This is a private guided tour report by Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.), a network of 1,000+ government-licensed, English-speaking local guides across all 47 prefectures of Japan. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Tour Itinerary
- ear Michael Clark and Susan Soukoulis
- Welcome to Aomori !
- 【Hirosaki Tour】 12th September 2024
- ～Itinerary ～
- Aomori city is the capital city of the Aomori prefecture with 280,000
- population, connecting Tokyo and Aomori by the Shinkansen, or bullet train in 3
- hours or 1 hour flight.
- < Proposal Itinerary>
- 8:30 Meeting at the Toyoko Inn Aomori Ekimae.
- 9:04 To the Hirosaki by JR express train.
- 9:38 Hirosaki station arrive. To Saishouin Temple by taxi.
- 10:00 – 10:40 Saishouin Temple and Five-storied Pagoda.
- To Hirosaki park by taxi.
- 10:50 – 11:50 Hirosaki park – Hirosaki castle.
- （Admission fee: 310 yen/one-person)
- 11:50 To Hirosaki station by taxi.
- 12:24 To Aomori by JR train.
- 13:12 Aomori arrive.
Tour Itinerary in Detail
Over the course of the day the route took in To the Hirosaki by JR express train. at 9:04, Hirosaki station arrive. To Saishouin Temple by taxi. at 9:38, Saishouin Temple and Five-storied Pagoda. at 10:00, Hirosaki park – Hirosaki castle. at 10:50, To Hirosaki station by taxi. at 11:50, To Aomori by JR train. at 12:24 and Aomori arrive. at 13:12.
Travel between the sites was by public transport: JR Ou Line, Aomori Station → Hirosaki Station, Ticket: 680 yen & Limited Express ticket: 520 yen to JR Ou Line, Hirosaki Station → Aomori Station, Ticket: 680 yen & Limited Express ticket: 520 yen by train (2,400JPY). Across 1 sections the fare came to 2,400JPY per person.
What Is a Private Guided Tour of Hirosaki Like? A Licensed Guide's Report
[Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.)](https://www.j-g-a.org/) guide KUDO led a private tour of Hirosaki for guests visiting from Oceania in September. The tour covered Saishoin Temple, Hirosaki Castle, and the Tsugaru-han Neputa Village. The guests shared that summer temperatures in their home region can reach as high as 48 degrees Celsius, with 40 degrees being common.
After a cruise around Japan, the guests were enjoying a journey using a JR Pass (about 80,000 yen per person for two weeks, valid for non-reserved shinkansen seats, and more expensive than the previous year). Their route ran from Sapporo to Hakodate, Aomori, Morioka, and Aizu-Wakamatsu, before returning home in late September. Why Aomori? "We heard from a friend about the beauty of the cherry blossoms in Hirosaki. We wanted to avoid the crowds and noise of places like Kyoto and Osaka, which are affected by overtourism, and visit a quiet regional city instead."
As I walked with a limp, one of the guests kindly asked, "Are you all right?" and shared some encouraging advice from personal experience, suggesting that it can be beneficial to have such procedures done at a younger age.
At Saishoin Temple, the guests remarked, "What a peaceful moment this is! We're so glad we came to Aomori." At the Tsugaru-han Neputa Village, one of the guests saw a "red octopus neputa" and gave a lecture on the ecology of octopuses, and when we tried Aomori's soul food "igamenchi," went on to explain the ecology of squid — the difference between squid and cuttlefish, and more. I couldn't quite follow all of it, but I was grateful for the fascinating talk. When guiding guests of a similar generation to my own, we tend to get excited over shared topics. The guests said they would love to return during the cherry blossom festival season at Hirosaki Castle.
Click here for more details: Hirosaki Customized Half-Day Tour with Licensed Local Guide
Transportation cost per person
| No. | Transportation | Route | Fare |
| Section 1 | Train | JR Ou Line, Aomori Station → Hirosaki Station, Ticket: 680 yen & Limited Express ticket: 520 yen～JR Ou Line, Hirosaki Station → Aomori Station, Ticket: 680 yen & Limited Express ticket: 520 yen | 2,400JPY |
| Total | 2,400JPY | ||
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places does this itinerary cover?
This tour visited To the Hirosaki by JR express train., Hirosaki station arrive. To Saishouin Temple by taxi., Saishouin Temple and Five-storied Pagoda., Hirosaki park – Hirosaki castle. , To Hirosaki station by taxi., To Aomori by JR train. and Aomori arrive..
How much did transport cost on this tour?
Public transport came to 2,400JPY per person across 1 sections. Transport fares are paid by the guests and are not included in the guiding fee.
Is the guide licensed, and what language is the tour in?
Tomohiko is a government-licensed national guide-interpreter of Japan and guided this tour in English. Japan Guide Agency (JGA Inc.) works with more than 1,000 licensed guides across all 47 prefectures. Not affiliated with the Japan Guide Association.
Can the itinerary be changed for my own trip?
Yes. This report describes one private tour as it actually ran. Every Aomori itinerary is built around the guests, so the places, the pace and the starting point can all be changed before the tour.
My name is Tomohiko Kudo.
I live in Aomori city.
I already visited more than 30 nations so far.
After official retirement from the public officer, I could have the Japanese Government Licensed Guide Certificate and am nowadays very pleased to guide overseas tourists all over the world.
Did you know that the Fuji apple is not from Mt.Fuji…but is actually from Aomori Prefecture’ Fujisaki town. Aomori is proud of the biggest apple product in
Japan. We provide 40 apple-pie restaurants to guests.
Let’s enjoy real Japanese culture and history with me. I would enjoy with you real Samuri history, Kimono culture, local traditional festivals, castle,
Japanese garden, temple, shrine, Japanese tea ceremony, food and Sake.
I often go to the local sea food and vegetable markets and eat fresh foods and would love to show you some secret, hidden restaurants that only Aomori locals know about – let’s go on an adventure together.
If you like sushi and fresh seafood, let me introduce to Nokkedon ?
What is it? Come to Aomori and find out! I am waiting for you.
Jun 2, 2025
413maryannb
Tomohiko organized our day beautifully! The car was immaculate, the driver skilled. We thoroughly enjoyed our day!
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day…
Jun 2, 2025
413maryannb
Tomohiko organized our day beautifully! The car was immaculate, the driver skilled. We thoroughly enjoyed our day!
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Thank you for a great day in Aomori it was our last stop and most memorable! The Cherry
blossoms were beautiful! The Apple tarts divine.
Apr 30, 2025
Jacqueline_F
Great Guide, great tour
Viator review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
We experienced the wonderful sites of Aomori which…
Apr 30, 2025
Jacqueline_F
Great Guide, great tour
Viator review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
We experienced the wonderful sites of Aomori which was a surprise in many ways. Despite
the rainy day we were enchanted by the cherry blossoms in full bloom by the old castle.
Once area was prettier than another. The floats and their history were amazing.
Dec 30, 2024
Scenic33296385055
Warm and professional guide
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Mr. Kudo-san is very professional, meticulate and kind…
Dec 30, 2024
Scenic33296385055
Warm and professional guide
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
Mr. Kudo-san is very professional, meticulate and kind hearted guide. The whole tour I felt like I was travelling with a fried. Me made me comfortable instantly. Very knowledgeable and patient in explaining stuff to me. I am vegetarian and he made sure my needs were met. He went above and beyond. There was a record snowfall in Aomori, taxi’s and buses were busy , we walked all the way and saw everything. I would highly recommend him to anyone wanting an expert and warm guide for Aomori. I whish him all the best.
Aug 3, 2024
Monika R
Fun and informative tour – great tour guide!
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
We were 3…
Aug 3, 2024
Monika R
Fun and informative tour – great tour guide!
Tripadvisor review: Aomori Full-Day Private Trip with Government-Licensed Guide
We were 3 generations and all had so much fun with our tour guide Tomohiko. He was very informative and picked interesting places for us to visit including some shrines & museums. He took us to sample some of Aomori’s delicious apples and we had a wonderful lunch in a quint family restaurant. We met some lovely people. It was a fabulous experience we will not forget. Thank you!!