Hirosaki Park is a sad sight in winter, and early March is still winter here. The main attractions, including the botanical garden, are closed. Snow patches remain on the soggy ground and the deciduous trees are bare. The park is almost devoid of people. It will be so much nicer in a few weeks when the sakura blossoms. And sadly the work of rebuilding a section of the wall, which I saw two years ago, does not seem to have made much progress. Two upsides: there are no crowds and you can wander freely, and there is no admission charge.

The park is famous for its cherry blossom in Spring. To visit it in autumn is equally enjoyable. First of all, there are much less visitors. You do not have to push your way through the crowds as during the sakura season. There is a moat surrounding the park. By end October, the trees lining the moat have mostly changed their colours. A stretch of orange/ yellow leaves make up an amazingly beautiful scene. The highlights in the park are the Hirosaki Castle, the Botanical Garden, and the Fujita memorial park (which is outside but just adjacent to the Hirosaki Park). They are worth visiting. Visitors can purchase a joint ticket for all three. The Hirosaki Park itself is quite huge and there are insufficient lightings after dark. Better to visit in the day time.