Hirosaki

In summer 2013 I visited Aomori prefecture in northern Japan, starting with the historical castle town of Hirosaki.

The view from the bullet train

A festival float in the tourist information centre

The first day I just strolled around Hirosaki Park, relaxing in the green surroundings and comfortably warm weather. I also took a (very quick) look around inside the small castle building.

Greenery in Hirosaki Park

Hirosaki Park

Hirosaki Castle

The castle moat

The next morning I went to Fujita Memorial Garden, a traditional landscaped stroll garden. With its lawns, miniature lake and classical bridges, this was another peaceful place to walk around and take in the scenery, as people have been doing for decades.

Fujita Memorial Garden

Fujita Memorial Garden

Fujita Memorial Garden

Fujita Memorial Garden

Fujita Memorial Garden

In the afternoon I visited the temple district in the southern part of the town. There are two streets with fully 33 shrines and temples rubbing shoulders with each other, and sharing a large forest graveyard, almost silent except for the cawing of the crows in the treetops.

Fierce guardians at Saisho-in temple

On the way from Saisho-in to the temple streets, there's this

Buddhist statues at one of the temples

The forest graveyard

Guardian lions at one of the temples

The main gate at the temple at the end of the street

I was staying in a beautiful, atmospheric old Japanese inn, and went out for dinner at an izakaya known for its local specialties.

My room at the inn

Local specialties: apple liqueur, pickles, egg and seafood cooked in the shell

Lanterns in the izakaya