Discover Samurai Culture in Historic Aizu-Wakamatsu

【OUTLINE】

Experience the 400-year history of Tsuruga Castle and the townscape, culture, and spirit shaped by the samurai of Aizu, guided by a knowledgeable local expert with deep insight into the region.

【HIGHLIGHTS】

• Experience the samurai culture deeply rooted in Aizu through visits to Tsuruga Castle, the historic castle town, and the traditional tea house Rinkaku.
• Engage with a knowledgeable local guide and enjoy meaningful interactions with local residents while exploring the town on foot.

【SCHEDULE】

[09:00]  Meet and registration at Tsuruga Castle

Learn about the spiritual traditions of the samurai and the tea ceremony at Rinkaku, Tsuruga Castle. (1 hour 30 minutes, includes a tea break)

[10:30]  Castle town walking tour (1 hour 30 minutes)

Experience the historic townscape where samurai and merchants once lived and worked together in Aizu-Wakamatsu

[12:00]  Tour concludes in Aizu-Wakamatsu

Please note: As this program is designed as a walking tour, transportation will primarily be on foot.

【DETAILS】

Aizu-Wakamatsu – A Castle Town Where the Samurai Spirit Lives On
Centered around Tsuruga Castle, Aizu-Wakamatsu is the historic heart of the Aizu region.
The town preserves the culture, traditions, and spirit shaped by generations of samurai.

●Tsuruga Castle
Originally built in 1384, this iconic castle with its distinctive red roof symbolizes Aizu-Wakamatsu.
Visitors can explore the castle tower and museum to learn about samurai life and regional history.

●Rinkaku Tea House
Located in Tsuruga Castle Park, Rinkaku offers a peaceful space to enjoy matcha and traditional sweets while experiencing Aizu’s tea culture.

●Noguchi Hideyo Youth Street
Named after Hideyo Noguchi, this historic street features traditional merchant storehouses and sites related to the Boshin War, along with cafés and long-established shops such as the bamboo craft store Taketō.

【THINGS TO NOTE】

• Duration：3 hours
• Meeting point：Tsuruga Castle [MAP]
  1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Fukushima
• Access：Tokyo Station / Sendai Station→ (Tohoku Shinkansen) → Koriyama → (Banetsu West Line) → Aizu-Wakamatsu 
• Minimum number of participants：2 people
• Language support：Japanese, English, Spanish 
• Included：
  ・Guide Fee
  ・Admission fees for Tsuruga Castle and Rinkaku
  ・Tea and sweets at Rinkaku
• Excluded：
  ・Round-trip transportation to the venue
  ・Personal expenses for souvenirs, food, and drinks.
• Items to bring：None
• Clothes：Comfortable clothes and shoes
• Free Wi-Fi：Not available
• Toilet： Yes (Japanese-style / Western-style) 
• Other things to note：
  ・In the event that the tour cannot be held due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances, the tour operator will notify you via email by 3:00 PM the day before the scheduled date.
  ・If the tour is unavoidably cancelled due to weather, a full refund will be issued to the customer.

【CANCELLATION POLICY】

Up to 72 hours before the start time: 0% charge
Within 72 hours of the start time: 100% charge
Cancellation after the start time or no-show: 100% charge