Tsurugajo Castle

福島県

4.2

Tourist Information of This Area

general.prefecture.

The only castle in Japan that uses red tiles

A famous impregnable castle that withstood a month-long siege during the Boshin War. It is known for being the only castle in Japan to use "Akagawara" (red tiles) on its main tower. In the Honmaru (main keep), there is a tea room said to have been built by the son of Sen no Rikyu, where visitors can enjoy matcha tea.

Features & How to Enjoy

Classic HistoryRainny day

Highlights

Point 1

Vibrant Illumination of Tsurugajo Castle's Main Keep!

Tsurugajo Castle holds light-up events throughout the year, allowing visitors to enjoy the "vibrantly illuminated main keep" in any season. In spring, you can view the main keep alongside cherry blossoms at night, while in summer, you can take a stroll while listening to the sounds of insects. In autumn, the main keep shines in the colors of the autumn leaves, providing a soothing experience, and in winter, the snow-covered main keep sparkles white. Particularly during the seasons when cherry blossoms and autumn leaves are in full bloom, many citizens enjoy taking walks at night. Come visit Tsurugajo Castle at night and feel the seasonal atmosphere while gazing at the main keep floating in the night sky!

Point 2

Learn about the History of Aizu at the Museum inside Tsurugajo Castle

Tsurugajo Castle is not only impressive on the outside, but also has many attractions inside. The castle has been turned into a museum, with various exhibits displayed on each of its underground to 5th floors. The permanent exhibits include materials related to past lords, the turbulent times in Aizu, and famous people from Aizu's history. Visitors can learn about the history of Aizu through these exhibits. From the observation room on the top floor, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the city of Aizu. The admission fee for Tsurugajo Castle's main keep is 410 yen for adults and 150 yen for children. Those with disability certificates can enter for free.

Point 3

Enjoy Tea at the Tea Room "Rinkaku"

Located within Tsurugajo Park, the "Rinkaku" tea room is a designated important cultural property of Fukushima Prefecture that is said to have been built by Sen no Rikyu's son, Shoan. Here, you can enjoy tea and Japanese sweets while admiring the garden. The serene and calm atmosphere is truly a world of "wabi-sabi". The space conveys a sense of traditional scenery. After experiencing the history of Tsurugajo, we recommend enjoying tea elegantly at the Rinkaku tea room.

Point 4

Winter Candle Festival Held!

画像引用：会津若松観光ナビ

"Erouzoku" is a traditional craft of the Aizu region. In order to introduce the craftsmanship of these candles to many people, the "Erouzoku Festival" is held during the winter season in Aizu. About 10,000 candles are lit throughout the city, and Tsurugajo Castle is the main venue. The scene of candles glowing red in the snowy landscape is rustic yet fantastic. It's a winter tradition in Aizu, so be sure to stop by when visiting Aizu in the winter.

Point 5

Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom in Spring!

画像引用：会津若松観光ナビ

The grounds of Tsurugajo Castle are actually a famous cherry blossom spot. In spring, about 1,000 cherry blossom trees bloom, attracting crowds of flower-viewing visitors. The new variety of cherry blossom named "Haruka," named by the actress Haruka Ayase, who starred in the Taiga drama "Yae no Sakura," is also planted here and blooms beautifully every year in the outer moat. At Tsurugajo Castle, there are also flower-viewing events where you can enjoy sake while admiring the cherry blossoms. During the "Aizu Juroku Haru no Jin" festival, various food stalls are set up, making it possible to enjoy a stroll around Tsurugajo Castle while eating and drinking.

Point 6

Impressive Stone Walls Towering High

Heading towards Tsurugajo Castle from the Higashi-guchi parking lot, you can see the vermilion-colored "Corridor Bridge". While the bridge is beautiful, what's truly impressive is the stone walls visible from the bridge. The walls, towering nearly 20 meters high, surround Tsurugajo Castle and are arranged in a very orderly fashion. If you enter from the Kitademaru side, there is a place where an incredibly large stone is embedded in the wall called the "Yuujo Stone". It is said that this name comes from the fact that women danced on top of the stone to encourage those who transported heavy stones. This is a place that stone wall enthusiasts won't want to miss.

Point 7

Experience the Samurai Spirit at "Butokuden"

Within Tsurugajo Castle, there is the "Butokuden," which inherits the samurai spirit of Aizu and is still in active use today for various martial arts, including kendo. In the dojo, you can actually experience kendo, archery, and naginata. Additionally, there is a seasonal limited experience of dressing up in armor, where you can have your brave figure photographed with Tsurugajo Castle in the background. In Aizu, where the samurai spirit remains strong, why not touch the "samurai spirit" yourself?

Point 8

Relax and Shop at Tsurugajo Kaikan

画像引用：会津若松観光ナビ

Tsurugajo Kaikan, also known as "Tsurukan," is a tourist souvenir hall located at the entrance of Tsurugajo Castle. It offers a wide variety of souvenirs representing Aizu, such as Aizu lacquerware, famous sake, and confectionery. There are also shops that serve local dishes such as "wappa-meshi" (rice cooked in a wooden bowl), Kitakata ramen, and sauce katsu-don, allowing you to fully enjoy Aizu's specialties. In addition, the hall offers kimono rentals, making it possible to stroll around the castle in traditional Japanese attire. Starting a "Aizu walk" while wearing a kimono is also a great experience.

History

An Impregnable Castle with a 600-Year History

The history of Tsurugajo Castle is very old, beginning with its construction by Ashina Naomori in 1383. Many famous feudal lords, such as Date Masamune, Uesugi Kagekatsu, and Gamou Ujisato, also served as lords of the castle. In 1868, the most famous battle in the history of Tsurugajo Castle, the Boshin War, broke out. After enduring a month-long siege, the castle finally opened and became widely known as an "impregnable castle."

Parking

Three Main Parking Lots at Tsurugajo Castle!

There are mainly three parking lots in the vicinity of Tsurugajo Castle where you can park your car while sightseeing. First, the "Nishi-no-maru Parking Lot" is the closest to Tsurugajo Castle Keep. It can accommodate up to 200 cars and is the most popular as it is only 200 meters away from the castle keep. The second, "Higashi-guchi Parking Lot," is a bit further from the castle keep, but it is convenient for visiting the prefectural museum and Tsurugajo Sports Center in the area. It can accommodate up to 129 cars. The third, "Minami-guchi Parking Lot," is about 600 meters away from the castle keep and relatively small, accommodating only 35 cars. However, it is a hidden gem of a parking lot, so it's recommended to head straight to this parking lot during the tourist season.

Basic Information