Aizu Festival

Aizu Festival

The 2026 festival will be held 19-21 September 2026, with the main event of the parade and performances held on Sunday 20th.

The Aizu Festival is the biggest event of the year for the historic Aizu region. The main feature of the festival is the Aizu Hanko Gyoretsu, a procession of Aizu Domain lords and samurai.

Headed by flag-bearers holding the standards of the feudal lords of the Aizu Domain, the procession is attended by participants representing well-known feudal lords such as Lord Uesugi, Lord Hoshina, and Lord Matsudaira, and by groups of festival participants wearing garments and carrying tools associated with each of these lords.

Each year, some 500 people parade through downtown Aizu-Wakamatsu in an event that magnificently recreates the world of samurai. Before the procession starts off, there is a kick-off ceremony at Tsurugajo Castle.

Visitors can enjoy watching the sword dancing of the Byakkotai warriors and sword fight performances given by professional actors, with the castle keep of Tsurugajo in the background.

Overseas visitors or Japan residents can also join the parade in samurai armour: for more information, see the reservation page.

2026 Schedule:

Full details of the 2026 schedule here (in Japanese).

19 September 2026 (Saturday)

18:00 - 19:00 Lantern parade: Local schoolchildren will walk from Tsurugajo Castle to Shinmei Street carrying lanterns.

19:00 - 20:30 Aizu-Bandaisan Mountain Dance: Held around a tower set up on Shinmei Street. Anyone is free to join in.

Main day: 20 September 2026 (Sunday)

10:00 Samurai Procession: The procession leaves from Tsurugajo Castle and carries on through the city, ending at roughly 1pm or 2pm. More events are held at the castle and around the city; please check the above English pamphlet for more details.

19:00 - 20:30 Aizu-Bandaisan Mountain Dance: Held around the tower on Shinmei Street. Anyone is free to join in.

21 September 2026 (Monday, public holiday)

10:00 Nisshinkan Children's Parade: Children march through the streets (starting from 中央通り, Chuo Street, heading towards the castle) dressed as members of the legendary Byakkotai (White Tiger Corps) or Swords Corps.

Same time: Drum and Flute Corps Parade: Students from around 20 elementary schools in the city perform with traditional drum and flute.

Venue Details

Venue Details
Websitehttps://samurai-city.jp/en/experience/2132
Contact

Aizuwakamatsu Tourism and Local Products Association

(+81) 242-24-3000

Best Season
  • Autumn
ParkingPaid parking at Tsurugajo Castle and other locations. Temporary parking will also be available around the venues.
Related infoFestival Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM each day
Access Details
AccessTsurugajo Castle and other venues in Aizu-Wakamatsu City
View directions
Getting there

Directions to Tsurugajo Castle

By Car: 20 min from Aizu-Wakamatsu I.C. exit off the Ban-etsu Expressway

By Train: 15 min bus ride from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station on the JR Ban-etsu West Line

(See here for more)

Fukushima Festival Guide

Nearby

The World Glassware Hall
Cultural Experiences

Aizu Hongo Pottery Workshops

A little-known treasure, Aizu Hongo pottery (known in Japanese as 'hongo-yaki') is the oldest type of pottery in the Tohoku region. Aizu Hongo pottery's history dates back to the Warring States Period (1467 – 1615), when Ujisato Gamo, leader of the Aizu clan, ordered renovations be made to Tsurugajo Castle. The production of ceramic tiles for the castle roof kick-started the tradition of making pottery in Aizu-Misato Town. During the early 1600s, Masayuki Hoshina (who founded the Matsudaira house) invited ceramic craftsmen to Aizu-Misato from Owari - a region famous for its pottery - in order to increase the skills of locals.It was from this time that Aizu Hongo-yaki production began in earnest. At the peak of its popularity, there were more than 100 potteries in the town. There are currently 13 left, which are centered around Setomachi in Aizu-Misato. The rich variety of wares produced from workshop to workshop is just one of the fascinating things about visiting the area. Aizu-Misato Town is also known for the area's unusual ability to produce both great-quality earthenware and delicate porcelain.Please enjoy taking a look around the various shops, workshops, and kilns, and try making pottery for yourself!
The World Glassware Hall
Cultural Experiences

Paint Your Own Akabeko

Bookings for the akabeko painting can be made on the official reservation page.What is 'Akabeko'?The akabeko legend started at Enzoji Temple in Yanaizu Town, in the Aizu region. The construction of this temple began in the year 807, but due to a huge earthquake at the end of the seventeenth century, it had to be repaired in 1617. It was during the reconstruction of the temple that the akabeko became a folk legend.It is said that moving the wood and other supplies necessary for the reconstruction work was incredibly difficult because materials had to be transported from various villages upstream of the Tadami River. The materials were heavy and the journey to the temple was long. Cattle were used to transport materials, but many struggled to bear their loads.Then, out of nowhere, appeared a cow with a red coat. (It should be noted that, in the past, the word ‘red’ was used to describe the color ‘brown’, so it is likely that it was a brown cow.) The red cow supported the other cows and helped the priests who were constructing the temple until it was completed. Then, it suddenly vanished.'Akabeko' means 'red cow' in the local dialect.A number of statues of the cow were built inside the temple grounds so that the people of Yanaizu could express their gratitude to the akabeko.In the years following, there was a range of legends about the akabeko, with stories such as families who owned akabeko being rid of sickness upon stroking the cows. They continued to hold their status of bringers of good luck and strength. Families bought or made akabeko toys for their young children to play with.Akabeko Painting ExperiencesIn recent history, the Aizu tradition of painting akabeko began. It is said that this tradition started as something to do for children visiting Aizu-Wakamatsu City as part of school trips. This was when the story of the Akabeko evolved once more, into its newest papier-mâché form. The stripes on the face and back of the papier-mâché Akabeko are said to represent strength and perseverance.There are a number of workshops in Aizu-Wakamatsu City where you can paint your own Akabeko. Most workshops offer the standard red, white, and black paint. These talismans for good health make very cute and lightweight souvenirs to take home for family and friends – or keep for yourself! Those who prefer to buy a ready-painted Akabeko will be able to find it at most souvenir shops.BookingIf you would like to book an akabeko painting experience at the Tsurugajo Kaikan (a shopping complex located next to Tsurugajo Castle), please access this page.
The World Glassware Hall
Cultural Experiences

Mitsutaya

Mitsutaya is a speciality restaurant with roots dating back to the end of the Edo Period (around 1835). The restaurant is situated in a renovated miso storehouse. It is therefore fitting that the restaurant is famous for a local Aizu meal called 'miso dengaku'. Miso dengaku refers to skewered vegetables and meat which are topped with a miso paste before being cooked over an open flame. The skewers are cooked one by one. Skewer ingredients include konjac, deep-fried tofu, sticky, savory rice balls called 'shingoro mochi', and more. Each small dish is coated in miso for an unforgettable and savory flavor.  

The World Glassware Hall
Cultural Experiences

Mori no Bunko Fuzawa

Mori no Bunko Fuzawa is a mountain village life workshop facility where guests can experience the lifestyle, nature, and charms of living in a Japanese rural mountain village. [photo id="wedA3wsHghGka5MbrORGYjRkj8BGAinlLCOG5O0L.jpg"] This building was a working school up to 40 years ago, the black board in one classroom where all of the students wrote their goodbye messages on the last day of school has been preserved as is. (If you visit, please be sure to avoid touching, erasing, or writing on the black board.) [photo id="fNNbYszCkKk3qvw1ozp5lY5yn8UDJPkrsrHf05Jf.jpg"] All three classrooms are available to stay the night in! Guests are charged per person, not per room, so if your group are the only ones staying the night then you are free to spread out into all three of the rooms. This is the kind of lodging that Japanese students would stay in on overnight school trips, so there is a sense of nostalgia when staying here.  There are also many different activities that you can experience when staying here, such as local and traditional craft making and even river trekking with local guides! Read more about river trekking experiences here. [photo id="YrRrT5cHuDe3wK75RWrxgat8d8JPQP9P7bQgJwuY.jpg"]

Discover Aizu Area

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In this class, you’ll learn some of the sword techniques patented by Tetsuro Shimaguchi, the founder of the ‘Kengido’ blend of combat and performance. He’s also known for his work as a choreographer in the action sequences of Quentin Tarantino’s KILL BILL, VOL.1.This workshop takes place in the historic dojo of the Ookawaso onsen hotel, nestled in the crook of the Okawa river south of Aizu-Wakamatsu City. The hotel is also well-known for its resemblance to Infinity Castle from the Demon Slayer anime series.The typical class schedule is as follows:Class 1: 10:15 - 11:00Class 2: 11:15 - 12:00Those looking to apply, please send an email to kengido@k2c.jp with the following information: Your name (and the names of any extra participants) Your contact information Your intended time and date to book How many peopleAs currently planned, dates for classes at Ookawaso are as follows:September 21October 12November 23Please direct any enquiries to kengido@k2c.jp. (English or Japanese)
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