Hirosaki
Cherry Blossom Festival A Misawa ITT Tour 35th
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Hirosaki
Hirosaki was once the capital of Aomori Prefecture. Although that title has been relegated to Aomori City, many still see Hirosaki as the cultural and historical hub of the prefecture. While Aomori City was almost completely obliterated in World War II, Hirosaki escaped unscathed, preserving its traditional landmarks and architecture. It is the only city in the prefecture with a proper university, and its citizenry is therefore regarded as more educated and cosmopolitan. If you are likely to see another non-Japanese person anywhere in the prefecture, it is likely to be in Hirosaki. Hirosaki was founded in 1603 by Lord Tsugaru Tamenobu. It was the prefectural capital until the Meiji Restoration joined the Nambu and Tsugaru territories (southeast Aomori and western Aomori, respectively) into a unified prefecture. Aomori City was chosen as the new capital, but it never attained the more highbrow appeal that Hirosaki still holds. As was common in feudal times, Lord Tsugaru deliberately designed the city to be as confusing as possible to invaders. The streets are a maze of winding, meandering lanes, rarely leading where one would expect them to. Patience and diligence eventually allow visitors to reach Hirosaki Park, the centerpiece of the city. Within the park are more maze-like footpaths, which lead eventually to the most recognized landmark in Hirosaki, the castle. Surrounded by a moat and built high upon a stone precipice, the castle appears today much as it did during Lord Tsugaru’s time.
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Hirosaki Castle
Alternate Name: Takaoka-jo Founder: Tsugaru Nobuhira Year: 1611 Type: Flatland-mountain Structure: 3 levels, 3 stories Artifacts: Donjon (massive inner tower), 5 gates, 3 yagura (watchtower) Location: Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture History: Hirosaki Castle was built in 1611 and was home to the Tsugaru clan of feudal lords for 260 years. Like most castles in Japan it has been partially reconstructed. However, unlike most of them, it still maintains the original layout. The three level donjon of Hirosaki-jo seems disproportionately small when compared to the huge estate encompassed by the castle today. Hirosaki-jo was originally built with a five level donjon which was struck by lightning and burned to the ground in 1627. The donjon was not rebuilt until 1810. The new three level donjon is built atop the inner moat using the stone wall as the palisade for the donjon. Originally it was also connected to a section of yagura along the top of this moat. The yagura, however, no longer exists and the donjon stands alone. Hirosaki-jo has the only surviving donjon to the east of Matsumotojo (Nagano prefecture) making it a historical treasure of the Tohoku region.
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Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
It’s a sure sign that winter is finally over when the cherry blossoms arrive in Hirosaki. The spectacular setting of the feudal castle, surrounded by more than 5,000 blossoming cherry trees, makes Hirosaki one of the most renowned sites in Japan for viewing cherry blossoms, with two million people visiting at this time each year. Most of the Hanami action happens at night, when the white turrets of the castle are illuminated amongst millions of pink petals. For the full experience, don’t forget to walk through The Cherry Blossom Tunnel, which can be found near the west moat. Cherry blossom season is also a great time to experience some traditional Japanese arts in Hirosaki, as both the Tsugaru shamisen and folksong contests are held concurrently. The shamisen is a three-stringed guitar developed in Japan during the Edo Period (1603-1867). The Tsugaru shamisen of the Hirosaki region is distinctive for its speed, energy and irregular rhythms. Originally played by blind beggars, the style is said to owe much to the harsh climate of the region and the hardships endured by its players. It is complemented perfectly by Tsugaru folksongs.
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All About Che
When do they bloom? The most important factor that determines the blooming time of cherry trees is the geographical location. Basically, the milder the climate, the earlier the blossoms open. On Japan’s southern, subtropical islands of Okinawa, cherry blossoms open as early as January, while on the northern island of Hokkaido, they bloom as late as May. In most major cities in between, including Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, the cherry blossom season typically takes place around the end of March and beginning of April. In the Aomori Prefecture area the blooming season is typically late April until early May. Furthermore, the blooming time differs from year to year depending on the weather. If the weather during the months and weeks preceding the cherry blossom season is mild, blossoms will open early. If it is cold, blossoms will open later. From year to year, the start of the blooming season can vary by as much as plus/minus two weeks. How long do they bloom? The cherry blossom season is relatively short. Full bloom (mankai) is usually reached within about one week after the opening of the first blossoms (kaika). Another week later, the blooming peak is over and the blossoms are falling from the trees. Strong wind and rain can cut the blooming season even shorter. A large majority of cherry trees in Japan are of the Somei Yoshino and Yamazakura varieties. But in total, over one hundred cherry tree varieties can be found in Japan. Number of petals: Most wild trees, but also a lot of cultivated tree varieties have blossoms with five petals. However, some species have blossoms which consist of more than five petals, such as 10, 20, or more. Trees with blossoms of more than five petals are called yaezakura. 6
erry Blossoms
Color of the blossoms: Most varieties produce lightly pink to pure white blossoms, but there are also cherry trees with dark pink or slightly yellowish blossoms. The color of the blossoms of some varieties can change while they are in bloom, from white to pink, for instance. The fresh leaves: In case of early blooming trees, the fresh leaves usually do not appear until after full bloom, which gives the trees an attractive, homogenous look while they are in full bloom. In case of later blooming trees, the leaves usually appear before the blossoms, giving the trees a more heterogeneous look. Furthermore, the color of the fresh leaves differs between the varieties. In most cases, the fresh leaves are green, coppery brownish, or something in between. Time of blooming: Most cherry tree varieties carry blossoms in spring. However, there are a few varieties, which bloom in late autumn and during the winter months. Yaezakura, i.e. cherry trees with blossoms of more than five petals, are typically the last ones to open their blossoms, about two to four weeks after most five-petaled species. Form of the tree: Cherry trees display various growing habits and come in different shapes and forms: triangular, columnar, V-shape, weeping, flat-topped, etc. Weeping cherry trees are called shidarezakura.
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Cherry Blossom Viewing (Hanami)
Hanami literally means “flower viewing”, however, it commonly refers only to cherry blossom viewing. Cherry blossom viewing is easy: Simply enjoy the intensity of the many blossoms by looking at a single tree or a group of trees. From a distance, the trees appear as beautiful clouds, while the beauty of single blossoms can be enjoyed up close. Cherry blossoms are also especially beautiful in combination with a castle, temple or shrine. In some places the blossoms are lit up in the evening, which makes an amazing sight. Hanami can be just a stroll in the park, but it traditionally also involves a picnic party under the blooming trees. Hanami parties have been held in Japan for many centuries, and today are held in public and private gardens and parks across the country. Famous cherry blossom spots can get very crowded. In especially popular places, it is common practice to reserve a picnic spot long before the party is held. The typical practice is to spread one’s picnic sheet early in the morning and either mark it with the group’s name and party’s starting time or to have somebody positioned there during the whole day until the rest of the group arrives after work.
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Cherry Blossoms
The cherry blossom is the national flower of Japan. In a band of warmer weather moving south to north and beginning in late January in Okinawa, the cherry blossom front usually reaches Hokkaido in June while centering the nation’s interest during this season on the approach of their own cherry blossom season. While the cherry tree and buds are initially modest in appearance, when in full bloom the blossoms are truly splendid. Their zenith lasts for just a few days however, and the resulting shedding of the petals can look like a pink tinged snowstorm. Associated very closely with human mortality, the Japanese have long identified the ephemeral life of the flowers with the tragically short lifespan of so people, and by extension, one finds in Japan the graceful acceptance of falling while in one’s prime. Dedicated viewers of the cherry blossom front travel south to north with the front.
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Hirosaki / Other Facts City Emblem: Manji City Flower: Cherry Blossom City Tree: Apple Tree Hirosaki’s city emblem, the manji or reversed swastika, has a long history. In feudal times it was used as the family crest of the local Tsugaru clan. It is said to symbolize the rejection of selfish motives and the devotion of the individual to society. It was adopted as the city emblem in June, 1900. Hirosaki’s cherry blossoms make a spring spectacle unequalled throughout Japan. During the Cherry Blossom Festival, some two million visitors flock to Hirosaki from far and wide. The cherry blossom was named the official city flower on April 1, 1993.
Apples are reputed to be good for both health and complexion. Hirosaki boasts the greatest apple production in all Japan, with an annual yield of more than 130,000 tons equivalent to fourteen percent of the national harvest. The apple tree was declared the city tree of Hirosaki on April 1, 1993.
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Misawa ITT Office Location: Bldg. 626 Phone: 226-3555 (tours/info); or 226-9714 (airline tickets) Hours of Operation: Local Tours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Closed on Sundays and Federal Holidays Closed the 2nd Monday of each month Leisure Travel: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Federal Holidays Closed the 2nd Monday of each month
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