• Hirosaki is a captivating city for architecture enthusiasts, with well-preserved structures from the Edo (Hirosaki Castle), Meiji, Taisho (Sakichi Horie), and Showa (Kunio Maekawa) eras. Among them, Sakichi Horie, a master carpenter representing Meiji-era Western-style architecture, stands out. Known for his exceptional skill and generous personality—always teaching others and indifferent to money—Horie attracted over a thousand mourners from across the region upon his passing, necessitating an extended funeral procession to the temple. This tour invites participants to explore Horie's architectural works, take a coffee break along the way, and trace the path of his funeral procession. It’s a journey through Hirosaki’s history and buildings, offering a deeper understanding of Horie’s character and legacy.

The building, with its beautiful white and mint green colors, is in the Renaissance style and has a dignified Western architectural design. It is designated as an important cultural property of the country. Be sure to also notice the decorative tower at the top, which serves as an observation deck. At its peak, there is a finial resembling those found on Indian temples. The designer and builder, Mr. Sakichi Horie, was a master craftsman who worked on numerous Western-style buildings. He is also known for designing the birthplace of the writer Osamu Dazai, the "Shayokan."