They can not get enough of apples in Aomori Prefecture. Hirosaki as the largest apple producer in Japan, has a lot of tourism surrounding this tasty produce. I present to you the Hirosaki Apple Park (弘前リンゴ公園), where you can meet your heart’s content of apples!
In the area of 4 hectares lies about 2300 apple trees of nearly 80 different varieties, 30 of which you can pick, and others you can experience. But that’s not where these experiences stop.
- 1. Experience Apple Cultivation
- 2. Go Apple picking
- 3. Check out the view
- 4. Raising potted apple trees
- 5. Visit the old farmhouse
- 6. Have a snack at the restaurant
- 7. You can’t go anywhere in Japan without getting some omiyage
- 8. Taste some Cider
- 9. Join in the festivals
- Access
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[Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August of 2018 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.]
1. Experience Apple Cultivation
With so many apple trees, there is a lot of work to be done! In spring, excess flowers need to be culled to reduce the burden on the tree so it will produce better fruit. As the fruit grows, bad looking fruit needs to be removed for the same reason. In fall, while the apples are truly coming into their own, leaves need to be removed to allow sunlight to filter through.
All of these things you can help with for a mini hands on lesson in farming at the orchard in Hirosaki Apple Park.
2. Go Apple picking
One of my favorite fall activities as a child was going apple picking with my family. We would drive out to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia to our favorite orchard and pick several bushels. Afterwards, we would have a picnic at Elizabeth Furnace where we’d go hiking for pig iron, play in the spring, and climb to the tops of trees.
Here at Hirosaki Apple Park (弘前リンゴ公園) you have the opportunity to create similar memories – but in Japan!
Here the season is open from the beginning of August through the end of November. The variety you pick will be dependent on what month you are visiting in. As a child we always seemed to go in October so I like the cooler air option!
However, thanks to the change in latitude, the weather in Aomori was glorious even in August (when I was visiting) compared to the heat of the Tokyo region where I call home.
Another difference from my childhood memories and Japan’s apple picking at Hirosaki Apple Park is the price! 330 yen/kg. Produce can tend to be expensive in Japan, especially for the quality and this proves that. For the record, one kg is about 4 small apples so you still are getting quite a few to eat!
Early in the season, they do limit you to 5 apples to keep the harvest around. As such it can also be limited to 20-minutes. If you would like to go, meet at the “Apple House” to sign up.
3. Check out the view
Oddly enough, there is an artificial mountain in the middle of the Hirosaki Apple Park that was apparently built during the Edo period to practice cannons and guns. Of note, Hirosaki Castle isn’t really on a hill so I’m not sure where they were practicing for, other sieges? Honestly, depending on how good of a cannon it was, it would make it easier to hit Hirosaki!
Really I think that was just an excuse to have a great view of the surrounding mountains! There’s a lovely lookout to see Mt. Iwaki, the nearest stratovolcano that is referred to as Tsugaru (the region) Fuji do to the similarities in shape with Japan’s symbol, Mount Fuji. Like Fuji though, even with the nicer weather, she was hiding behind some clouds while I was there.
That still left gorgeous views of the other areas though! Its about 85 meters high so you’ll get a bit of exercise with some fresh air while you are at it.
4. Raising potted apple trees
This one wins the prize for oddest option. As an effort to help tourists and citizens alike learn more about apple trees, they have a potted tree program. What’s that? Well, you can submit an application for them to “lend” you a tree. So you can see how it flowers and grows!
Depending on the amount of trees and other factors, they may not be able to accommodate your request but it’s there, nonetheless!
5. Visit the old farmhouse
The former residence was built some 140 years ago in Gotanda. Not exactly close to Hirosaki but of the same architecture that you would see in this area. To help preserve the heritage, it was disassembled and restored at the Hirosaki Apple Park.
In 平成 13 (Heisei 13 = 2001 depending on the time of year), it was named a cultural property of the city. You can walk around the tatami mats in your bare feet and imagine what it would be like all that time ago. You can also see the equipment they used forever and a day ago on farms and be glad you aren’t doing hard labor.
If you are like me and love historical buildings, don’t worry, Hirosaki has a lot of them in both western and samurai form!
6. Have a snack at the restaurant
If you would like some apple infused products, now’s as good a time as any to try some! Located inside the “Apple House”, which is the main facility on the property and therefore it’s hard to miss! And if for some reason you can’t get your fill there are always plenty of options for apple curry, soft cream (what Japan calls soft serve ice cream), and apple pie back in the more dense areas of town.
7. You can’t go anywhere in Japan without getting some omiyage
Inside the Apple House, off in the corner you’ll find the りんごグッズ販売コーナー. Which in English translates as “Apple Goods Selling Corner”, Japan is super clever with names sometimes! They made me laugh.
There are around 1200 different items for sale, all revolving around apples! Plenty of local crafts and products to choose from including my favorite, cider.
8. Taste some Cider
While you could buy some cider at the store, how about walking back out towards the entrance and visiting a cidery? It’s actually the reason I went to Hirosaki Apple Park in the first place, Kimori Cidre, and I give you all the details in another post.
9. Join in the festivals
In May there is the Hirosaki Apple Flower Festival which has all sorts of events including the giant pie that I mentioned when writing about the Hirosaki Apple pies that you must try!
Miss that one? In September is the Apple Harvest Festival at Hirosaki Apple Park, and don’t worry, they do the giant pie thing there too! Both have food and drinks, as well as much entertainment so if you are up north in Aomori during either month it might be a good time to swing by!
No giant pies as far as I can see but there are also summer and winter festivals in the Hirosaki Apple Park.
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Access
Wondering how to get to Hirosaki in general? I’ve got you covered there with a quick weekend itinerary for Aomori including Hirosaki! It’s a very easy trip up from Tokyo, especially if you are using the JR rail pass.
If you are staying in Hirosaki and are like me and like to get your exercise when you are out exploring, it’s a nice walk to the park. Be forewarned: It is a bit far if you’re not in the mood for walking or the weather isn’t on your side.
The 100 yen buses do run out that way though so make sure you use one of my best tips for trips around Japan and check out the tourism information booth once you get into town. You’ll be able to see the 100 yen bus routes and get an idea for the schedule. From Hirosaki Train Station they run about every 10 minutes.
For a little more confidence, you can read this guide about using buses in Japan for tips. Personally, when I first got to Japan they made me super nervous!
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