Hirosaki Castle

In 1588, Tsugaru Tamenobu, the first lord of the Hirosaki domain, achieved independence from the Nanbu clan and unified the Tsugaru region. Following this, Tamenobu decided to build a new castle to govern the Tsugaru area, choosing the present location of Hirosaki. This is said to have occurred in 1603. At that time, the area was known by its old name, Takaoka (or Takauka).

▶ The Castle Construction Plan
The construction plan progressed slowly, and Tamenobu sadly passed away in Kyoto in 1607 without seeing its completion. The second lord, Nobumai, who inherited his father’s will, completed Takaoka Castle in 1611. Initially, Takaoka Castle featured a five-story main keep. The stone walls that currently remain at the site are from what was once the foundation of that main keep. However, in 1627, the five-story keep was lost to a fire. The area’s name was changed to Hirosaki the following year, which was said to hold a protective meaning.

▶ The Main Keep Leading to the Present
For a long time thereafter, Hirosaki Castle stood without a main keep, as the shogunate did not grant permission for its reconstruction. The three-story keep that remains today was built in 1810 during the reign of the ninth lord of Hirosaki, Neichin. It is believed to have been constructed by dismantling the existing Tatsuimi Yagura on the same site. The reason for the shogunate's approval for the new keep is generally attributed to the Hirosaki domain being recognized for its contribution to the defense of Ezo (present-day Hokkaido) a few years prior, and concerns over Russian ships traversing the Tsugaru Strait.

Additionally, this structure was primarily a substitute for the main keep and was referred to as “Omi Sangai Yagura” at that time.

▶ The Current Main Keep
Though relatively modern, the eastern and southern sides of the moat do not feature iron doors and only have arrow slits, while the first and second floors have projections in the center and include gabled roofs and stone drops, reflecting older architectural styles. Furthermore, while the base has a floor plan of 5 ken by 6 ken, each successive floor (second and third) reduces by one ken, which is said to create a grand impression of height when viewed from the Ninomaru side.

Conversely, the northern and western sides visible from the inner castle do not have gables or arrow slits, and the windows are larger to allow ample light. As the only existing main keep constructed during the Edo period in the Tohoku region, it is considered representative among castle keeps nationwide, despite its smaller scale.

Currently relocated to the temporary keep's foundation, exhibits related to the Hirosaki Castle main keep relocation project are mainly displayed. Admission is free, but separate charges apply for entry into the castle's main area.