Hirosaki Castle Chrysanthemum and Autumn Foliage Festival

Hirosaki Park is famous for its cherry blossom, and this festival is the moment it changes dress a second time. Held in the park's botanical garden, the dates are set so that the chrysanthemum displays coincide with the peak of the autumn colour. The centrepiece is the flower art — above all the recreations of the Seiganji temple gate and a five-storey pagoda built entirely from chrysanthemums, which have become emblems of the festival. A citizens' chrysanthemum show runs alongside, displaying work grown by residents and revealing how deeply the craft is rooted here. A children's shinkansen ride keeps younger visitors occupied. The garden opens 9:00 to 20:00, with last entry at 19:30, and after dark the special illumination of Hirosaki Park's foliage gives the grounds an entirely different character from the daytime.