Enjoy exquisite apple pie & cider in Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan's top apple producer
Hirosaki City is the number one producer of apples in Japan. Apple pie and cider are must-try treats in this town.
There is a particularly wide variety of apple pies. There is even a "Hirosaki Apple Pie Guide Map" featuring delicious local shops, so you can enjoy comparing different pies.
1Taisho Roman Tea Room
A cafe where you can compare 7 different types of apple pie
The cafe in the Western-style building at Fujita Memorial Garden offers seven types of apple pie that are highly regarded in Hirosaki City. You can enjoy the unique characteristics of each, including those from popular pastry shops like "Jardin" and "Auclair," as well as those from apple farms.
Since the farms are located in the suburbs, why not try tasting them here? The apple pie from "Tsugaru Yume Ringo Farm" features a perfect harmony between the buttery, flavorful crust and the sweet-and-sour taste of the large, chunky apple pieces. The apple pie from "Tamura Farm" is popular for its beautiful ruby-colored Jonathan apples peeking through the crust, as well as its subtle sweetness and light texture. You can also taste three types of cider produced at factories and workshops within Hirosaki City.
Local
Supporter
It's great to be able to eat a variety of apple pies! It's also fun to order several and share them.
An elegant space with a Taisho Roman atmosphere
At Fujita Memorial Garden, you can tour the residence and Japanese garden of Kenichi Fujita, a businessman from Hirosaki City. The Western-style building, built in 1921 as a villa, uses its first-floor grand hall and sunroom as the "Taisho Roman Tea Room" cafe. The original floor tiles, window frames, and window glass remain, conveying the elegant atmosphere of the Taisho era to the present day. It is a place where you can enjoy magnificent architecture, beautiful garden views, and delicious apple pie.
- Taisho Roman Tea Room
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Inside the Fujita Memorial Garden Western-style Building, 8-1 Kamishirogane-cho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture MAP
Approx. 16 minutes by the 100-yen "Dote-machi Loop" Konan Bus from JR Hirosaki Station, then a 5-minute walk from the "Shiyakusho-mae" (City Hall) stop.
9:30–16:30 (L.O. 16:00)
Open every day
0172-37-5690
Free
2Hirosaki Cider Workshop Kimori
Cider infused with the passion of apple farmers
If you enjoy alcohol, why not try enjoying Hirosaki City's apples in the form of cider? Cider, made by fermenting apple juice, is characterized by its floral aroma and light, carbonated mouthfeel. "Hirosaki Cider Kobo Kimori," located within Hirosaki City Apple Park, uses apples grown in their own orchards for brewing. There are four varieties: "Dry," a dry cider that pairs well with meals; "Sweet," perfect as an aperitif or with desserts; "Harvest," a limited-edition cider made only with apples harvested that year; and "Green," available only in the spring. At the workshop, you can observe the cider-making process and enjoy a tasting for 600 yen per glass.
Local
Supporter
Because of the "unfiltered production method," you can fully enjoy the authentic taste of the apples. Drinking cider while looking out over the apple orchards is truly exceptional!
Enjoy the view of apple orchards and apple gourmet food
Hirosaki City Apple Park is planted with approximately 2,300 apple trees of 80 different varieties, and in the autumn, you can experience apple picking. The sight of apple orchards spreading out against the backdrop of the majestic Mount Iwaki is one of the quintessential landscapes of Hirosaki. At "Ringo no Ie" (Apple House) within the park, local specialties including Kimori's cider are sold. The cafe corner also offers a menu featuring apple-inspired dishes, such as apple cutlet curry, apple pie, and apple soft-serve ice cream.
- Hirosaki Cider Workshop Kimori
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- 125 Terasawa, Shimizu-Tomita, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture (Inside Hirosaki City Apple Park) MAP
- Take the Konan Bus bound for "Soma Chosha/Nishimeya Mura Yakuba" from JR Hirosaki Station for about 20 minutes, and get off at "Ringo Koen" (Apple Park), then walk immediately.
- 9:00–17:00
- Wednesdays, others
- 0172-88-8936
- Free
3Three Bridge
Unforgettable, with a light crust that is truly charming
The apple pie from "Three Bridge," a bakery near Hirosaki Station, is a masterpiece that highlights the deliciousness of its pastry. The dough, made with plenty of fermented butter, has a surprisingly light and crispy texture. It is rich and flavorful, boasting an outstanding compatibility with the jam-like apple filling. The filling is made by carefully simmering Fuji apples from Aomori Prefecture, resulting in a mildly sweet and refreshing aftertaste. It is delicious whether eaten as is or lightly toasted.
Local
Supporter
The pie crust is fragrant, and the apple filling has just the right amount of sweetness, allowing you to taste the deliciousness of Aomori apples.
A popular shop loved by bread lovers that requires reservations
The shop offers a variety of items, from sweet breads like red bean buns, chocolate cornets, and melon bread, to loaves of bread, French bread, croissants, and hard rye breads. Imported ingredients such as cheese and honey are also sold and are quite popular. Having continued to make bread with care in a small team for 25 years since its founding, the shop has many regular fans, and popular items often sell out quickly. Since you can reserve both apple pies and other breads starting from a single piece, making a reservation the day before is recommended.
- Three Bridge
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- 16-7 Ekimae-cho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture MAP
4-minute walk from JR Hirosaki Station- Tuesday to Friday 10:00-16:00, Saturday 9:00-16:00
- Sundays, Mondays, and public holidays
- 0120-38-1559
- Free
4Western Confectionery Workshop Noël de HIROSAKI
Enjoy the texture of fresh apples
The "Apple-Packed Pie" is a signature product that has been sold for 16 years. The 15cm whole pie uses three medium-sized fresh apples from Aomori Prefecture, while the 18cm whole pie uses four, making the substantial weight of the product a surprise to everyone. The large-cut apples are juicy with a crisp texture. The aroma of cinnamon enhances the sweetness of the apples, creating a magnificent and exquisite combination. Also, it contains a small amount of jelly, which provides a smooth, silky texture, so it is best enjoyed without heating.
Local
Supporter
It is packed with large pieces of apple, which is visually appealing, and the taste is also exquisite!
A local cake shop sharing the charm of apples
In addition to apple pie, there is a variety of cakes and baked goods made with apples. These include "Ringo no Omoi," a chocolate baked treat containing apple pulp; "Hokugoku no Hohoemi," a white chocolate confection containing apple brandy made at the Nikka Whisky Hirosaki Factory and dried apple fruit; and the "Apple Choux Roll (by reservation)," which features yogurt cream and apple fruit wrapped in a soufflé-style sponge. All of these look delicious. These sweets, which make the most of the apple's flavor, are perfect as souvenirs from Aomori.
- Western Confectionery Workshop Noël de HIROSAKI
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- 2-2 Shinagawa-cho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture MAP
- Take the Konan Bus 100-yen "Dote-machi Loop" bus from JR Hirosaki Station for about 7 minutes, get off at "Aogin Dote-machi Shiten-mae," and walk for about 2 minutes.
- 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Tuesday
- 0172-35-7699
- None
MAP
- Nearby Hoshino Resorts facilities
Local supporter in charge of this article
- Miyuki SaitoTsugaru Stylish Girls
Aomoriya
Misawa, Aomori Prefecture
A hot spring inn where you can fully experience Aomori culture, including festivals, hot springs, and local performing arts.
Access Approx. 3 minutes by shuttle bus from Misawa Station on the Aoimori Railway / Approx. 20 minutes by shuttle bus from Misawa Airport
- Accommodation rate example
- Per person per night From ¥14,000
Oirase Keiryu Hotel
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The only resort hotel located on the banks of the Oirase Mountain Stream. You can enjoy the nature of the national park throughout the year.
Access 70 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Hachinohe Station
- Accommodation rate example
- Per person per night From ¥20,080
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A hot spring inn where you can fully enjoy Tsugaru culture and the four seasons. You can also enjoy the Tsugaru Four Seasons Water Garden, which changes its appearance with each season.
Access Approx. 5 minutes by shuttle bus from JR Owani-Onsen Station
- Accommodation rate example
- Per person per night From ¥19,000