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How to travel between Hirosaki and Tokyo
By daytime train
Take a Hayate train along the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Hachinohe (3 hours, seat reservations mandatory) and then the JR Tsugaru limited express train from Hachinohe to Hirosaki (2 hours). The entire one way trip takes around 5 hours, costs about 17,000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
By night train
The JR Akebono limited express is a daily night train operated between Tokyo's Ueno Station and Aomori, which stops at Hirosaki along the way. The trip to Hirosaki takes 12 hours and costs around 13,000 yen one way. It is free with the Japan Rail Pass if using a "goron to shito" compartment, otherwise there is surcharge of about 9500 yen. Reservations are mandatory.
By air
JAL operates multiple flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Aomori Airport. Flight duration is 80 minutes. The regular one way fare is around 31,000 yen, however, discount tickets are typically available for between 16,000 and 24,000 yen. A bus runs between Aomori Airport and Hirosaki (Hirosaki Station and Bus Terminal), which takes one hour and costs 1000 yen.
By bus
Konan Bus operates daytime and night buses between Tokyo (Ueno Station) and Aomori, which stops along the way at Hirosaki (Hirosaki Bus Terminal). The one way journey takes 10.5 hours and costs 8000 yen. A set of two tickets is available for only 10,000 yen!
Additional, more expensive night buses leave Hirosaki Bus Terminal from Shinagawa Bus Terminal and Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal in Tokyo. They are operated by both Konan Bus and Keikyu Bus and cost 10,000 yen one way.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
Hirosaki's main attractions are all located close to or within Hirosaki Park, which lies a 10-15 minute bus ride or a 30 minute walk west of Hirosaki Station.
The Dotemachi Loop Bus is a convenient, tourist oriented bus line that stops at Hirosaki Station and many of Hirosaki's attractions, including Hirosaki Park. It operates every ten minutes in clockwise direction. One ride costs 100 yen, while a day pass for unlimited rides on one calendar day is available for 500 yen.
In addition to the Dotemachi Loop Bus, there are a few other 100 yen loop bus lines, but they operate considerably less frequently. Furthermore, there is a network of regular city buses, that are less easy to use and more expensive, but can be faster than the loop buses.
Rental bicycles are another convenient means of getting around. From mid May to late November, bicycles can be borrowed free of charge between 9:00 and 16:00 from Hirosaki Station, Neputa Mura and Otemon Square.
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