Chusonji Temple's Golden Hall, Hirosaki Castle, and Shayokan Hall - Historical Buildings Made from Aomori Hiba (Claude Tree) [Aomori Prefecture]

Aomori hiba is a tree unique to Japan, and its Japanese scientific name is Hinoki Asunaro. This Hinoki Asunaro grows in areas north of the Noto Peninsula and Nikko region of Tochigi Prefecture, and up to the northern limit of Hokkaido's Oshima Peninsula, but more than 80% of it is concentrated in Aomori Prefecture. Hinoki Asunaro is generally called "hiba," but the tree in Aomori Prefecture is specially called "Aomori hiba."

Hinoki-asunaro is a variety of the tree simply called asunaro, which grows mainly in areas south of the Kanto region. Asunaro is also called hiba, and the tree shape and quality are almost identical, so they are often confused, but here we will focus only on Hinoki-asunaro (Aomori hiba)

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Aomori Hiba is particularly effective at preventing insects, mold, and decay. The Golden Hall of Chusonji Temple, built 900 years ago, is still standing today

Compared to other tree species, Aomori Hiba (Chamaecyparis obtusa) has properties such as being "insect-resistant," "non-mold-resistant," and "resistant to rot," and has been used for building foundations, pillars, and beams since ancient times

A representative example of this is the Golden Hall of Chusonji Temple (Chusonji Konjikido, Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture, National Treasure, World Heritage Site), which is said to have been built over 900 years ago in 1124. Since its construction, a medieval enclosure (covering hall/sayado, made with a thatched roof, the current one is the second generation) has been built to protect the main body, and apart from work carried out during the Genroku and Genbun eras of the Edo period to correct the hall's leaning (new wooden supports were installed at this time), and some interior repairs, a re-roof, and changing the supports from wooden to iron pipes in the Meiji period, the structure has hardly been repaired at all

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The Golden Hall was dismantled and repaired for the first time in 1962 (Showa 37)

In the Showa era, the foundation stones of the Konjikido were replaced to correct its tilt in 1930, and the covering hall, which had become rotten and damaged, was dismantled and repaired. Later, in the 1960s, a detailed inspection of the interior of the Konjikido revealed extensive damage from insects and mold on the decorative pieces, such as the maki-e (a uniquely Japanese advanced craft technique in which gold or silver powder is sprinkled on a lacquer surface to create patterns) which have been designated as national treasures and important cultural properties. As a result, the first dismantling and repair of the Konjikido began in 1962 (Showa 37)

In the Showa era, the foundation stones of the Konjikido were replaced to correct its tilt in 1930, and the covering hall, which had become rotten and damaged, was dismantled and repaired. Later, in the 1960s, a detailed inspection of the interior of the Konjikido revealed extensive damage from insects and mold on the decorative pieces, including maki-e (a uniquely Japanese advanced craft technique in which gold or silver powder is sprinkled on lacquer to create patterns), which have been designated as national treasures and important cultural properties. As a result, the first dismantling and repair of the Konjikido began in 1962 (Showa 37)

This construction continued until 1968 (Showa 43), and the temple was almost restored to its original glory. It is said that more than 70% of the original Aomori cypress wood was used in the construction. The covering hall was rebuilt with reinforced concrete

*For details on the dismantling and repair of the Golden Hall of Chusonji Temple, please refer to the report on the dismantling and repair of the Golden Hall by the National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, entitled "Mold and Building Materials Grown in the National Treasure Golden Hall of Chusonji Temple" (by Yoshikazu Emoto, microbiologist and professor emeritus at Gakushuin University)

Chusonji Golden Hall Information

• Facility name: Chusonji Temple
• Address: 202 Kinuzeki, Hiraizumi, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate Prefecture
• Cultural property designation: National treasure
• Phone number: 0191-46-2211
• Visiting hours:
  • March 1st - November 3rd / 8:30am - 5:00pm
  • November 4th to the end of February / 8:30am to 4:30pm
• Admission fee: Adults 1,000 yen, high school students 700 yen, junior high school students 500 yen, elementary school students 300 yen
• Closed: Open all year round
• URL: Chusonji Temple
• access:
  • Public transportation: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Ichinoseki Station, then get off at JR Tohoku Main Line Hiraizumi Station. From there, take the Hiraizumi Town Loop Bus "Runrun" for approximately 10 minutes (operates only on weekends and holidays, closed in winter, please check) or walk for approximately 20 minutes
  • By car: Approximately 5 minutes from Hiraizumi Maesawa IC on the Tohoku Expressway

Google Map

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Hirosaki Castle is made of Aomori cypress, not only for the original buildings but also for the reconstructed castle tower

Although not as old as the Konjikido, there are many historical buildings made from Aomori cypress remaining in Aomori Prefecture

Hirosaki Castle was planned by Tsugaru Tamenobu (c. 1550-1608), the first lord of the Hirosaki domain, and completed in 1611 by the second lord, Nobuhira (1586-1631), with the structure made almost entirely of Aomori cypress. The castle tower burned down after being struck by lightning in 1627, but the current three-story castle tower, known as the Gosankai Yagura, was completed in 1810

The original castle tower had five stories, but due to the Tokugawa Shogunate's Buke Shohatto (rules that strictly controlled local feudal lords and prohibited the construction of tall castle towers), it could not be rebuilt for 200 years after it was burned down. In 1805, the ninth feudal lord, Yasuchika (1765-1833), was appointed to the position of Ezo guard, and in recognition of his achievements, his stipend was increased from 47,000 koku to 100,000 koku. This prompted him to petition the shogunate, which gave him special permission to build a castle tower (the shogunate only allowed the reconstruction of the turrets). However, the original five-story structure was not approved, and it is said that it was built with three stories instead

Hirosaki Castle is approximately 600m east to west and 1,000m north to south and is made up of six enclosures (defense and living areas within the castle) surrounded by triple moats and earthen ramparts. The castle tower, three turrets, and five castle gates remain to this day. All of these are designated as Important Cultural Properties by the national government. Furthermore, the remains of the original castle tower, of which only the stone walls remain, have been well preserved in their original form and are designated as national historic sites

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During the dismantling and repair of the Kamekomon Gate, almost no decay or other damage was found

In 1955 (Showa 30), one of the five castle gates, the Kamenoumon Gate (north gate), was dismantled and repaired. The wood used was Aomori cypress, and numerous arrow marks were found on the pillars, but the gate itself had almost no natural damage. In fact, Hirosaki Castle was never attacked during the Edo period, so research has led to the assumption that this gate was a castle gate belonging to a powerful clan that was rival to the Tsugaru clan and had been captured by Tsugaru Narinobu before the Edo period, and then relocated

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Hirosaki Castle will be restored to its original location in 2026. However, due to preservation and renovation work, the interior will not be open to the public until 2034

Hirosaki Castle will begin dismantling and repairing the stone walls that form its foundation in 2016 (Heisei 28), so the castle tower was moved approximately 77.62 meters to the center of the main citadel in 2014 (Heisei 26) using the hikiya method (lifting the building in its original position without dismantling it, and then moving it horizontally using rails and rollers). Repairs to the stone walls will be completed on December 8, 2024 (Reiwa 6), and the final process of returning the castle tower to its original position will begin in July 2026

The interior of the castle tower was open to the public even after it was moved, but from 2026 it will be closed to the public for approximately seven years as it is being moved back and subsequent earthquake-resistant reinforcement work and interior preservation and renovation work will be carried out

Hirosaki Castle Information

• Facility name: Hirosaki Castle (Hirosaki Park)
• Address: 1-1 Shimoshiroganecho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture (inside Hirosaki Park)
• Cultural property designation: Hirosaki Castle is a nationally designated important cultural property, and the remains are a national historic site
• For inquiries, please contact: Hirosaki City Hall, Parks and Green Spaces Division (please click here for information on flowering status)
• Phone number: 0172-33-8739
• Admission fee (Hirosaki Castle Honmaru and North Bailey):
• During the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival (dates may vary depending on when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom) and during the paid admission period (April 1st to November 23rd / Adults 320 yen, Children 250 yen)
• *Free admission except during the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival and paid admission periods
• *During the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, please inquire via the official website or by phone
• *The adjacent Hirosaki Castle Botanical Gardens incurs a separate admission fee (320 yen for adults, 100 yen for children)
• Opening hours:
  • Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival period: 9:00-21:00 (opening hours will change from 2025)
  • Free admission period: 9:00-17:00 (including Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden)
• Closed days/
  • November 24th to March 31st
• *If the Hirosaki Castle Sakura Festival starts earlier than April 1st, the event will be held until the day before the festival begins
• *Hirosaki Castle Botanical Garden is open from November 24th to mid-April (open every day during the opening period)
• URL: Hirosaki Park
• access:
  • Public transportation: Get off at Hirosaki Station on the JR Ou Main Line, or take a bus from Aomori Airport bound for Hirosaki Station for approximately 55 minutes, then walk for approximately 30 minutes from Hirosaki Station. Alternatively, take the Dotemachi Loop Bus from Hirosaki Station for approximately 15 minutes, then walk for approximately 4 minutes from the City Hall bus stop
  • By car: Approximately 25 minutes on National Route 7 from Owani IC on the Tohoku Expressway

Google Map

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The birthplace of the famous writer Dazai Osamu, who was a large landowner. Even the rice storehouse is made of Aomori cypress

Shayokan (located in Kanagi-cho, Goshogawara City) is the birthplace of Dazai Osamu (1909-1948, real name Tsushima Shuji), which has been preserved and is open to the public. Dazai's father, Tsushima Gen'emon, was a large local landowner and served as a member of the House of Representatives and the House of Peers. He was a wealthy man in the Tsugaru region, founding the Kanagi Bank (the predecessor to the current Aomori Michinoku Bank) and serving as an executive officer of the former Mutsu Railway, which is now part of the JR Gono Line

Shayokan was built by Gen'emon in 1907 (Meiji 40) as the residence of the Tsushima family, and is a large, two-story wooden mansion with a total floor area of ​​116 tsubo (approximately 383 m2), 11 rooms on the first floor and 8 rooms on the second floor. Most of the building materials are Aomori cypress, which has excellent durability and antiseptic properties, so Shayokan is still in almost perfect condition today and is a nationally designated important cultural property

Shayokan Information

• Facility name: Dazai Osamu Memorial Museum "Shayokan"
• Address: 412-1 Asahiyama, Kanagi-cho, Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture
• Cultural property designation: Nationally designated important cultural property
• For inquiries, please contact the Dazai Osamu Memorial Museum "Shayokan"
• Phone number: 0173-53-2020
• Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (last admission 16:30)
• Closed: December 29th
• Admission fee: Adults 600 yen, High school and university students 400 yen, Elementary and junior high school students 250 yen
• URL: Shayokan
• access:
  • Public transportation: Get off at Goshogawara Station on the JR Gono Line and walk (a few minutes) to Tsugaru Railway Tsugaru-Goshogawara Station. Take the Tsugaru Railway to Kanagi Station and walk for about 7 minutes. Alternatively, it is about an hour by car from Aomori Airport. If using bus or train, take the limousine bus from Aomori Airport to Aomori Station, then take the JR Ou Main Line, Gono Line, and Tsugaru Railway to Kanagi Station and walk for about 7 minutes
  • By car: Approximately 15 minutes from Goshogawara Kita IC on the Tsugaru Expressway

Google Map

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Aomori City Forest Museum is a two-story Renaissance-style wooden building built in the late Meiji period using Aomori cypress

The Aomori City Forestry Museum was built in 1908 (Meiji 41) as the office building for the Aomori Obayashi Ward Office (which was renamed the Aomori Regional Forestry Bureau and later the Aomori Office). It is a two-story wooden building in the Renaissance style (symmetrical, etc.), which was rare in the Tohoku region at the time, and is made primarily of Aomori cypress

The museum is made up of Exhibition Room 1 (Forests and Friends), Large Exhibition Room 2 (Trees and Life), Exhibition Room 3 (Snow and Skiing), Exhibition Room 4 (Aomori and Hiba), Exhibition Room 5 (Reviving the Tsugaru Forest Railway), Exhibition Room 6 (Nurturing the Forest) and the Annex (Exhibition Room 7: Forest Railway Locomotive), which also provides detailed explanations about Aomori Hiba

The Tsugaru Forest Railway, on display in Exhibition Room 5 and Exhibition Room 7, was Japan's first forest railway to be pulled by a motor vehicle, and its remains, documents, and rolling stock have been registered as a "forestry heritage site." The locomotives on display at the Aomori City Forest Museum are not from the Tsugaru Forest Railway, but include a diesel locomotive (Kyosan Kogyo 4.8-ton internal combustion locomotive) that was actually used on forest railways on the Shimokita Peninsula, a Tsugaru Forest Railway passenger car (Asunaro-go passenger car for executive inspections), and a freight car (monocoque steel lumber transport trolley)

Aomori City Forest Museum Information

• Aomori City Forest Museum
• Facility name: Aomori City Forest Museum (former Aomori Forestry Bureau building)
• Cultural property designation: Aomori City designated tangible cultural property
• For inquiries, please contact: Aomori City Forest Museum
• Phone number: 017-766-7800
• Opening hours:
  • April 1st to October 31st / 9:00am to 5:00pm
  • November 1st to March 31st / 9:00am to 4:30pm
• Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday), December 28th to January 4th
• Admission fee: 250 yen for adults, 130 yen for high school and university students, free for junior high school students and younger and those 70 years of age and older
• URL: Aomori City Forest Museum
• access:
  • Public transportation: Approximately 10 minutes on foot from JR Aomori Station
  • By car: Approximately 25 minutes from Aomori Chuo IC on the Aomori Expressway, or take the limousine bus from Aomori Airport to Aomori Station, then walk for approximately 10 minutes

Google Map

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A breathtaking beauty that blends into the landscape. "Tsuru-no-Mai Bridge" uses Aomori cypress for its piers

Tsuru-no-mai Bridge (Tsuruta-cho, Kitatsugaru-gun) is the longest wooden triple-arched bridge in Japan, spanning Lake Tsugaru Fujimi (a large agricultural reservoir built in the Edo period called Mawariike Otameike), which commands a view of Mount Iwate. Completed in 1994, this bridge is not a historic structure, but we are introducing it here because we believe it will likely be designated as a cultural property as a historic structure in 100 years' time

Tsuru-no-Mai Bridge is approximately 300 meters long and spans a still lake, so it is unlikely to be washed away. However, it is less resistant to water than concrete or metal, so there is a possibility of it rotting. To prevent this, Aomori Hiba, a highly water-resistant wood, is used for the bridge piers and other building materials that are directly exposed to water

However, since it is made of wood, there are limitations, and in 2023 (Reiwa 5), ​​30 years after the bridge began to be used in public, work began on reinforcing the piers and replacing the floorboards (shoban) where people walk. For this construction, cedar, which is easy to obtain and repair, was used for the floorboards, rather than Aomori hiba, which is difficult to obtain in large quantities. The renovated Tsuru-no-Mai Bridge is scheduled to reopen to traffic in April 2026 (Reiwa 8). (For more information, please search the official website or contact Tsuruta Town Hall.)

Tsuru-no-Mai Bridge Information

• Facility name: Tsuru-no-Mai Bridge
• Address: 81-150 Mawari Osawa, Tsuruta-machi, Kitatsugaru-gun, Aomori Prefecture
• For inquiries, please contact: Tsuruta Town Hall, Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division
• Phone number: 0173-22-2111
• Reopening: Scheduled for April 2026 (confirmation required)
• Toll: Free
• URL: Tsurunomai Bridge
• access:
  • Public transportation: Get off at Mutsu-Tsuruta Station on the JR Gono Line, then take a taxi for about 15 minutes
  • By car: Approximately 40 minutes from Namioka IC on the Tohoku Expressway

Google Map

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