Tsurugajo Castle
Bask in Wakamatsu’s splendor atop Japan’s only red-and-white castle
A time capsule of Feudal Japan, Tsuruga Castle offers a peek into the age of the samurai.
Overview
Having weathered the storms of war over a 600-year period, the origins of Tsuruga Castle, also known as Wakamatsu Castle, date back to the 14th-century. First built by Ashina Naomori as the Higashi-Kurokawa Hall in 1384, it became Tsuruga Castle in 1593, having been renovated as eastern Japan’s first full-scale castle keep. This impenetrable fortress went on to withstand a month-long siege during the post-Meiji Restoration Boshin War (1868-69), only being dismantled during the subsequent Meiji era.
History
Fully reconstructed in 1965 with a restored tea house and corner turret, the roof was retiled in 2011, and now showcases its distinctive red tiles from the Edo period. Tsuruga Castle now serves as a memorial to these feudal times, and a museum about samurai in Japan.
Inside the Castle
Officially referred to as the Wakamatsu Castle Tower Local History Museum, the exhibits within this castle-turned-museum are plentiful. With each floor of the keep showcasing a different theme of the fortress’s impressive past. From its succession of Feudal lords, its integral ties to Aizu, and its role in war, this truly is a journey through (bloody) history. From atop the keep, guests are treated to a perfectly panoramic view of the stunning nature that envelops the castle, with the Aizu Basin stretching far across the horizon.
Highlights
The unusual color combination of the red roof tiles and white walls is not only a signifier of the Edo period, a time of great importance for the castle’s history, but it also alludes to the color palette of the crane (Tsuru) from which it gets its name. Surrounding the castle is a luscious park, blooming with sakura in the spring, and hosting guests at the Rinkaku Teahouse all year round. Guests are encouraged to stop here for a moment to enjoy a cup of green tea and take in the calming sights and sounds of the teahouse garden.
Phone number
+81-242-27-4005
Contact
Tsurugajo Management Office
Business hours
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Last entry at 4:30 p.m.)
Holiday
Open year-round
MAP
Nearby Sightseeing Spots
Aizu Kendo Experience
Kick it old school in Aizuwakamatsu as you learn the basics of Japanese swordplay in one of Japan’s most revered samurai cities, right in the heart of Fukushima.
Art & Culture
History
Activities
Experience
Family Fun
Sites
Traditions
FUKUSHIMA
Showa Natsukashikan
History lovers will delight in this charming display of Japanese life in the 1950s.
The Showa Natsukashikan is located on the second floor of COTT'N CLUB AIZU, an antique store that faces the histo…
Art & Culture
History
Experience
Family Fun
FUKUSHIMA
Shibukawa Donya
This stunning building preserves three eras of Japan’s history and serves the unique cuisine of this samurai castle town from days long past. Immerse yourself in Aizu-Wakamatsu’s cultural history at t…
History
Cuisine
Experience
FUKUSHIMA
Aizu Kendo Experience
Kick it old school in Aizuwakamatsu as you learn the basics of Japanese swordplay in one of Japan’s most revered samurai cities, right in the heart of Fukushima.
Showa Natsukashikan
History lovers will delight in this charming display of Japanese life in the 1950s. The Showa Natsukashikan is located on the second floor of COTT'N CLUB AIZU, an antique store that faces the histo…
Shibukawa Donya
This stunning building preserves three eras of Japan’s history and serves the unique cuisine of this samurai castle town from days long past. Immerse yourself in Aizu-Wakamatsu’s cultural history at t…