Fujita Kinen Teien (Fujita Memorial Garden)

About this Attraction

Fujita Memorial Garden (Fujita Kinen Teien) is a serene and historically rich Japanese garden nestled in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. Established in 1919 by Ken'ichi Fujita, the first chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the garden was designed by expert gardeners from Tokyo. Spanning approximately 21,800 square meters, it is the second-largest Japanese garden in the Tohoku region.

The garden is divided into two distinct areas: the upper and lower sections. The upper area features Western-style and Japanese-style buildings from the Taisho era (1912–1926), including a Western-style house with a café known as the Taisho Roman Kissashitsu, where visitors can enjoy apple pies and desserts while overlooking the garden. There's also a Japanese-style café, Takumikan, offering traditional Japanese sweets and showcasing local crafts like koginsashi stitching and Tsugaru-nuri lacquerware.

The lower garden is a traditional Japanese stroll garden (chisen-kaiyushiki) featuring a central pond, waterfalls, stone lanterns, and a zigzag bridge. It offers picturesque views that change with the seasons, including cherry blossoms in spring, vibrant foliage in autumn, and serene snow-covered landscapes in winter.

After years of neglect following Fujita's death in 1946, the garden was restored and opened to the public in 1991 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Hirosaki becoming a city. Today, it stands as a testament to the region's cultural heritage, offering visitors a tranquil retreat and a glimpse into Japan's historical garden design.