Japan 2024 – Day 10: Aomori – Hirosaki & Aomori

Across both Hirosaki and the wider Aomori Prefecture, apples are not only an agricultural product but a defining regional identity, with the prefecture accounting for the majority of Japan’s production. This post groes through what we did on our last of three days in Hirosaki, from wandering the grounds of the Hirosaki Ringo Park to transiting onward to Aomori City.

Hirosaki Ringo Park

Terasawa-125 Shimizutomita, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8262, Japan

Hirosaki Ringo Park sits on the outskirts of Hirosaki, combining working orchards with curated displays that trace the region’s long relationship with apple cultivation. The park reflects how apple growing, introduced in the late nineteenth century, became embedded in the local economy and seasonal rhythms. Across both Hirosaki and the wider Aomori Prefecture, apples are not only an agricultural product but a defining regional identity, with the prefecture accounting for the majority of Japan’s production.

Within the park, one encounters orchard walks, tasting counters, and small-scale workshops that move from raw fruit to processed goods such as juice, cider, and confectionery.

Ringo no Ie

Gift Shop

Taste Testing

At Ringo no Ie, four cultivars were offerred for tasting.

Mutsu presented a firm initial bite but broke down into a slightly mealy texture, with acidity leading and sweetness remaining muted.
Hokuto was markedly crisper, carrying a direct, clean sweetness with minimal acidity.
Aika no Kaori shifted the profile toward aromatics, with a floral note emerging mid-bite and extending through the finish, supported by moderate sweetness.
Sun Fuji sat between these points, balancing sweetness and acidity with a steady crispness, though with less aromatic lift than Aika no Kaori; this was the selection taken.

Summary: Hokuto for clarity, Aika no Kaori for aroma, Sun Fuji for balance; Mutsu less compelling due to texture.

Experiential Education Field

On the day, apple picking (Sun Fuji) was available without an entry fee, with payment calculated by the weight of fruit harvested.

Apple House Cafe

Review: Apple House Cafe, Hirosaki

Ringo Room

Apple Around the World

Traditional Crafts

Glasswork

The History of the Knife

American Goods

Picnic Area

Monuments

Furusato-no-Hana Apple Blossom

Ringo Oiwake Monument

Star King Monument

Mt Suribachi

Dwarfed Apple Field

Fuji x Kinsei Grafted Apple Tree

Apple Orchard

Sekaiichi

Chiyuki

Mutsu

Newton’s Tree

Senshuu

Tsugaru

Ourin

Jonathan

Shinano Sweet

Fuji

Malus Asiatica Nakai

Ralls Janet

Indo

Kinsei

Hoshi no Kinka

Flower of Kent

Ornamental Apple Orchard

Maple

Malus fusca

Malus Transitoria

Malus Sargentii Rehder

Kōyō Apple

Malus x ‘Hillier’

Malus x ‘Hopa’

Malus halliana Koehne

Malus x ‘Dolgo’

Malus mandshurica

Malus x ‘American Beauty’

Pink Pearl

Geneva

Former Osanai House

Hirosaki > Aomori

From Hirosaki, rail connections to Aomori are direct and reliable via JR services, typically taking around 40–50 minutes.

Aomori

Hotel Mystays Aomori Station

HOTEL MYSTAYS Aomori Station, Shinmachi 1-8-6 , Japan, Aomori, 030-0801, Japan

At Hotel Mystays Aomori Station, the foyer held a noticeable heat on entry, contrasting with the more controlled environment within guest rooms. Each room was fitted with a split-system air conditioner, allowing precise temperature adjustment independent of central settings.

The room itself followed a modern layout, incorporating a separate shower room rather than a combined bath-shower configuration, removing the need for shower curtains and improving usability. Despite a compact footprint, the space was efficiently organised, with sufficient clearance and storage to accommodate luggage without obstruction.

Textiles were consistently well maintained: towels were fresh with a soft, full pile; the mattress sat on the firmer side with stable support; and both linen and sheets presented clean, contemporary finishes.

Okinaya

おきな屋新町本店, 1F Fujita Building, 1 Chome−8−2, Shinmachi, Aomori 030-0801, Japan

Review: Okinaya Tawawa

Review: Okinaya Kuri Hiroi

Review: Okinaya Usu Kurenai

A-Factory

A-Factory, 1 Chome-4-2 Yanakawa, Aomori, 038-0012, Japan

Near Aomori Station, A-FACTORY consolidates the prefecture’s apple output into a single complex, where juices, ciders, and sweets are produced, sampled, and sold in a contemporary, market-style setting.