Fukushima: Aizu Tsuruga Castle & Boshin War History Tour

Duration2h

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

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TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Discover the historical significance of Tsuruga Castle, the heart of the Aizu domain, on this in-depth guided tour. Delve into the disciplined society of the Aizu samurai, where loyalty and conduct shaped daily life amidst the backdrop of Japan’s Boshin War. As you ascend the castle, explore its architecture that reveals the complexities of power and governance, culminating in scenic views of the land they defended. The journey concludes at Rinkaku, a historic tea house, where you’ll engage in a traditional tea ceremony that embodies the values of calm and control cherished by the samurai.

- Guided exploration of Tsuruga Castle, focusing on Aizu's samurai culture
- Insight into the Boshin War and its impact on Aizu's history
- Participate in a traditional tea ceremony at the historic Rinkaku tea house
- Flexible participation options from Tsuruga Castle or Aizu-Wakamatsu Station

Options

Fukushima: Samurai Ethics and Daily Life in Aizu

Starting point:
7-Eleven; Aizu-Wakamatsu Catsle, 8-53 Higashisakaemachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima 965-0872, Japan

Aizu-Wakamatsu Station

Aizu-Wakamatsu Station
Starting point:
会津若松駅入口の赤べこ, Wakamatsuekimae, 1-1 Ekimaemachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima 965-0041, Japan

What's included

Visit to Rinkaku tea house
Guided tour of Tsuruga Castle
Tea & Sweats

Meals
Personal expenses

What to expect

Tsuruga jo Castle
1h 10m · Admission ticket included

Tsuruga Castle is the historic center of Aizu and a powerful symbol of samurai rule in northern Japan. Reconstructed on its original site, the castle stands out for its distinctive red roof tiles and strong defensive design. It played a key role during the Boshin War, Japan’s civil conflict at the end of the samurai era, when Aizu forces resisted the new imperial government. Today, the castle offers insight into how a feudal domain was governed, defended, and ultimately transformed at the moment Japan entered the modern age.
40m · Admission ticket included

Rinkaku is a historic tea house located within the grounds of Tsuruga Castle and closely associated with the lords of Aizu. Built in the early Edo period, it reflects the deep connection between samurai culture and the practice of tea. For the samurai, tea was not merely a social custom but a disciplined art that emphasized calmness, respect, and self-control. Rinkaku provides a quiet contrast to the castle’s military setting, highlighting the cultural and spiritual values that shaped samurai life.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

If you select the Aizu-Wakamatsu Station departure option, the meeting point is in front of the red Akabeko statue at the entrance of Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. Your guide will be waiting with a yellow signboard. Please refer to the map for details.

Meeting point

If you select the on-site meeting option, the meeting point is in front of the Seven-Eleven Tsuruga Castle Mae store. Your guide will be waiting with a yellow signboard. Please refer to the map for details.

End point

The tour ends within the Tsuruga Castle grounds, with convenient access to local buses and other transportation.

Additional information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

From

18,500.00 JPY per person

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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
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