Neputa Village, near the northeastern corner of Hirosaki Park, keeps the city's festival culture visible outside the short August Neputa season. Large fan-shaped floats are displayed here, including one so large it can no longer pass under the wires of the city streets.
The visit is part museum and part craft stop: exhibits explain the float tradition, while workshops show local handicrafts being made. It is an easy addition to Hirosaki Castle and gives useful context before seeing the festival itself.