| Japanese | Korean | E-mail |    Attractions Hirosaki Castle Hirosaki Castle was completed in 1611 and housed several generations of lord of the Tsugaru Clan. Surrounded by three concentric moats, earhern fortifications and 49.2 hectares of pine woods. The remains of the castle include five castle gates, three corner keeps and a castle tower. After the original five-storied tower was struck by lighting and burned down, it was replaced by the current three-storied sturcture. Hirosaki City Sightseeing Information Center A good starting point for sightseeing in Hirosaki and the surrounding Tsugaru region, the center is located in the Otemon Square next to Hirosaki Park. Informaion about availibility of lodging and places to visit can be obtained here. The center is also houses a restaurant, a shop featuring souvenirs and local products and a display of traditional local crafts. Float Pavilion (Dashi Tenjikan) The Float pavilion displays elaborate floats which exemplify the traditional merchant culture. Beginnig in 1682, these floats were pulled through town by groups of young men from each neighborhood. The floats themselves had their origins in the portable Shinto shrines used in local festivals centered around the Hachiman Shrine.It is also said that these floats in turn went on to influence the style of the Neputa Festival floats. Choshoji Temple and Zen Temple Area Choshoji Temple, the family temple of the Tsugaru clan, was moved and built as its present location in 1610. At that time, in order to better control the districts to the southwest of Hirosaki Castle, 32 other temples within the Tsugaru clan's territory were also brought to Hirosaki, forming the Zen Temple's Area. Within the Choshoji Temple precinct, there is the Sanmon two-storied gate. Historical House Preservation Area More than any other part of the city, this area retains the atmosphere of the castle town of old. The Ishiba Shop was a purveyor of straw products and household goods to the Tsugaru clan. A stroll about this area sffords the visitor a glimpse into times past.. Five Storied Pagoda (Gojunoto) More than ten years in the completion, the 31.2m tall Gojunoto was built in the mid-17th century to comfort the souls of warriors who had deid in the service of the Tsugaru clan. Gojunoto was heavily damaged by a typhoon in 1991. Repairs and restoration were completed in 1994 so that it once again graces the town. Neputa Village In this large building, which is a remodeled miso (fermented bean paste) warehouse, are exhibited many examples, big and small, of the floats used in the Neputa Festival. There are also demonstraions of the production of local folkcrafts and visitors can try their hand at making some of them. Hirosaki Church - United Church of Christ in Japan - The church was established in Hirosaki in 1875 and the current building is its third home. The Gothic twin towers are reminiscent of Notre Dame. The inside of the church may be viewed by appoinment from 10 - 5 Mon., Tues., Thurs., and Fri. Former Hirosaki City Library (Kyu Shiritu Toshokan) This Renaissance-style building, completed in 1906, was donated to the city to commemorate Japan's victory in the Russo-Japanese war and was used for many years as the city library.