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Park & Garden

Seibien

📍 1 Ishikayashi Saruka, Hirakawa, Aomori 036-0242, Japan
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3.6/ 5.0
★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
Japan
Category
Park & Garden
Duration
About 45 minutes
Address
1 Ishikayashi Saruka, Hirakawa, Aomori 036-0242, Japan
Coordinates
40.6163, 140.5701

Introduction

Seibien (盛美園) in Saruka, Hirakawa, Aomori Prefecture, is a strolling pond garden built over nine years from 1902 by Seito Seibi, 24th head of the Tsugaru Seito clan, with landscape master Obata Teiju; its roughly 3,600 tsubo (1.2 ha) are designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty and it is counted among the great Meiji-era gardens. Centered on a pond in three parts—Shin, Gyo and Soha—with a Shinsen island planted with Matsu-zakura pine, it borrows the Tsugaru Plain and distant mountains as scenery. The Western-Japanese-style Seibikan house and the Goho-den hall (home to the national treasure Kongokai Dainichi Nyorai) stand within; the garden also inspired the settings of Studio Ghibli's 'Arrietty'.

✨ Highlights

1
Meiji-Era Garden
A nine-year strolling-pond garden begun in 1902, designated a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
2
Shin, Gyo, Soha
Three zones—Shin, Gyo and Soha—ring a pond with a Shinsen island of Matsu-zakura pine.
3
Seibikan
A two-story house blending Japanese and Western styles.
4
Goho-den Treasures
The family hall houses the national treasure Kongokai Dainichi Nyorai statue.
5
Ghibli Location
Inspired the settings of Studio Ghibli's film 'Arrietty'.
6
Borrowed Scenery
From the Western house, the garden merges with the Tsugaru Plain farmland.

🛈 Practical Info

→Address：1 Ishikayashi Saruka, Hirakawa, Aomori
→Duration：About 45 minutes (guided viewing about 40 minutes)
→Closed：December 29-January 3
→Access：15 min walk from Tsugaru-Onoe Sta. (Konan Railway); 10 min from Kuroishi IC
→Opening Hours：Mid-Apr to late Sep 9:00-17:00; Oct to mid-Nov 9:00-16:30; mid-Nov to mid-Apr 10:00-15:00

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
AdultAdults 700 yen
StudentJunior/senior high 500 yen
ChildElementary 300 yen
Free AdmissionPreschool free

Winter rates (mid-Nov to mid-Apr) are half price

Transportation

Bus

Konan Railway to Tsugaru-Onoe Sta., 15 min walk

Driving/Parking

10 min from Kuroishi IC; parking shared with Roman-kan

💡 Tips

• Take the Konan Railway Konan Line to Tsugaru-Onoe Station and walk about 15 minutes.
• About 10 min by car from Kuroishi IC on the Tohoku Expressway; parking is shared with the OMOTENASHI ROMAN-kan (about 30 cars, 5 buses)—groups should reserve ahead.
• Admission varies by season: in winter (mid-November to mid-April) adults 350 yen, teens 250 yen, children 150 yen.
• Visiting hours for the Seibikan house and Goho-den hall are limited—confirm the interior tour schedule on arrival.
• Autumn red maples against the lawns are the finest; fresh green and blossoms in May are lovely too.
• Combine with Hirosaki Castle and Tanesashi Coast for a day around the Tsugaru region.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Seibien?

Mid-Apr to late Sep 9:00-17:00; Oct to mid-Nov 9:00-16:30; mid-Nov to mid-Apr 10:00-15:00

How much is the admission for Seibien?

Adult: Adults 700 yen; Student: Junior/senior high 500 yen; Child: Elementary 300 yen; Free Admission: Preschool free; Winter rates (mid-Nov to mid-Apr) are half price

Any practical tips for visiting Seibien?

Take the Konan Railway Konan Line to Tsugaru-Onoe Station and walk about 15 minutes. About 10 min by car from Kuroishi IC on the Tohoku Expressway; parking is shared with the OMOTENASHI ROMAN-kan (about 30 cars, 5 buses)—groups should reserve ahead.

How long should I spend at Seibien?

A typical visit takes About 45 minutes.

How do I get to Seibien?

Bus: Konan Railway to Tsugaru-Onoe Sta., 15 min walk; Driving/Parking: 10 min from Kuroishi IC; parking shared with Roman-kan