Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival Ran Until November 8, with Projection Mapping on Flower Art and Bamboo Lanterns

The Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival was held at Hirosaki Park in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, from Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 8, 2026. The main venue was the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden, which stayed open until 20:00 during the festival. After sunset, projection mapping was shown on the flower art “Kinshu Byakko” (Golden Autumn White Tiger) in the Free Plaza. Bamboo-lantern objects and illumination of about 2,600 cherry trees and about 1,100 maples also lit up the park at night. The following is based on what the city announced on October 16.

Video projected onto “Kinshu Byakko,” a work of flowers and craft

The flower art “Kinshu Byakko” in the Free Plaza is the fourth in a Four Gods series, following the Azure Dragon, the Vermilion Bird and the Black Tortoise, and takes as its theme the White Tiger, the sacred beast that guards the west. It was created by floral artist Kie Abe in collaboration with nebuta frame builders, and this year it also incorporates the weaving techniques of the traditional craft of Tsugaru bamboo baskets.

The projection mapping is shown on this work after sunset. The video and lighting are by Kaoru Kasai, a digital creator from Hirosaki, on the theme “Autumn, Coming Round.” The Free Plaza also has a giant flower ring inspired by the chinowa-kuguri purification ritual of passing through a grass ring; its floral decorations have been completely renewed, with the Four Gods, including the new White Tiger, adorning the top.

Bamboo lanterns and special autumn-leaf illumination, created with citizens

At night, Hirosaki Park features bamboo objects by CHIKAKEN, which produces bamboo-lantern installations. The objects were made by CHIKAKEN together with Hirosaki residents. The special autumn-leaf illumination of the cherry and maple trees runs from 16:00 to 21:00 until mid-November.

In the “Pompon Mum Garden” in the Sannomaru Garden, yarn flowers handmade by local residents adorn the garden, joined by art that makes use of the yukitsuri snow supports and lighting effects at night. During the festival there is also a planting program visitors can join. Autumn-leaf sightseeing boats run on the Middle Moat, and the evening “Night Momiji Boat” service from 16:30 to 19:30 (reception until 19:00) costs a flat ¥1,500.

A festival begun in 1962, and the venue after dark

The festival began in 1962 under the name “Chrysanthemum and Maple Festival.” The flower art is a collaboration between a floral artist and nebuta frame builders, joined this year by Tsugaru bamboo basket techniques. After sunset, video, lighting and bamboo lanterns light the venue. In addition to the botanical garden’s extended hours, the festival layers in places to spend the evening, such as night boat rides and a bonfire garden.

An event combining bamboo lanterns and projection mapping also opened on October 30 at Tokoin’s “World of Light and Fantasy” in Ayabe, Kyoto. In the Tohoku region, the autumn night visit at the National Treasure Zuiganji in Miyagi is also coming up.

Admission and hours

Admission to the Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden is ¥320 for adults (high school students and older) and ¥100 for children (elementary and junior high school students); groups of 10 or more pay ¥250 for adults and ¥80 for children. Last entry during the festival is 19:30. A combined ticket for the botanical garden, the Honmaru and Kita-no-kuruwa, and the Fujita Memorial Garden costs ¥520 for adults and ¥160 for children for individuals (per the Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau’s official website).

The autumn-leaf sightseeing boats on the Middle Moat run from October 30 to November 8. Daytime service (9:00–16:00, reception until 15:30) costs ¥1,000 for junior high school students and older and ¥500 for elementary school students, with one preschool child free per adult. The “Relaxed Bonfire and Outdoor Play Garden (Chill Out Days: Autumn Harvest Market)” opened on Saturday, October 31, Sunday, November 1, Tuesday, November 3 (national holiday), Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8. Bonfires are lit every day, from 10:00 to 19:30 on weekends and national holidays and from 16:30 to 19:30 on weekdays.

Overview

Name: Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Leaves Festival
Dates: Friday, October 30 – Sunday, November 8, 2026
Venue: Hirosaki Park (main venue: Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden)
Hours: The Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden stays open until 20:00 during the festival (last entry 19:30). Special autumn-leaf illumination 16:00–21:00 until mid-November
Admission: Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden: adults (high school students and older) ¥320, children (elementary and junior high school students) ¥100 (groups of 10 or more: adults ¥250, children ¥80)
Official website: https://www.hirosaki-kanko.or.jp/edit.html?id=cat02_autumn_momiji
*Information as of October 21, 2026. Please check the official website for the latest information.

*Top image: Bamboo lanterns (Botanical Garden North Entrance) (from Hirosaki City’s press release)

*This article was compiled by the TOKYO ART SPHERE editorial team based on Hirosaki City’s press materials (October 16, 2026) and information on the Hirosaki Tourism and Convention Bureau’s official website.

Text: TOKYO ART SPHERE Editorial Team