Tōhoku's sole remaining original castle, Hirosaki-jō is in fact is a reconstruction dating from 1810. First built in 1611 by the Tsugaru daimyō, its centerpiece was a five-storey donjon, but a lightning strike burned it to the ground only 16 years later. The vast park surrounding the castle is now much celebrated for its some 5000 cherry blossom trees; within its grounds five original gates and three watchtowers have also survived. The city of Hirosaki itself has maintained its labyrinthine street layout (even if it's been heavily augmented with concrete structures) - a characteristic feature of castle towns meant to confuse potential invaders.