Access and Orientation

How to travel between Hirosaki and Tokyo

By train

Take a Hayabusa train along the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori (3.5 hours) and transfer to a local train to Hirosaki (30-40 minutes). The entire one way trip takes around 4.5 hours, costs about 18,000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass. Seat reservations are mandatory on Hayabusa trains between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori. There is about one connection per hour.

By air

JAL operates multiple flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Aomori Airport. Flight duration is 85 minutes. The regular one way fare is around 38,000 yen, however, discount tickets are typically available for around 10,000 to 17,000 yen. A bus runs between Aomori Airport and Hirosaki (station and bus terminal), taking one hour and costing 1200 yen.

By bus

Various companies operate daytime and overnight highway buses between Tokyo and Aomori, which stop along the way at Hirosaki. The one way journey takes 9-10 hours and costs 4000 to 9000 yen depending on the date of travel (some of the more comfortable overnight buses may cost a little more). Online reservation for some of the buses can be made via Willer.

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How to travel between Hirosaki and Osaka

By train

Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station) to Tokyo (2.5 hours), transfer to the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori Station (3.5 hours) and finally take a local train to Hirosaki (30-40 minutes). The entire one way trip takes around 7.5 hours and costs about 27,000 yen. It is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass if using a Hikari train between Osaka and Tokyo (a supplement fee is required on Nozomi trains). Seat reservations are mandatory on Hayabusa trains between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori.

By air

JAL operates multiple flights per day between Osaka's Itami Airport and Aomori Airport. Flight duration is 95 minutes. The regular one way fare is around 46,000 yen, while discount tickets are typically available for around 14,000 to 20,000 yen. A bus runs between Aomori Airport and Hirosaki (station and bus terminal), which takes one hour and costs 1200 yen.

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How to travel between Hirosaki and Kyoto

By train

Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo (2.5 hours), transfer to the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori Station (3.5 hours) and finally take a local train to Hirosaki (30-40 minutes). The entire one way trip takes around seven hours and costs about 27,000 yen. It is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass if using a Hikari train between Kyoto and Tokyo (a supplement fee is required on Nozomi trains). Seat reservations are mandatory on Hayabusa trains between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori.

By air

JAL operates multiple flights per day between Osaka's Itami Airport near Kyoto and Aomori Airport. Flight duration is 95 minutes. The regular one way fare is around 46,000 yen, while discount tickets are typically available for around 14,000 to 20,000 yen. A bus runs between Aomori Airport and Hirosaki (station and bus terminal), taking one hour and costing 1200 yen.

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How to travel between Hirosaki and Aomori

By train

Hirosaki and Aomori are connected by hourly departing trains along the JR Ou Line. The one way trip takes about 45 minutes, costs 680 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass. Alternatively, there are infrequent JR limited express trains along the same route that are slightly faster, but cost an additional 520 yen for an unreserved seat or an additional 1050 yen for a reserved seat.

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How to travel between Hirosaki and Tokyo

By train

Take a Hayabusa train along the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori (3.5 hours) and transfer to a local train to Hirosaki (30-40 minutes). The entire one way trip takes around 4.5 hours, costs about 18,000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass. Seat reservations are mandatory on Hayabusa trains between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori. There is about one connection per hour.

By air

JAL operates multiple flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Aomori Airport. Flight duration is 85 minutes. The regular one way fare is around 38,000 yen, however, discount tickets are typically available for around 10,000 to 17,000 yen. A bus runs between Aomori Airport and Hirosaki (station and bus terminal), taking one hour and costing 1200 yen.

By bus

Various companies operate daytime and overnight highway buses between Tokyo and Aomori, which stop along the way at Hirosaki. The one way journey takes 9-10 hours and costs 4000 to 9000 yen depending on the date of travel (some of the more comfortable overnight buses may cost a little more). Online reservation for some of the buses can be made via Willer.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.

Getting around

Hirosaki's main attractions are all located close to or within Hirosaki Park, which lies a 10-15 minute bus ride or a 30 minute walk west of Hirosaki Station.

The Dotemachi Loop Bus is a convenient, tourist-oriented bus line that stops at Hirosaki Station and many of Hirosaki's attractions, including Hirosaki Park. It operates every ten minutes in a clockwise direction. One ride costs 100 yen, while a day pass for unlimited rides on one calendar day is available for 500 yen.

In addition to the Dotemachi Loop Bus, there are a few other 100 yen loop bus lines, but they operate considerably less frequently. Furthermore, there is a network of regular city buses, which are less easy to use and more expensive, but can be faster than the loop buses.

Rental bicycles are another convenient means of getting around. From April to November, they can be rented for 500 yen per day between 9:00 and 16:00 from Hirosaki Station or the Otemon Square. Electric bicycles are available for 1000 yen per day.

Questions? Ask in our forum.