The Aizu Festival is one of the largest fall events in the Aizu Area. The main feature of the festival is the Aizu Hanko Gyoretsu, a procession of Aizu Domain Lords.
Headed by flag-bearers holding the flags of the successive feudal lords of the Aizu Domain, the procession is attended by participants representing well-known feudal lords such as Lord Uesugi, Lord Hoshina, and Lord Matsudaira, and by groups of festival participants wearing garments and carrying tools associated with each of these lords.
Each year, some 500 people parade through downtown Aizu-Wakamatsu in an event that magnificently recreates the world of samurai. Before the procession starts off, there is a kick-off ceremony at Tsurugajo Castle.
Visitors can enjoy watching the sword dancing of the Byakkotai worriors and sword fight performances given by professional actors, with the castle keep of Tsurugajo in the background.
| Website | https://samurai-city.jp/en/experience/2132 |
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| Contact | Aizuwakamatsu Tourism and Local Products Association (+81) 242-24-3000 |
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| Parking | Toll parking at Tsurugajo Castle and other locations. Temporary parking will also be available around the venues. |
| Related info | Festival Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM each day |
| Access | Tsurugajo Castle and other venues in Aizu-Wakamatsu City View directions |
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| Getting there | Directions to Tsurugajo Castle By Car: 20 min from Aizu-Wakamatsu I.C. exit off the Ban-etsu Expressway By Train: 15 min bus ride from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station on the JR Ban-etsu West Line |
Local farmers and agricultural associations offer a variety of authentic agricultural experiences, and are all waiting to provide you an unforgettable experience with a range of activities tailored for families, friends, schools, and company outings. Visitors can join farmers for a one-day farm experience, while taking in the beautiful nature of the Aizu region.
You can now try on yukata or kimono at Tsuruga Kimono Rental Shop, which opened in April 2019. Tsuruga Kimono Rental Shop is located on the second floor of Tsurugajo Kaikan, which is right next to Tsurugajo Castle in Aizu-Wakamatsu City. Rent a kimono or yukata and take photos with friends and family in front of the castle, or venture a bit further to the historical Nanokamachi-dori Street to feel like you have stepped back in time. Come and make some great memories in Aizu-Wakamatsu City!
Tsukimigaoka Chomin Center (a town hall-turned-hotel which is only a 20-minute walk from Aizu Yanaizu Station) is known for their famous sauce katsudon lunch. This dish contains fried pork cutlet and a simple egg omelet on rice which is covered with a savory sauce that simply melts in your mouth. There are other places in Yanaizu that serve the katsudon dish as well, but according to local opinion, the katsudon at Yanaizu Chomin Center is hard to beat. Why not stop by and fill your stomach before taking in the other local sights? There are even some great shared hot spring baths, which can be enjoyed as day visit onsen. There are plenty of nearby attractions. Enjoy your time hiking or fishing or at the nearby Kiyoshi Saito Museum of Art or the beautiful and serene Enzoji Temple. Kiyoshi Saito Museum of Art houses works by esteemed woodblock artist Kiyoshi Saito and the beautiful works he created throughout his lifetime. At the Enzoji Temple experience tranquility and nature, also learn about the origin legend of the akabeko, the nodding red cow famous in the area. And only a 15-minute drive away you can look at the No. 1 Tadami River Bridge View Spot; this bridge offers a spectacular sight of the Tadami River and the surrounding nature.
Suzutake workshop tours began in the 1950s as a way of providing families with a chance to learn about the history and artistry of lacquerware. Even today, visitors are able to actually see artisans at work at three key stages of the Aizu lacquerware making process: 1) applying a base layer of unrefined lacquer or astringent liquid to wood; 2) adding additional layers of lacquer in a desired style, and 3) adding hand-drawn delicate designs ('makie') using either colored lacquer or gold and silver power (a technique called 'Sunken gold makie'). Visitors can also take part in a makie-painting experience.
Snow sculptures big and small take center stage at this exciting, local snow festival. Try out local cuisine and browse traditional locally-made crafts at the Tadami Furusato Snow Festival. As night closes in, the snow sculptures are dramatically lit up. They look even more fantastic when surrounded with the light of the fireworks display that is held on Saturday and Sunday evening.
Aizu Painted Candles are one of Aizu’s most well-loved traditional crafts. Aizu Painted Candle Festival was started in order to let people all over Japan (and all over the world) know about this traditional craft, and to give people an appreciation for the work that is needed to make every single candle. Take in the picturesque snowy scenery in Aizu-Wakamatsu City by candlelight this winter. Aizu Painted Candle Festival takes place at Tsurugajo Castle and Oyakuen Garden on the second Friday and Saturday of February.
Nakayama Setsugekka Snow Festival is held every year on the third Saturday of February. The contrast between the snow, moon and candlelight, which becomes greater as the dark of the night deepens, creates a radiant and magical atmosphere. The views to be enjoyed at Nakayama during festival time are so special that Nakayama has been designated as one of Japan's Night View Heritage Sites.
Ouchi-juku’s rows of thatched-roof houses (which date back to the Edo Period) are transformed into a winter wonderland during Ouchi-juku Snow Festival, which takes place every February. Bright white snow falls and slowly builds up, as candles burn bright in snow lanterns, bathing the old post town in warm light. Various events are held during the two-day festival, the highlight being the fireworks on the first evening.----------------------------Snow Festival Schedule for 2024Getting to Ouchi-juku BY LOCAL TRAIN & BUS 2024:Download in PDF:Ouchi-juku Snow Festival 2024 The Event Scedule & The Special Schedule for Public Transportation Note added on January 9, 2024.We checked with the bus company that operates the Saruyugo Bus to see if reservations can be made. They are accepting reservations through their reservation website or by phone. Reservations have priority. The reservation site was only in the Japanese language, so we strongly recommend that you use the translation function to make reservations.Saruyugo Bus Reservationhttp://london-taxi.jp/saruyu_reserve/