Hirosaki City Apple Park

While Aomori Prefecture is famed for its rich powder snow, particularly atop the Hakkoda Mountains and the eight-meter-high Snow Corridors around Sukayu Onsen, the region is equally favored for its illustrious apple production, accounting for over fifty percent of Japan’s total harvest. One of the largest apple orchards in Aomori is found in the Hirosaki City Apple Park, located about 35-45 minutes by train from Aomori City.

Established in 2002, Hirosaki City Apple Park covers approximately 9.7 hectares and features around 2,300 apple trees in 80 varieties. The exquisite backdrop of Mount Iwaki and the Shirakami Mountains makes the park a favorite photo destination for both local and foreign tourists. 

Facilities at Hirosaki City Apple Park

Photo by: Alma Reyes

The park entrance opens onto a leisurely walkway leading to the Apple House. This comprises a small apple gallery, cafe restaurant and souvenir shop. At the apple exhibition, visitors can get an overview of numerous apple varieties, from Fuji, Sekai Ichi, Saika and Meigetsu, among others, displayed in a charming, giant red apple-shaped installation. Picture panels and a video explain the apple harvesting process. Apple-themed art objects and paintings enhance the overall fruit theme.

The café restaurant is an absolute haven for apple treats. Dishes include several kinds of apple pies, apple cutlet curry, apple ramen, apple pizza, apple desserts, and apple-flavored drinks. Next to the restaurant is the souvenir shop, filled with roughly 1,200 apple-themed products. The shop also sells juices and cider made from 100% Aomori apples, as well as fresh, seasonal apples.

To the left of the Apple House is the Hirosaki Cider Factory “Kimori.” The brewery, swarmed by apple trees, produces authentic cider using locally grown apples. Visitors can join a factory tour to learn about cider brewing and have a sip of the farm’s cider.

Further afield, one comes across the Former Osanai Residence, a reconstructed farmhouse built in 1863. It reveals the  Edo-period thatched roof and interior. The house introduces the pioneers of apple production and traditional farming tools used in rural agriculture. Wonderful sliding doors are adorned with ink-painted Neputa floats, Aomori’s signature trademark. During special events, storytellers from the town share classical Tsugaru folk tales as they guide visitors around.

A vast picnic area and recreational field, with a barbecue option, are also open to all visitors.

Events and Activities

Photo by: PIXTA/ asoboy999

The park conducts several festivities from spring to autumn each year. The Hirosaki Apple Blossom Festival runs every May. The event features stage performances by townsfolk, and rows of food stalls serving Aomori cuisine and delicacies. Booths also sell a variety of handicrafts and regional products. This year, the festival runs from May 3 to 5. During this season, guests can enjoy picking apples and savoring the gentle fragrance of the fruit blossoms.

Between May and July, the estate offers a Fruit Thinning Experience activity that teaches visitors how to select fruits from the orchard. Apple harvesting begins in August and is celebrated during the Hirosaki Apple Harvest Festival in early to mid-November. Check the website for updates.