A Travel Guide to Tsuruga Castle, Where You Can Experience the History and Culture of Aizuwakamatsu

The origins of Tsuruga Castle date back to “Higashikurokawa Residence,” built in 1384 by Ashina Naomori, who ruled the surrounding area.
Later, during the Sengoku period (1467–1615), power struggles unfolded, and in 1590, Date Masamune, the warlord who ruled Aizu, built a full-scale castle complete with stone walls and moats. In 1593, the castle tower was completed, and the castle was named Tsuruga Castle.
During the Boshin War, which broke out at the end of the Edo period (1603–1868), the Aizu Domain, which ruled what is now the Aizu region, fought as a central force on the side of the former government.
In August, Aizu became a battlefield, and after a month-long siege at Tsuruga Castle, the domain surrendered.
The buildings other than the stone walls were demolished under the policy of the new government, but thanks to the passion of local citizens, the castle tower was rebuilt in 1965. Later, the tea room and corner turret were also restored, and the roof tiles of the castle tower were changed to the original red tiles.

In spring, Approx. 1,000 Somei Yoshino cherry trees bloom in full glory, giving Tsuruga Castle the look of one of Japan’s great cherry blossom spots.
The castle tower seen through the cherry blossoms is especially beautiful, creating a scene full of Japanese charm.
From mid to late April, when the blossoms are at their best, the “Tsuruga Castle Sakura Festival” is held. After sunset, one of the largest illuminations in eastern Japan takes place.
You can enjoy magical scenery, including the illuminated corridor bridge with cherry blossoms and the moat reflecting the lit-up blossoms on its surface.
Along with the wide variety of events held during the festival, be sure to enjoy these beautiful cherry blossoms, which have earned the site a place among Japan’s “100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots.”

At Tsuruga Castle in summer, surrounded by lush green trees, the red roof tiles stand out vividly against the blue sky.
Even during the hottest season, the shade of the trees in Tsuruga Castle Castle Ruins Park offers a pleasantly cool break.
The “Aizu Festival,” held every September, is also an event you should definitely join if your timing works out.
It is Aizu’s biggest festival, with a variety of events held over three days.
The biggest highlight is the “Aizu Domain Lord Procession,” held on the final day.
People dressed as feudal lords, samurai, and others from the late Edo period march through Aizuwakamatsu City, and a departure ceremony is held at Tsuruga Castle Castle Ruins Park.
Combined with sightseeing at Tsuruga Castle, it offers a great opportunity to experience the history and culture of Aizuwakamatsu more deeply.

From October to November each year, the trees across the grounds turn brilliant shades of color.
The beautiful contrast created by the castle tower’s white walls and red roof tiles, golden ginkgo trees, and crimson maples is spectacular.
If you visit during the fall foliage season, enter the castle grounds from the Kitademaru area.
Along Kitademaru Odori, which leads to Kitademaru, historic-looking buildings line the street beside colorful trees, creating a distinctly Japanese atmosphere.
Beyond that, the path continuing from Kitademaru is also filled with autumn leaves, allowing you to fully enjoy the charm of Tsuruga Castle in fall.
It is also recommended to visit after sunset, when the castle tower and autumn leaves are illuminated.

In winter, you can see scenery unique to a castle in Aizuwakamatsu, an area known for heavy snowfall.
Tsuruga Castle covered in snow is as beautiful as a painting. The sight of white snow piled on the red roof tiles creates a special view unlike that of any other castle.
On top of that, two events are held in winter that let you enjoy even more magical scenery.

The castle tower, a symbol not only of Tsuruga Castle but also of Aizuwakamatsu, is a five-story castle structure.
The current building was rebuilt in 1965, and its exterior has been faithfully recreated.
The only castle tower in Japan today to use red roof tiles, it creates a beautiful contrast with snowy scenery and cherry blossoms, making it a popular photo spot.
Inside is a history museum, with exhibits from the underground salt storehouse to the top-floor observation room that let you experience the history and culture of Aizu with all five senses.
Please refer to the table below for an overview of each floor.

Located in the southeastern part of Tsuruga Castle Castle Ruins Park, “Rinkaku” is a tea room closely associated with Sen no Rikyu.
It is said to have been built when Sen no Rikyu’s son, Shoan, was sheltered there after incurring the anger of the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi and being ordered to die.
Its distinctive features include a charming thatched roof and plaques bearing the names of the three Senke schools of tea ceremony founded by Shoan’s grandson: Omotesenke, Urasenke, and Mushakojisenke.
In addition to touring the building, you can enjoy matcha while viewing the garden from the nearby tea seating area.
It is also a nice touch that the matcha comes with jo-yomanju, a steamed bun made with a dough of grated tsukuneyamo, sugar, and rice flour, filled with smooth bean paste.
Experience the spirit of the tea ceremony in a space alive with history and culture.

At Hoshii Yagura, Minami Hashiri Nagaya, and Tetsumon Gate inside Tsuruga Castle, you can enjoy productions and exhibits centered around projection mapping and audio guides.
The projection mapping show, which uses the entire wall of Hoshii Yagura, is an especially impressive must-see.
While watching the fantastical visuals, you can have fun learning about the history of Tsuruga Castle.
There is also plenty more to see, including exhibits explaining how “teppo hazama,” openings used for firing guns and arrows, were used, lanterns bearing the family crests of successive castle lords, and a VR experience show depicting the history of famous generals who served as castle lords. Come experience the history of Tsuruga Castle and the sentiments that have been passed down through it.

“Minami Hashiri Nagaya” is connected to the Honmaru, the castle’s central enclosure, and “Hoshii Yagura” extends from it.
Minami Hashiri Nagaya is thought to have been used as an armory, while Hoshii Yagura is believed to have served as a storehouse for preserved food made by drying cooked rice. Both were restored in 2001.
Although detailed plans did not survive, the exterior, interior, and room layout were faithfully recreated based on archaeological excavations.
Exhibits help visitors imagine what functions these buildings had and how they were used at the time.

Behind Taiko Gate is “Musha-bashiri,” a rare structure in Japan consisting of two stairways arranged in a V shape.
They were placed parallel to the stone walls so as not to obstruct the passageway, and soldiers used these stairs during battles and training.
In the stone wall beyond Musha-bashiri, there are both a large heart-shaped stone and a small one, and many couples take photos there with the stones as a backdrop.
When you visit Musha-bashiri, try looking for the heart-shaped stones as well.

Nanokamachi Street and Hideyo Noguchi Seishun Street are retro sightseeing streets located in central Aizuwakamatsu City.
With buildings from the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods lining the roads, walking here feels like stepping back in time to a bygone era.
The two streets connect at a right angle, and walking the full route takes about 20 minutes (Approx. 1.2 km).

Located near Higashiyama Onsen, this large-scale history museum park recreates the residence of Saigo Tanomo, chief retainer of the Aizu Domain, and features traditional buildings relocated and restored around it, along with museums and other facilities.
Hands-on activities such as glass engraving, painting Akabeko and Okiagari Koboshi figures, kyudo, and challenge programs like quiz cards are also fun.

Served by the JR Banetsu West Line, JR Tadami Line, and Aizu Railway, Aizuwakamatsu Station is a central hub among stations in the Aizu region. Its castle-style station building suits this historic city and has also been selected as one of the “100 Best Stations in Tohoku.”
At the east exit of Aizuwakamatsu Station stands a giant Akabeko that welcomes visitors to Aizu and is also famous as a popular photo spot.
When you press the installed red button, it shakes its head and starts speaking, saying, “Hello! I’m Akabee!” and even sings the “Akabeko Ondo.”

Founded in 1850, this long-established sake brewery stands out even in Aizuwakamatsu, a city known for its many old kura storehouses.
To this day, it continues to follow its three principles of local sake brewing: “1. Delicious natural brewing water,” “2. The craftsmanship of Aizu master brewers passed down through generations,” and “3. Sake rice grown in the land where the same water as the brewing water springs forth.”
You can also join a free brewery tour and enjoy coffee brewed with the brewery’s water, chiffon cake made with daiginjo sake, and more.

Founded in 1972 in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, “Tontei” is a restaurant specializing in sauce katsudon.
The deciding factor in its flavor is the secret “Tontei Special Sauce,” which has been continuously added to since the restaurant first opened.
Among Aizu locals, it is known as a familiar taste that just about everyone has tried.

A tonkatsu specialty restaurant founded in 1978, located along Sengoku Street in Aizuwakamatsu City.
It is known for its sweet secret sauce, handed down since the time it first opened.
Popular dishes include “sauce katsudon” and “stewed sauce katsudon,” made with house-made breadcrumbs and juicy, tender meat.
The pork loin is cut into two pieces and fills the bowl, making it a very hearty meal.

A long-established hot spring ryokan representing Higashiyama Onsen, the inner retreat area of Aizuwakamatsu.
It received “Kitsune-yu,” which had been used as an officially designated retreat by the Aizu Domain during the Edo period, and opened as a hot spring inn in 1873.
The building is a nationally registered tangible cultural property, and the guest rooms feature traditional tatami interiors. You can enjoy the atmosphere of a classic Japanese hot spring inn.
The courtyard surrounded by corridors and guest rooms offers seasonal beauty throughout the year, with cherry blossoms in spring, fireflies in summer, and candlelit snow viewing in winter.

A ryokan in Yumoto, Higashiyamamachi, the inner retreat area of Aizuwakamatsu, with its own private hot spring source.
Founded in 1924, it is a long-established inn with over 100 years of history.
Higashiyama Onsen is a hot spring resort area with Approx. 1,300 years of history, but even there, inns that can offer free-flowing spring water directly from an untouched source are rare.
On the grounds surrounded by mountains flows the natural waterfall “Harataki,” which gave the inn its name. From the open-air bath, you can enjoy the sight of the waterfall, the sound of the stream, and the pleasant river breeze.

A long-established inn standing along a mountain stream in Ashinomaki, the inner retreat area of Aizu.
Among its wide range of guest rooms, including Japanese-style rooms with spectacular valley views and compact twin rooms, the inn’s signature is its luxurious rooms with private open-air baths fed directly by natural hot spring water.
There are five room types, including Japanese-Western rooms combining a Japanese room with a sunken kotatsu and a bedroom, pure Japanese-style rooms with a 12-tatami room and a wide engawa-style sitting area, and Western-style rooms furnished with a queen-size bed.
You can choose the one that best suits the purpose of your trip and your travel companions.