Apple Picking in Hirosaki: Japan's Best Orchard Experience 
You reach up, twist gently, and a perfect red apple drops into your palm. Around you, row after row of apple trees stretch toward the horizon — and beyond them, the snow-capped peak of Mount Iwaki floats above the orchard like something out of a woodblock print. The air smells of fruit and cool northern air. You've been in Japan for days, maybe weeks, and somehow this is the moment that feels most real.
This is Hirosaki Apple Park. It draws visitors from across East Asia — Singapore, Taiwan, and beyond — yet it remains almost completely off the radar for Western travelers.
Why Hirosaki?
Aomori Prefecture produces more apples than anywhere else in Japan — by a significant margin. And within Aomori, Hirosaki is the heart of it. The city has been growing apples for over 150 years, and the craft shows. When you bite into a Hirosaki apple, you notice the density first: firm, dense flesh with a balance of sweetness and acidity that has made Japanese apples famous worldwide.
Most foreign travelers who visit this part of Japan come for the cherry blossoms in spring — Hirosaki Castle is one of the most photographed sakura spots in the country. Far fewer make it back in autumn, which is a shame, because the apple season transforms the city in an entirely different way. The castle grounds are still beautiful, but the orchards are something else entirely.
What Is Hirosaki Apple Park?
Opened in 2002 as a way for visitors to connect directly with Hirosaki's apple-growing culture, the park sits on about 9.7 hectares of land on the western edge of the city. It's not a farm in the traditional sense — the land is owned by the City of Hirosaki and managed by the Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Association, staffed by knowledgeable guides, and free to enter year-round. Think of it as a living museum of Japanese apple culture, with actual trees you can touch, pick from, and eat around.
The scale is impressive: 80 varieties of apple across approximately 2,300 trees. The park was designed to showcase the full breadth of Japanese apple cultivation — from well-known export varieties to regional types rarely seen outside of Aomori.
The Apple Picking Experience
From early August through mid-November, the park offers a hands-on apple picking (もぎとり) experience. It works simply: you pay by weight for what you pick, guided by park staff through the orchard at 30-minute intervals. The current rate is ¥100 per 100g (guide fee included), and the final session of the day begins at 16:00.
The variety of apples changes throughout the season — early summer varieties give way to richer autumn picks as October approaches. Here's a rough guide to what's available when:
| Month | Varieties |
|---|---|
| August | Koizora (恋空), Natsu Midori, Kioh, Miki Life |
| September | Tsugaru, Wa Se Fuji, Toki |
| October | Kogyoku, Sekai-ichi, Hokuto, Jona Gold, Mutsu |
| November | Fuji, Orin, Kinsei |
Available varieties shift year to year depending on harvest conditions, so if you have a particular variety in mind, it's worth contacting the park in advance to confirm what's available during your visit.
A few practical notes: the apples you pick are weighed and purchased at the park's main building (Ringo no Ie) before eating — picking and eating before payment isn't permitted. Once purchased, you're welcome to enjoy them anywhere on the park grounds; bins are provided, or take your waste with you. Group tours that pay in advance before entering the orchard may eat right after picking — check with staff when you arrive. Groups of 10 or more need to reserve in advance.
What to Eat and Take Home
The park's main building, Ringo no Ie (Apple House), stocks around 1,200 apple-related items — apple confectionery, dried apple, apple vinegar, apple-dyed textiles, and ceramics with apple motifs. Some are novelty items; many are genuinely excellent local products you won't find in Tokyo department stores.
The light-meal corner serves apple curry, apple sundae, and apple juice. Rather than a single house juice, the shop runs a tasting of five different apple juices from local producers — if you're visiting in season, working through all five is one of the better ways to understand just how different the varieties can taste. The most obvious thing to take home is the apple you picked yourself, but the shop's selection offers plenty of alternatives that travel well.
How to Get There
Hirosaki Apple Park is located about 20 minutes by car from central Hirosaki. The most convenient options:
- Route bus: From Hirosaki Station bus terminal, take the Konan Bus toward Soma or Nishimeyamura (~20 min) to Tokiwazaka-guchi stop, then walk 7 minutes. Buses from 9:00–15:00 stop directly inside the park grounds.
- By car: From Owani-Hirosaki IC via Apple Road, approximately 20 minutes. Free parking available.
- Address: 弘前市大字清水富田字寺沢125番地
- Phone: 0172-36-7439
- Hours: 9:00–17:00 (Ringo no Ie); grounds accessible outside these hours
- Admission: Free
- Open: Year-round
- Website: city.hirosaki.aomori.jp/ringopark
FAQ
When is the best time to visit for apple picking?
October is generally considered the peak month — the season is at its fullest and the foliage around the orchard adds to the atmosphere. The picking season runs from early August through mid-November, with different varieties available at different times.
Do I need a reservation?
Individual visitors don't need a reservation — just show up at the Ringo no Ie building from 9:00 onward. Groups of 10 or more should contact the park in advance.
How much does it cost?
Entry to the park is free. Apple picking costs ¥100 per 100g, with the guide fee included.
Can I eat the apples in the orchard?
The apples you pick are weighed and paid for at the main building, Ringo no Ie — eating before weighing isn't permitted. Once you've paid, you're welcome to enjoy your apples anywhere within the park grounds (just use the bins provided or take your waste with you). Group tours that pay before entering the orchard may eat directly after picking — confirm with staff at the time of your visit.
Is this suitable for children?
Very much so. The park has play equipment, open picnic areas, and the picking experience is easy for young children to enjoy.
How far is Hirosaki from Tokyo?
The Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori takes about 3 hours, then a local train to Hirosaki adds roughly 35 minutes.
More to Explore at the Park
Thinning Experiences (摘花・摘果)
Beyond apple picking in autumn, the park also offers hands-on thinning experiences earlier in the season. Flower thinning (摘花) runs from May until the blossoms fall; fruit thinning (摘果) follows in June through early July as the flowers turn to fruit. These require advance reservations for both groups and individuals.
Tsugaru Mukashibanashi (津軽昔語り)
On weekends and public holidays from April through November, the park hosts traditional Tsugaru storytelling performances at the historic Osamachi Residence (旧小山内家住宅). Sessions run at 11:00 and 13:00, each lasting about an hour — a quiet, unhurried way to sit with local history.
Kimori Cider Works
Located within the park grounds, Kimori is a craft cider brewery producing small-batch ciders from locally grown Hirosaki apples. Kimori is operated independently by Hyakushodo Honpo Co., Ltd. For visiting hours, tastings, and tours, contact Kimori directly: kimori-cider.com
Is there English support at the park?
Staff use translation apps to assist visitors. English-language pamphlets are not currently in stock, though the park hopes to restock later in the year. The picking experience itself is easy to follow regardless — the process is hands-on and largely self-explanatory with guidance from park staff.
ℹ️ Information current as of April 2026. Apple picking dates and available varieties change depending on the season and harvest conditions — always check the official park website or call ahead before your visit.
Comments
Post a Comment