Japan Travel Guide: Hirosaki Castle Cherry Blossom Festival and Sukayu Onsen in Aomori, North Japan
[Music] In this video, we are taking a short and sweet trip up to Almori Prefecture to check out the cherry blossoms and soak in a historic hotring. First things first, we are getting to Almori City and we are getting the freshest seafood, the Almori noong. [Music] Next door is a factory and here you can get apple pie, apple ice cream, apple desserts, apple cider, apple everything. Timing your trip with the blossoming of the Sakura, the cherry blossoms is really a hit or miss. It’s been really cold lately, so instead of seeing the cherry blossom festival on day one, we’re going to save that for day two and pray that it gets warmer in the meantime. Now, we’re heading to our accommodation, Skyu Onen. [Music] The hotring was discovered over 300 years ago, and the bath house and inn have been in operation for about a hundred years. So, the building and the room that we were staying in was pretty old. You can soak in the history and the baths, which are pretty acidic, so be careful if you have sensitive skin. Also, the main bath is a mixed gender bath, so keep your eyes on the architecture. Next, we’re going to Toada Lake and Toada Shrine. Along the way, we’re going to take a scenic drive and drive along oasu [Applause] [Music] all the way along the stream. It’s absolutely beautiful. The water, the trees, the rocks, they all come together in this beautiful composition. It kind of reminds me of the art bioteas. Next, we’re visiting Toada Lake and Toada Shrine. Toota shrine is nestled in the lakeside forest and you can sense this strong spiritual energy as you make your way towards the main hall. The weather was pretty cold and rainy, but thankfully the weather got warmer and sunnier as we made our way back to Hiroaki Castle. [Music] Just in time for lunch right beside the castle grounds. And we can see the cherry blossoms while we eat and take a walk right after. [Music] For apple pie lovers, Hiasaki City has a map just for apple pie. The apple pie guide map. We are going to be using this to scout out the best apple pies. [Music] Is four apple pies in two days a lot? All right, so I hope this gives you some insight and some spots that you might want to check out in Almori. And I hope to see you in the next video. Cheers. [Music]
Shot on Fujifilm X-H1
Locations:
Aomori Gyosai Center (Aomori Nokkedon)
青森魚菜センター
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fpVQeDecs9jPnxrB9
A-FACTORY
エーファクトリー
https://maps.app.goo.gl/85t9HgLsNHgTXzyJ8
Sukayu Onsen Ryokan
酸ヶ湯温泉旅館
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zexnY8dSTbQo4rWcA
Oirase Gorge
奥入瀬渓流
https://maps.app.goo.gl/AYUNiJ9dyRvaGtJx6
Towada Shrine
十和田神社
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5wMscUeJEQRcrbzq9
Sakuraya
桜家
Buffet Restaurant
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4VWogm3LH4pVLs2x5
Hirosaki Castle
弘前城
https://maps.app.goo.gl/McW8kCq8fR8KEoLw6
A-FACTORY Hirosaki
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4N9HVXL2mySERj8u5
PÂTISSERIE FOUR
パティスリーフール早稲田店
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nYQq8VrzsJav69X58
Tea Lounge Eau Clair
ティーラウンジ オークレール
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7cADqJvy8ErCLGzj9
Dessert Shop
デザートショップ
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7FZVK1mNX6f5gzZbA
Hirosaki Apple Pie Guide Map
https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/individual/admin_foreign_lang/apgmen.pdf
Join us on a 1-night, spring getaway to Aomori Prefecture, where we chase cherry blossoms, soak in historic hot springs, and sample some of Japan’s best apple pies. Our trip kicks off in Aomori City with a visit to the nokkedon market, where we build our own seafood bowls with the freshest local catches. Right next door, we dive into apple heaven at A-Factory—apple cider, soft serve, and our first pie of the trip. With the Hirosaki Apple Pie Guide Map in hand, we set off to find the area’s top pies while waiting on the unpredictable northern spring weather to bring the sakura to life. A cold snap delayed the blossoms, so we detoured to the mountains and checked into Sukayu Onsen, a 300-year-old hot spring known for its acidic waters and massive mixed-gender bathhouse. The wooden architecture and rustic vibe feel untouched by time. We continued our journey along the scenic Oirase Stream, a lush riverside drive leading to serene Towada Lake and the mystical Towada Shrine, nestled deep in the forest. As the skies cleared, we enjoyed lunch at Sakuraya’s buffet before heading to the iconic Hirosaki Castle Cherry Blossom Festival. The blossoms bloomed just in time for our visit to the castle grounds. Throughout the trip, we taste-tested four different apple pies, from classic crusts to delicate French-style patisserie, making this a deliciously memorable journey. Whether you’re into food, nature, or culture, this Aomori itinerary packs a lot into just two days—perfect for a relaxed but inspiring escape from Tokyo or beyond.
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