Take a 4 1/2-hour journey north from Tokyo back to the samurai era.
The 2025 Aizu Festival will be held in Aizu Wakamatsu City from September 19 to 21. Aizu Wakamatsu, located in the southwestern part of Japan's Tohoku region, is known as the "City of Samurai."
Throughout the Edo period, the Aizu Domain was an important stronghold of the Tokugawa shogunate and one of the most powerful samurai domains.This festival is themed around "commemoration and gratitude to ancestors" and honors the 3,000 people from Aizu who lost their lives during the Boshin War, a civil war that took place from 1868 to 1869. The ceremonies will be held near "Tsuruga Castle" (also known as "Aizu Wakamatsu Castle"), it was selected by the Japan Castle Association as one of the "100 Famous Castles of Japan."
The festival takes three days, but the highlight is the Lord's Procession (Aizu Hanko Procession), a procession of 600 Aizu Domain lords and samurai.
Please check here for the festival schedule.
This video shows the 2022 event.
Highlights of Aizu Wakamatsu
Aizu Wakamatsu offers plenty to see besides the Aizu Festival. For example, the "Aizu Bukeyashiki" (Samurai Residence), a reconstructed samurai mansion turned museum,
the "Higashiyama Onsen," one of the top hot spring resorts in the Tohoku region,
and "Aizu Hanko Nisshinkan" (https://fukushima.travel/destination/aizu-hanko-nisshinkan/65), where children of the former Aizu clan studied bushido (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushido). Nisshinkan also provides hands-on activities such as Japanese archery, zen practice, local craft and painting activities, and more.
We highly recommend visiting Aizu Wakamatsu (https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/tohoku/fukushima/aizuwakamatsu-and-oze/) to enjoy the seasonal charm of Japan north of Tokyo.
Access to Aizu-Wakamatsu City
Take the Tobu Railway express train "Revaty Aizu (https://www.tobu.co.jp/en/express_info/express/revaty.html)" from Asakusa Station in Tokyo.At Aizu-Tajima Station, transfer to the Tobu Railway "Relay" train and proceed to Aizu Wakamatsu City.
This smooth and comfortable journey takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. Tobu Railway offers the "Yuttari (relaxing) Aizu Tobu Free Pass (https://www.tobu.co.jp/en/ticket/aizu.html)," which includes round-trip train tickets between Tokyo and Aizu, admission to Aizu regional tourist facilities, and other benefits.
About TOBU Railway
TOBU Railway Co., Ltd. is a major Japanese corporation consisting of 80+ companies. The Tobu Railway covers the longest operating distance in Metropolitan Tokyo, leading to numerous tourist attractions including: Asakusa and TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN in Tokyo; Nikko and Kinugawa-Onsen, famous for its world heritage sites and hot springs; the Tatebayashi and Ashikaga areas, known for their blooming flower fields; and Kawagoe and Tochigi City, where the atmosphere of the old Edo era lives on. Tobu is also invested in a portfolio of hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton Nikko, FUFU Nikko Onsen Resort, the Nikko Kanaya – the oldest Western-style hotel in Japan, and in Tokyo - the AC Marriott Ginza and family-oriented Tobu Asakusa hotel, among others. More information: https://www.tobu.co.jp/en/sightseeing/recommend/tourism/
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