I am getting kind of sad realizing this is our last fall season in Misawa. I love the weather here in the fall, especially after the typhoon season. Usually end of September and October, even November are full of gorgeous days.
Well, this trip to Hirosaki did not happen on one of those gorgeous days…In fact, it was very rainy and chilly as we were driving through the mountains that we thought that we should just reroute to Aomori’s aquarium or something. The problem was that we really wanted to go to Hirosaki Chrysanthemum Festival again, but because of military exercises (they are really getting to us lately…hopefully, just one more and then we’ll get a break) and because of other trips already scheduled for other weekends, we had to go on Oct. 22nd weekend.
So we picked up a couple of cute little girls along the way, and decided to take the scenic route through Hakkodas to Hirosaki. The advantage of this route is that it’s beautiful AND we save around $20 in toll ways. The disadvantages are minor—it takes about 20 minutes longer and you have to endure many-many VERY sharp turns through the mountains (Katya’s least favorite thing to do).
Our first stop was this Japan’s longest wooden arch bridge-Jogakura bridge which is 827 feet long and 400 feet high. - It is truly an amazing sight—so high up in the mountains, with gorgeous foliage.
Frankly, these pictures cannot even remotely express how beautiful it was:).
Once we got to Hirosaki, we past this store Cub Center. We are wondering if it is the same Cub store as we used to have in Minnesota! MN friends, does it look the same?:)
October 22nd was the second day of the festival being open. Only a few flowers were blooming, which was a bummer, but everything still looked very pretty.
This is our cute gang at the entrance to the gardens.
I think I will create this composition someday in my yard with chrysanthemums.
We spent a while in the kids’ area.
Taiko drums are always a big hit!!
Of course, how could you have a festival without a mascot? 
Cute birds with…Hirosaki castles on top of their heads.
Then we headed to the display area. It’s rather impressive, what they can create with flowers.
Katya and her great friend Ashley.
More beautiful compositions on the pond.
My handsome boys.
It was definitely not busy on that particular day. These are food stalls…begging for customers.
Finally we arrived to our prime destination! The Kikumaturi Station! That’s where this miniature Shinkansen takes you for a three minute ride and makes realistic sounds that the bullet train makes.
The kids went at least four times! Those Japanese workers probably thought we were crazy.
After the train ride, we visited the peacocks…
And found the bunnies!
Kids had to put on gloves and then they could pet the bunnies.
Alex was particularly fond of that black one.
Katya liked this chubby one.
Mark was just happy to hold anything soft and fuzzy.
We spent some time listening to apparently a well-known Japanese singer lady sign beautiful Japanese melodies, but the kids got bored with it, not understanding the words.
Back to Taiko drumming-haha.
I must say, I really enjoyed Hirosaki Fall Festival. In fact, I like it even more than Cherry Blossom Festival in April because they have more activities for the kids in the fall. I mean—who doesn’t like free Shinkansen rides??
I do recommend, however, going to this festival on the first week of November to catch all the flowers in full bloom. When we went to Hirosaki for the first time we were very impressed with how beautiful and fun it was because we went on a perfect day. I think we might have to visit Hirosaki just one more time during its Winter Lantern Festival, what do you all think?
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