Zenringai is a street and district of Zen temples southwest of Hirosaki Castle. The temples were gathered here during the castle-town period, partly as a spiritual shield and partly as a practical defensive edge to the city.
The atmosphere is quiet and a little formal: gates, graveyards, temple roofs, and glimpses of Mount Iwaki when the weather is clear. Chosho-ji, at the far end, is the natural anchor for the walk.