Hirosaki, Goshogawara, and Nishi-Tsugaru (Hirosaki City, Kuroishi City, Goshogawara City, Ajigasawa-machi, Fukaura-machi, and Nishimeya-mura, Aomori Pref.)

Built about 400 years ago, Hirosaki Castle is located within the grounds of Hirosaki Park. There are about 2,600 cherry trees in the park, providing a splendid view in the spring when they all bloom at once, and accordingly, the park is a prominent cherry blossom spot in Japan.

The Goshogawara Tachineputa Festival is held every year for five days in the early part of August. The three large floats are 22 meters tall and weigh 16 tons, and they are paraded in the streets with other smaller floats.

In the Edo Period (1704) a strong earthquake hit this area, and it is thought that the earthquake stopped the mountain streams draining the region, causing the basin to collapse, forming many small lakes. The photograph on the left shows Aoike Pond, a good example of the ponds and small lakes that form Juniko.

This is a rare apple, as not only the skin, but also the inside and the flowers are red. At present, processed food products have been developed, featuring the fresh red color in special juice, wine, jam, and flower tea products.

Shayokan, the home of the modern author Osamu Dazai, was built in 1907. At the memorial hall, you will find about 600 objects from the authors age, including a cloak he wore and the pen he used to write his novels. The year 2009 will mark the 100th anniversary of his birth in 1909.

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