Aizu Painted Candle Festival

Aizu Painted Candle Festival

Aizu Painted Candles are one of Aizu’s most well-loved traditional crafts. Aizu Painted Candle Festival was started in order to let people all over Japan (and all over the world) know about this traditional craft, and to give people an appreciation for the work that is needed to make every single candle. Take in the picturesque snowy scenery in Aizu-Wakamatsu City by candlelight this winter. Aizu Painted Candle Festival takes place at Tsurugajo Castle and Oyakuen Garden on the second Friday and Saturday of February.

The 2025 festival will be held on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th February.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Websitehttp://www.aizu.com/erousoku/(Japanese)
Contact

Secretariat of the Aizu Candle Festival Executive Committee

Best Season
  • Winter
Access Details
AccessHeld at Tsurugajo Castle, Oyakuen, Aizu Bukeyashiki (Samurai Residence), in Aizu-Wakamatsu City
View directions
Getting there

By Train: 20 min by bus from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station

Nearby

The World Glassware Hall
Cultural Experiences

Aizu Painted Candles Craft Experience

Aizu Erosoku (painted candles) are sumptuous items that were long-prized among samurai families. Delicate and vivid patterns such as chrysanthemums, plum blossoms, and peonies are painted onto candles made of natural Japan wax extracted from the fruits of lacquer trees. Each candle is still painstakingly painted one by one, and they serve as regal decorations in Shinto and Buddhist ceremonies and weddings. A candle painting experience is available at Ozawa Candle Shop (Reservation required).
The World Glassware Hall
Cultural Experiences

Chinkin Taiken (Sunken-Gold Design Experience)

The Tradition of Aizu lacquerware in Fukushima Prefecture has continued for 400 years. Try out creating a design on Aizu Lacquerware with a technique called Chinkin ("Sunken-gold") at Tsunoda Lacquer Art Studio. Sketch your design on tracing paper, and then mark it onto the lacqerware with a needle. Tsunoda san will help you fill the grooves created by your needle with gold and silver powder to create your design. Alternatively, try painting your own design on Aizu lacquerware at the studio. Either experience will create a great souvenir of your trip in Japan. These experiences take about an hour.
Discover Aizu Area

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