【Tsuruga Castle summary】
Tsuruga Castle is said to have been built by Naomori Asina in 1384 as the Higashi-Kurokawa-kan, the predecessor of Wakamatsu Castle, and made its name known during the Boshin War as a famous castle that withstood a fierce one-month siege and defense. The castle was demolished in 1874, but rebuilt in 1965, and in 2000, the “dry rice turret” and “Minamisu Nagaya” were restored using Edo period construction methods and techniques. It is one of the 100 best castles in Japan.
【Tsuruga Castle scenery】
The moat and stone walls are magnificent, and I feel that this is a place that can be enjoyed along with the scenery of the four seasons.
Even though it is a reconstruction, it is very magnificent with beautiful chalk walls that are as white as Himeji Castle. However, although the castle looks magnificent on the outside, the inside has been remodeled like a museum. It is a reinforced concrete structure, similar to Osaka Castle.
Osaka Castle [Osaka]【Tsuruga Castle inside a castle】
The castle is a museum where you can see the four seasons of Tsurugajo using VR and learn about the Boshin War with a model, so you can feel the atmosphere of those days. The museum also provides detailed explanations of the people and matters involved in the Boshin War, so I thought it was a good place to study history. Be careful, as there are many NG (No Photo Shooting).
The view from the top five floors is spectacular, overlooking Mt. Iimori (where the Byakkotai soldiers committed suicide), Mt. Bandai, and Mukaihaguroyama Castle (now a castle ruin), one of the largest mountain castles in Japan.
【Tsuruga Castle Nearby attractions】
Aizu Sazae-do, Iimoriyama Itsukushima Shrine, Aizu Buke Yashiki, Higashiyama Onsen
【Tsuruga Castle Access】
Manager’s Comments
I knew about this castle from the Boshin War and the Byakkotai, but by visiting the inside of the castle, I could understand the history of this area. It is a representative tourist attraction of Aizu and a favorite destination for those who love Japanese swords. It is a representative sightseeing spot of Aizu, and those who like castles and Japanese swords will enjoy their time here.
1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Fukushima 965-0873
※Paid parking available. 300 yen for 2 hours