feet to cool off!

7) PastaYa

After enjoying the promenade, return your bike at Hirosaki Station and walk about 10 minutes. You’ll find PastaYa, a popular pasta restaurant. Reservation by phone is recommended even on weekdays—try their lunch set, limited to only 10 servings per day, which offers a special pasta not on the regular menu, at a reasonable price.

8) Niji no Mart

On the same street as PastaYa is Niji no Mart, a local market considered the “kitchen of Hirosaki.” Here, you can also enjoy lunch. Besides a long-standing soba/udon shop, there’s ramen, yakitori, prepared dishes, bento meals, a coffee shop, bakery, and more. On nice days, you can use the walkway next to the building as a terrace-like space—perfect for dining outdoors.

• Name: Niji no Mart
• Location: 12-1 Ekimae-cho, Hirosaki-shi
• Tel: 0172-32-6411
• Hours: 8:00–18:00
• Closed: Sundays
• Website & Instagram:
  • https://www.nijinomart.com/
  • https://www.instagram.com/nijinomart

Afternoon Route (After Lunch)

If you’re not an early riser, here’s a more relaxed course starting after lunch. Since Hirosaki Park is on higher ground, we recommend renting near the park to avoid biking too far uphill. Begin by tasting a beloved local food, Naka-Miso ramen, then head out on your cycling adventure!

1) Nakasan Department Store (Naka-miso Ramen)

   ↓ (15 min on foot)

2) Hirosaki City Tourist Center (rent a bike)

   ↓ (3 min)

3) Starbucks Coffee Hirosaki Koen-mae

   ↓ (3 min)

4) Hirosaki Park (Otemon Gate)

   ↓ (45 min exploring the park)

5) Bukeyashiki (Samurai Residences: Old Iwata, Sasamori, Ito, Umeda Houses)

   ↓ (15 min)

6) TrentaTre33

   ↓ (20 min)

7) Machinaka Information Center (return bike)

   ↓ (5 min on foot)

8) Dodeno Meheyakko

Let’s see what each spot offers.

1) Nakasan Department Store (Naka-miso Ramen)

Inside the HiRoRo shopping center near Hirosaki Station, you’ll find the ramen shop Naka-miso, considered a soul food of Hirosaki. Their signature miso ramen is uniquely sweet, piled high with vegetables.

2) Hirosaki City Tourist Center

Right across from the Otemon Gate of Hirosaki Park, this facility houses a tourist information office and event hall. Renting a bike here means minimal uphill cycling to get into the park—very convenient!

• Name: Hirosaki City Tourist Center
• Location: 2-1 Shimoshirogane-cho, Hirosaki-shi
• Tel: 0172-37-5501
• Hours: 9:00–18:00 (Bike rental 9:00–17:00)
• Closed: New Year’s holidays
• Website: https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html?id=tourist_hall

3) Starbucks Coffee Hirosaki Koen-mae

Right in front of Hirosaki Park—this was the first Starbucks to open in Hirosaki. It’s in a historic building with a warm, inviting atmosphere.

4) Hirosaki Park

Enter through Otemon Gate and explore at your own pace. Because the park is quite large, having a bike allows you to see more in less time. Aim for the North Gate (Kikyo-mon), using a park map along the way. Even outside of cherry blossom season, you’ll find lush greenery and a peaceful, refreshing environment.

5) Samurai Residences (Bukeyashiki)

Exiting from the North Gate, ride between the well-known Ishibaya Sake Shop and Cafe KITAMON to enter the Naka-cho Important Traditional Buildings Preservation District. The roads here are narrow—ideal for bikes. You’ll find historic samurai residences that remain to this day. Getting slightly lost is part of the fun—it’s a true castle-town experience!

6) TrentaTre33

Passing through the Naka-cho district and along the back road of Neputa Village avoids steep inclines. At the Hirosaki Bunka Center intersection, turn left; at the 7-Eleven, turn left again. You’ll see TrentaTre33 next to a pharmacy on your right. Here, you remove your shoes—just what your tired feet need after cycling! They serve seasonal parfaits, coffee, and more in a laid-back setting.

7) Machinaka Information Center

Head back to the road in front of 7-Eleven, turn right at the Kawakoshi Kogane-yaki intersection to enter Hyakkoku-machi. At the big intersection, turn left and go slightly uphill. When you see the large Hirosaki Post Office on your right at the next intersection, turn right and go straight to reach the Machinaka Information Center. This center provides sightseeing info, local event details, and sometimes sells Sakura Miku goods. You can return your bike here.

• Name: Hirosaki Machinaka Information Center
• Location: 94-1 Dote-machi, Hirosaki-shi
• Tel: 0172-31-5160
• Hours: 9:00–21:00 (Bike rental 9:00–17:00)
• Closed: Open year-round
• Website/X (Twitter):
  • https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html?id=machinaka_info
  • https://twitter.com/hiromachi0416

8) Dodeno Meheyakko

Diagonal from the Machinaka Information Center across the intersection, at the corner of Dote-machi, stands Dodeno Meheyakko, a lively izakaya and diner serving Tsugaru-style home cooking reminiscent of mom’s cooking in the Showa era. It’s the perfect place to reward yourself with delicious comfort food after a day of biking.

(For details: “Dodenome Heyakko—A Nostalgic, Cozy Izakaya & Diner in Hirosaki’s Dote-machi!”)

Staying Safe While Cycling

Exploring an unfamiliar town by bike is fun, but also carries risks. To ride safely, remember:

• Always cycle on the left side of the road in Japan.
• Wear a helmet. (Available to rent alongside your bicycle.)
• If you need to check your phone or map, pull over to a safe spot first.
• Use crosswalks at intersections without signals.
• If it rains, consider cutting your trip short.

When there’s no clear bicycle parking, ask the shop owners if it’s okay to park out front or find another suitable spot. Enjoy the fresh air of Hirosaki in the best season to cycle!