Aomori welcomed us with open arms. The area is known for its apples. I laughed so much at this mascot as it bumped into things constantly.

The Hirosaki Neputa Festival occurs every August and showcases backlit neputas. There is a museum that displays the floats from the past year. These are examples of the small ones. The cat one is adorable.

The showcase hall has small handheld neputas to large ones that are carried by multiple people.

Outside the Neputa Hall, was a garden.

Japanese gardens are not complete without Koi. These were well fed and came near when you approached the pond.

Hirosaki Castle moat.

Hirosaki Castle gate.

I loved the color of this bridge.

Hirosaki Castle keep. The only structure still standing.

Top level of the keep. The stairs are nearly vertical, probably more like a ladder.

View out the arrow slits. Loved the roof structure.

I believe this is Mt. Iwaki, another beautiful sacred mountain.

Lovely day for a boat ride.

Seibi-en - National Site of Senic Beauty. This house has a traditional Japanese bottom level and a western style top.

Shrine inside the house.

The gardens.

Small shrine in the gardens.