The weather wasn't great when I visited—there was a light drizzle and the cold wind was really biting. I only stayed for a short while before leaving.
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Tsurugajo Castle
One of the Top 100 Japanese Castles and one of the three most famous castles in Fukushima, this castle is called the "impregnable great castle."
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The castle is a cherry blossom viewing spot and the symbol of Aizu Wakamatsu City. Its official name is Wakamatsu Castle, and it is also sometimes called Aizu Castle or Aizu Wakamatsu Castle. The castle tower, the only one in Japan covered with red tiles, preserves the beautiful appearance of the castle in the feudal era.
At the end of the 16th century, Ujisato Gamo, who Hideyoshi transferred, built a full-scale modern castle with stone walls and a castle tower and renamed the town from Kurokawa to Wakamatsu. It is said that the name "Tsurugajo" was named after Ujisato's childhood name, "Tsuruchiyo. " (Various theories exist).
In 1643, the castle became the residence of the Aizu Matsudaira family. During the Boshin War that began in January 1868 at the end of the Edo period, the battlefield was shifted to Aizu in August, and the castle was besieged from August 22. Still, it withstood bombardment by the new government forces for over a month and was called "a great impregnable castle. However, the battle severely damaged the castle, and it was torn down in 1874, leaving only its stone walls.
Full-scale restoration of the castle did not begin until after World War II, and the keep that can be seen today was rebuilt in reinforced concrete in 1965. Inside the castle keep is the “Wakamatsu Castle Keep Local History Museum”, where materials related to the region's history are on display. From the castle tower, visitors can see the town of Aizu and Mt. Iimori, where the Byakkotai (A boy's army organized by the sons of Aizu clan soldiers during the Boshin War) committed suicide.
The castle ruins are designated as a national historic site as "Wakamatsu Castle Ruins." In spring, visitors can enjoy the sight of the castle floating in a sea of approximately 1,000 cherry trees. In addition, the "Chashitsu-Rinkaku," a tea house associated with Shoan, a son of Sen no Rikyu, is located within the castle's main citadel.
Highlights
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The "Hishiki-yagura" (food storage) and the "Minami-hashirinagaya" (weapons storage), both of which were restored using Edo period construction methods, are also must-see sights.
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The cherry blossoms are beautifully illuminated when the 1,000 cherry trees bloom (illumination is available throughout the year).
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You can also savor powdered green tea (for a fee) in the tasteful tea room of the tea ceremony house Rinkaku.
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The Aizu Utsushikagami (Aizu Utsushikagami) is lit up from sunset to around 10:00 p.m.
Photos
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Light up with beautiful gradation of colors. Colors change with the seasons
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Fierce battles were fought during the Boshin War
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Beautiful in winter when it is covered with snow
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Tsurugajo Park, developed in the area, is also famous for its cherry blossoms.
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The castle symbolized Aizu-Wakamatsu and was renovated in 2011, replacing the red kawara-roof tiles in their original appearance
Reviews
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Partially translated by AI.
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The pure white castle with cherry blossoms as a backdrop is absolutely gorgeous. At night, the castle is lit up and you can enjoy the cherry blossoms under the lights too.
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It's listed as one of Japan's top 100 castles. The main keep tells the story of the Byakkotai, the brave young warriors from the end of the Edo period.
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The castle keep is on higher ground, so you'll need to take your time walking up.
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The cherry blossoms here are stunning! You really have to visit in person to experience it.
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 鶴ヶ城
- Postal Code
- 965-0873
- Address
- 8-1 Hanaharumachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima
- Telephone
- 0242-27-2472
- Holiday
- Open every day
- Business Hours
- 8:30am-5:00 (Admission allowed until 4:30pm)
- Admission
- Adults: 410 yen (common ticket for the Tenshukaku-castle tower and the Rinkaku-Chashitsu: 520 yen for adults), elementary and junior high school students: 150 yen
- Directions
- Take the Haikara-san bus from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station, get off at the Tsurugajo Iriguchi bus stop, and walk 5 minutes.
- Credit Cards
- Not accepted
- Official Website
- Official Website (Japanese)