Aizuwakamatsu city, located at Fukushima Prefecture in Tohoku(North-eastern) area in Japan. It’s my second stop in my 17-days winter journey in Japan. It’s a popular spot for cherry blossom and autumn leaves. If you come here in winter, you can enjoy the marvelous snow view of the Tsuruga Castle and the city in black and white.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. A day in Aizuwakamatsu
2. TOP 1 must-see landmark: Tsuruga Castle
3. Aizuwakamatsu – “home village” of Samurai
4. Sightseeing in Aizuwakamatsu
5. The vintage steam train departs from Aizuwakamatsu
Tsuruga Castle, one of the TOP 100 castle in Japan, is the only one with red tile rooftop.
Seasonal scenery
In spring and autumn, Tsuruga Castle is a famous sightseeing spot for the cherry blossom and autumn leaves view.
In winter, the snow turns it into a clean white world of serenity. The castle tower covered by snow is the seasonally limited scenery here. And that’s the main reason I came for.
Get to the observation deck and you’ll find the view even more marvelous. The city view in front of you is just like a black & white painting.
Every time I visit a castle in Japan, I’ll get to the observation deck at the top flour. Coz I really enjoy that feeling. In front of you are countless small houses and buildings. When you looking at the furthest point, you can’t see clearly what’s out there but infinity. The Sky and the ground merge into a line. The wind at the top is strong but yet it wakes your brain up. The cold air passes through your head, nose, and ear and it vitalizes your mind.
Aizu Painted Candle Festival
The painted candle is the traditional craft in Aizu area. From waxing, painting to polishing. Every step is performed by the talented artisan on hand. Each year in early February, the Painted Candle Festival is held in Aizuwakamatsu city to promote and pass on this traditional art. The main venue is in Tsuruga Castle and Oyakuen Garden, but the light-up area extended to the main streets in the city. (image from 会津まつり協会)
Official site：http://aizu.com/erousoku/index.html
