掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Hirosaki Castle

弘前城

Aomori · Tohoku

Hirosaki Castle is one of only twelve original castle keeps surviving in Japan, a compact three-storey tower of 1611 set within moats, stone ramparts and turrets in western Aomori. The surrounding park is open all year. Its roughly 2,600 cherry trees make it one of the country's most celebrated blossom sites, usually peaking in late April.