Hirosaki, the base of civilization and enlightenment in the north, is home to many retro buildings that retain the vestiges of those times. There are also buildings that seem to take you back in time to the Taisho period (1912 to 1926) dotted around the Fujita Memorial Garden in Hirosaki.

There is a registered tangible cultural property Western-style building, Japanese-style building and archaeology hall on the high ground. In addition to being valuable heritage that reminds us of the Taisho period, a garden extends out here with a view of Mt. Iwaki in the background.

You will find the Taisho Roman Kissashitsu coffee room in the Western-style building with a lovely peaked red roof. Once inside, you will be welcomed by stained glass windows and a fireplace. The interior reminiscent of the Taisho period (e.g., the window bars and lamps) will entrance you. The special seats are found at the window using a sunroom. Eating a meal or dessert while looking out at the colors of the four seasons in the garden is a luxurious time. You will also be happy tasting and comparing the apple pies. We recommend the galette of apple and vanilla ice cream.

The former archeology hall has been reborn as a Japanese-style cafe space called Craft & Japanese Cafe Takumikan. You can enjoy food with a commitment to being Japanese (e.g., Japanese-style parfaits and obanzai Kyoto-style lunch) and shopping for the leading crafts of Hirosaki like koginsashi stitching and Tsugaru-nuri coating.

The lowland garden is a stroll garden with a central pond. You can appreciate the nature of the four seasons here with the pond viewed from the tea room and the irises, azaleas, waterfalls and zigzag bridge. Many people come here to see the wonderful weeping cherry tree in the cherry blossom season.