Day 160 - Aomori, Japan

Today's tour of Aomori Prefecture included a trip to Hirosaki Castle and Neputa Village.  The ship was greeted by students playing music, flying flags and handing out origami samurai helmets with welcome messages. Hirosaki is a city about 90 minutes away from the city of Aomori. Hirosaki Castle is the name given to the whole park area, which includes the 400 year old gates, the gardens, outer and inner moats and the structure called the castle keep. Although today was cloudy with showers off and on the grounds of the castle were spectacular. There are over 2600 cherry trees on the grounds. As well as apple trees, which the Aomori prefecture is famous for. The cherry and apple trees do so well here because of the expert pruning and care taken by the farmers. The huge wooden gates at the entrances to the grounds are over 400 years old and you can see the arrow marks where they have indeed protected the Lord (a.k.s. Shogun) from enemies.
Following the castle the tour continued on to Neputa Village. The Village a large indoor facility that houses both the lanterns used for the annual Neputa Lantern Festival as well as artisans who make lacquered ware, dolls, lanterns and needlework. The lanterns are spectacular designs lighted and carried through the streets for the festival. The village also boasted a lovely small Japanese Garden, complete with ducks and koi in the pond. Finally the gift shop was filled with many apple products and soft ice cream - you guessed it apple flavoured!!!