Japan has four distinct seasons and you can find the different beautiful scenery for the tourist attraction in each season. As our second article of “Four Seasons Series”, We will introduce Tsuruga-jo Castle(鶴ヶ城), having a reputaion of the most impregnable castle, attracts many tourists throughtout the year.
Tsuruga-jo Castle
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
Tsuruga-jo Castle(鶴ヶ城) is located on Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. It had been controlled by many feudal Lords since the Sengoku period which many hard battles occurred domestically in Japan. The castle is known as a impregnable castle because it held out a long siege at the battle of Boshin War against the newly formed Meiji government. Now it has been accurately reconstructed to its original condition and the entire castle is nationally designed as a historic site.
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
The castle was destroyed in 1874 under the order from the Meiji government. However, it was rebuit in 1965, and additionally Hoshiii Yagura (food storehouse) and Minamihashiri Nagaya (arms storehouse) restored in 2001with construction methods and techniques used in Edo Period. The roof color of the castle tower has repainted to red, which is an unique characteristic among Japanese castles.
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
Tsuruga-jo museum, inside the main tower, displays the interesting historical materials including Boshin War. Also, visitors can see a magnificent view of Aizu Basin and Mt. Bandaisan from observatories at the top of the main tower.
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
Seasonal scenery of Tsuruga-jo Castle
(Spring) Tsuruga-jo Castle is famous for cherry blossom spot where cherry trees beautifully bloom around castle towers, moat and castle walls. Visitors can enjoy the fantastic view when the castle and cherry blossoms are lit up in the evening.
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
(Summer) “Aizu Matsuri Festival” is held every September. The main attraction of the festival is “Aizuhanko Gyoretsu”, which five hundred of people dressing up in costumes of samurai and lord parade through the city starting from Tsuruga-jo Castle.
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
(Autumn) The castle and autumn leaves lit up in the evening are very impressive.
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
(Winter) “Aizu Candle Festival” is held every Febraury. During the festival, 10,000 candles are lighted throughout the city. Visitors can enjoy the romantic view looking down from observatories at the top of the castle tower.
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
photo by Fukushima Prefecture Tourism Association
Spot Information
| Name | Tsuruga-jo Castle(鶴ヶ城) | |
| Address | 1-1 Outemachi, Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima, Japan | |
| Hours | (Castle tower)8:30 – 17:00 | |
| Closed | – | |
| Fees | (Castle tower)General: 410 yen / Elementary and Junior High School Students: 150 yen | |
| Website | http://www.tsurugajo.com |
Access
 |
Route1 | |
| From Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, 20 minutes by Aizu Loop Bus. | ||
| View Map |
