Tours/Aomori/Private Aomori Shore Excursion Hirosaki Castle and Apple Hill
Private Aomori Shore Excursion Hirosaki Castle and Apple Hill
4.9(8)Aomori6 hours
VIATOR4.9(8)
At a glance
Duration
6 hours
Price from
$589 / person
Rating
4.9 / 5 · 8 reviews
Languages
JA, EN
Group
Private
Cancellation
Free cancellation
Hotel pickup
Available
Confirmation
Instant
Prices checked on Sep 12, 2026
Description
Proud recipient of the 2026 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Award, placing us among the top 10% of experiences worldwide. Explore with our award-winning local team!
Please note that even if you select “Tour Language: English(written),” the driver speaks Japanese. Communication will be through a translation app, and tour information will be provided in advance.
Uncover the cultural treasures of Aomori on this private 6-hour shore excursion.
Depart from Aomori Port and travel comfortably to historic Hirosaki. Explore Hirosaki Park and Hirosaki Castle, then stroll through the peaceful Fujita Memorial Garden. Continue to Choshoji Temple and the impressive Saishoin Five-Story Pagoda, followed by a walk through the Western-style house district. The tour concludes at Namioka Roadside Station “Apple Hill,” where you can browse local products and apple-themed souvenirs. This private tour is ideal for cruise passengers, offering a relaxed pace.
Tour Options
6h Hirosaki Sedan up to 4pax
Sedan up to 4
Pickup included
6h Hirosaki - up to 9pax
Van
Pickup included
Itinerary
60 min
Hirosaki Park is one of Japan’s most famous castle parks, centered around the historic Hirosaki Castle. Surrounded by moats, stone walls, and seasonal scenery, the park is especially renowned for its cherry blossoms in spring and colorful foliage in autumn.
Pass by
It is in Hirosaki park
Admission not included40 min
Fujita Memorial Garden is a beautifully landscaped Japanese garden offering panoramic views of Hirosaki Castle and Mount Iwaki. The garden features a harmonious blend of traditional design, seasonal flowers, and tranquil walking paths.
30 min
Choshoji Temple is the family temple of the Tsugaru clan, the former rulers of the Hirosaki domain. Known for its solemn atmosphere and well-preserved temple buildings, it offers insight into the region’s samurai history.
40 min
The Saishoin Five-Story Pagoda is a striking Buddhist structure and one of the tallest wooden pagodas in the Tohoku region. It stands as an important symbol of Hirosaki’s spiritual heritage.
45 min
Namioka Roadside Station “Apple Hill” is a popular stop offering local specialties, fresh produce, and apple-themed products. It is an ideal place to purchase souvenirs and experience Aomori’s apple culture.
Highlights
Private transportation
Air-conditioned vehicle
Fuel surcharge
Parking Fees
What's included
Included
Private transportation
Air-conditioned vehicle
Fuel surcharge
Parking Fees
Not included
Fujita Memorial Garden - Pay on site
Hirosaki Castle - 320JPY
Choshoji Temple - 300JPY
Saishoin Temple & Five-Story Pagoda - 300JPY
Guide
Pickup Locations & Times
The driver will be waiting at the exit holding a sign with your name.
Traveller Ratings
4.9
8 reviews
5
7
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Frequently asked questions
How long does this tour take?
Private Aomori Shore Excursion Hirosaki Castle and Apple Hill lasts about 6 hours. The itinerary has 6 stops.
How much does this tour cost?
Prices start at $589 per person for this Aomori experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel this tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. The driver will be waiting at the exit holding a sign with your name. Pickup points include CONTACT_SUPPLIER_LATER, LOC-o0AXGEKPN4wJ9sIG0RAn5BefAcRW4G1f9Gtb+hYU//m74HagK8MIINWQK5bOeAu6.
What languages is this tour offered in?
The experience is available in JA, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 15 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(8)
E
Edward_H
August 3, 2026
Nebuta Japan
This is the way to tour and visit sites of interest. Our driver was on time and easily identified because we had communicated prior to our ships arrival. Having mobility challenges always presents issues but our driver assisted with wheelchair and knew exactly where to park for the shortest walks and safe slopes and access to venues. We saw everything we wanted to - a few hours at Hirosaki Castle and Park, botanical Gardens and the Fujita Memorial Garden. It was amazing to see all the work and engineering taking place to move the castle to its new location. Our driver was able to secure a volunteer docent who guided us through the park with English translation. Our driver spoke little English but knowing that ahead both he and I prepared and used translation apps to communicate. He also found for us an Army fort and museum with history of WWII and the impacts on soldiers and families. The day would not have been complete without stopping at Apple Hill for some treats and purchasing of Nebuta Festival shirts for tonight’s parade! Another great experience using Viator to arrange our shore excursions.
Operator response
Thank you so much for sharing such a detailed review! We’re especially happy to hear that our driver was able to assist with the wheelchair and make the sites more accessible and comfortable for you. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed Hirosaki Castle, the gardens, Apple Hill, and even the Nebuta Festival! We hope to welcome you back to Japan again soon!
S
Stacy_M
August 2, 2026
Peaceful and delightful viewing
Visiting Amori was absolutely beautiful. The temples, gardens, and museums offered a peaceful glimpse into the area’s culture. The drive was a bit long, and as travelers from America, we were surprised that the driver spoke no English. He didn’t say a word or acknowledge us, so we had no idea where we were going or what we were seeing. Once we understood what we were doing, the experience became amazing. If you’re seeking a calm, easy car ride that shows you around Amori, this excursion fits the bill.
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re glad that, once everything was understood, you were able to enjoy the beautiful temples, gardens, and museums of Aomori. We also appreciate your feedback regarding communication and will keep it in mind as we continue improving our tours. We hope to see you again on your next visit to Japan!
A
Alicia_A
June 12, 2026
Wonderful Experience!
This exscursion was exactly what I was looking for and met or exceeded all expectations. The itinerary is exactly as described and shown in the pictures. Well, I guess the castle is under construction, but still very interesting. What really makes it or breaks this experience is the driver you're given. Ours was Fujii and he was amazing. He was very friendly, used a translation device to speak to us in english, recommended a great restaurant, altered the itinerary to best fit our needs, and really allowed us to have a great time.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear the tour met your expectations.
We'll be sure to share your kind words with Fujii - he'll be delighted to know his friendliness, flexibility, and recommendations helped make your day so enjoyable.
Thank you for choosing our tour, and we hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Japan!
W
William_L
April 30, 2026
A little late for peak blossom time but
Blossoms on trees are difficult to schedule. Ensure you have phone translators organized as many drivers do not speak English. Our driver, Akio was excellent and escorted us around all the scheduled places. He was our personal photographer and did a great job at that too.
Operator response
Thank you very much for your thoughtful review! Cherry blossom timing can indeed be very difficult to predict, so we truly appreciate your understanding. We are also grateful for your helpful advice to future travelers regarding translation apps.
As noted on our product page, this service is operated by a Japanese-speaking driver, with translation apps used to support communication when needed. We are delighted to hear that Akio helped make your day enjoyable and memorable, and that you appreciated both his guidance and photography skills throughout the tour.
Thank you again for choosing our private tour service, and we hope to welcome you back to Japan again in the future!
J
Josh_K
April 27, 2026
Hirosaki castle!
We had a great port day in Aomori! Visited Hirosaki castle and park which were beautiful even though we missed peak Cherry blossoms by a few days it seemed. Our guide didn’t speak much English but we used a translator app which worked fine. A few misunderstanding but didn’t take away from our action packed day!
Operator response
Thank you very much for your lovely review! We are delighted to hear that you had a great port day in Aomori and enjoyed visiting Hirosaki Castle and Park. Even slightly after peak season, the cherry blossoms and scenery in the area can still be very beautiful, so we are happy you could experience that atmosphere.
We also appreciate your understanding regarding communication with the driver. As noted on our product page, this service is operated by a Japanese-speaking driver, with translation apps used to support communication when needed. We are glad to hear that, despite a few small misunderstandings, you were still able to enjoy such a fun and action-packed day.
Thank you again for choosing our private tour service, and we hope to welcome you back to Japan in the future!
M
Marie_J
April 12, 2026
Outstanding private tour of the Aomori area
An amazing private tour of the Aomori area. We were so pleased with our very attentive driver who shared many important sites. Such as the Hirotori Castle and temples of the area. We even stopped along the way for the local Fuji candied apples—yum! We also stopped for authentic Japanese cuisine for lunch. We were very pleased with our tour and highly recommend Viator private tours.
Operator response
Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your private tour in the Aomori area and that the driver helped make your day special and memorable. It is great to know that you enjoyed the local sights, temples, authentic Japanese cuisine, and even the famous Fuji candied apples along the way. Your kind recommendation means a lot to us, and we truly appreciate you choosing our private tour service during your visit to Japan. We hope to welcome you again in the future!
W
Woodinville_W
April 9, 2026
An easy way to see the area with help from a friendly local person.
We were 4 folks in our 70s who have some mobility and hearing problems. We found this tour for only a bit more money than signing the 4 of us up for a large HAL bus tour. Though the driver did not speak English, we communicated well using Google Translate. He would write things in Japanese on his phone and English that pretty much made sense showed up. We wrote things in English on our phone, and he understood the Japanese that came out. We actually did a bit less of a tour, because we move slowly so we could not cover everything on the itinerary in the 6 hours we had. He found us a great soba noodle shop in Hirosaki and helped with the ordering of the food. It was a great adventure.
Operator response
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and detailed review. We are truly happy to hear that you enjoyed your time in Hirosaki and that the private tour format worked comfortably for your group. We especially appreciate your kind understanding regarding communication with the driver and are glad that Google Translate helped everyone connect smoothly throughout the day.
We also understand that traveling at a relaxed pace is important, especially for comfort and enjoyment, and we are pleased the driver could adjust the day flexibly to match your needs. It is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the soba restaurant and that the driver could assist with the experience there as well.
Thank you again for choosing our service, and we hope to welcome you back to Japan for another memorable adventure in the future.
A
Andrew_P
March 29, 2026
Aomori Castle and Sights
Driver was on time, very courteous, very knowledgeable about the sites we visited and a basic ability to communicate in English. He went out of his way to insure we had the best experience. Made an extra photo stop on our request and still got us back on schedule. Overall, a very good day.
Operator response
Thank you very much for your thoughtful review! We are delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful day and that the driver helped make your experience enjoyable and comfortable. Your kind comments about the driver’s punctuality, courtesy, flexibility, and efforts to communicate mean a lot to us. We are especially happy to hear that the additional photo stop could be arranged while still keeping the schedule smooth for your port day. Thank you again for choosing our private service, and we hope to welcome you back to Japan in the future!
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Private Aomori Shore Excursion Hirosaki Castle and Apple Hill