During the Edo Period, Hirosaki (弘前) was the political and cultural capital of the Tsugaru Region, the western section of present day Aomori Prefecture. The city remains one of the culturally richest cities in the northern Tohoku Region.
Hirosaki developed around its castle, Hirosaki Castle. Several thousand cherry trees are planted around the castle grounds, which become one of Japan’s most spectacular cherry blossom spots typically from late April to early May.
Mount Iwaki is a compound volcano located in the southwest portion of the Tsugaru Plain. The mountain has a conical shape with three peaks. Standing 1,625 meters high, it is the highest mountain in the prefecture.
In 1975, it was designated as the 50th national park. Sometime in June or July, a variety of primrose (known as Michinoku or Iwaki) that only grows on Mt. Iwaki comes to full bloom at around the 9th station.
The summit offers a panoramic view stretching as far as Matsumaezaki in Hokkaido. It overlooks the Hakkoda mountains, Gongenzaki and Jusanko of Tsugaru Peninsula, the gentle arc of Shichirinagahama, Ajigasawa and Oodose.
Alo Japan.