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 - 11:00
Class 2: 11:15 - 12:00
Those looking to apply, please send an email to kengido@k2c.jp with the following information:
As currently planned, dates for classes at Ookawaso are as follows:
September 21
October 12
November 23
Please direct any enquiries to kengido@k2c.jp. (English or Japanese)
| Website | http://www.samurai-kengido.com/(Japanese) |
|---|---|
| Related info | Adults: 3,000 yen for one lesson, 5,000 yen for two lessons Children: 2,000 yen for one lesson, 3,000 yen for two lessons |
| Access | 969-5147 Fukushima, Aizuwakamatsu, Otomachi Oaza Ashinomaki, 字下平９８４ View directions |
|---|---|
| Getting there | 2nd Floor Dojo, Aizu Ashinomaki Hot Spring Resort Ookawaso (Guests arriving by car, please use parking lot No. 7) 30 min drive from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station 52 min bus from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station |
Experience canoeing at Lake Hibara, one of Urabandai’s largest lakes! Outdoor Sports Club Bacss offers a range of fun tours and activities centred around Lake Hibara that you can join with family and friends, including trekking, canoeing and fishing.
When visiting Tsurugajo Castle, remember to check out the Rinkaku Tea Ceremony Room, which is situated inside the castle grounds. The beautiful Japanese garden surrounding the tea room is well worth a visit. What's more, you can enjoy traditional Japanese matcha tea together with a seasonal treat, all while looking out at the fantastic foliage of the garden.
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 Mitsuishi Shrine (Three Stones Shrine) is located a short 10-minute walk from Tadami Station in Tadami Town. Ichinoiwa, Ninoiwa and Saniwa are the three large stones that have spritual significance. Ichinoiwa (the first stone) is thought to improve intelligence, Ninoiwa (the second stone) is thought to improve eyesight, and Saniwa (the third stone) is thought to improve connections with others, particularly romantic love. The Saniwa is a popular place to visit for those who are hoping to get married someday. To reach the shrine there is a short hike through dense forest, so it is recommended that visitors wear shoes that are easy to walk in.
Ouchi-juku’s rows of thatched-roof houses (which date back to the Edo Period) are transformed into a winter wonderland during Ouchi-juku Snow Festival, which takes place every February. Bright white snow falls and slowly builds up, as candles burn bright in snow lanterns, bathing the old post town in warm light. Various events are held during the two-day festival, the highlight being the flaming torch parade and fireworks on the first evening.The 2026 festival will be held Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th February, 2026.The schedule for last year can be found on the Ouchi-juku Tourism Association website in Japanese, or as below in English. Although this is last year's schedule, the 2026 schedule is identical -- only the dates are different.Getting to Ouchi-juku BY LOCAL TRAIN & BUS 2025:Full-size PDFs of the bus scheduleFull-size PDFs of the bus schedule
Held in the town of Aizu-Bange to the northwest of Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Otawara Hiki is a fierce display of community spirit and competitive energy that traces its roots back to the Edo period. It's the main attraction of the so-called 'Strange Festival', which takes place on 14 January every year.There is a children's event, featuring local students, before the main bout is fought over a large bale between teams representing the west (the white team) and the east (the red team). Despite the cold, the male participants take part largely in loincloths, while female participants wear a traditional festival light coat. It's said that if the east team wins, business will prosper in the coming year, while if the west team wins, it means there will be a bountiful harvest.The festival was first founded over 400 years ago in the Warring States Period, but was abolished by the Imperial government after the Aizu Domain's loss under the shogun in the Boshin War (civil war) of 1868. The tradition was restarted roughly a century later in 1956, and has continued to this day.Before the tug-of-war, there are taiko drum performances, and afterwards visitors can enjoy a dramatic display of the pounding of mochi by local experts, cheered on by the crowd, and receive a miniature bale said to bring good luck.Members of the public can also join the tug-of-war if they apply in advance. Please contact us for more details.A similar Strange Festival takes place in nearby Aizu-Misato on 11 January, also featuring a tug-of-war over a large bale, albeit wearing more layers than their counterparts in Aizu-Bange.Otawara Hiki– Event Schedule (2026)12:50 Tawara-daiko Performance Taiko drum performance by the Aizubange Town taiko group13:20 East vs. West Kotawara Hiki (Small Bale Pulling) Children compete by pulling a small straw bale (approx. 1.5 m high × 2.2 m long, weighing 1 ton)14:00 Otawara Hiki (Giant Bale Pulling) Teams pull a giant straw bale (approx. 2.5 m high × 4 m long, weighing 5 tons)14:45 Mochi Rice Cake Serving15:00 Fukumame Bale Tossing A total of 365 lucky small bales are thrown to the crowdFood stalls open from 11:00
The miko dance at Bandai Shrine is a traditional sacred performance passed down through generations in Bandai Town. It's performed as part of the wider Funahiki Festival, held on the spring equinox in March, which is a ritual to divine the year’s harvest. The dance itself is deeply connected to local beliefs and has long been preserved as a ceremonial offering to the gods.The dance is performed primarily by young girls, ranging from kindergarten age to junior high school students. They carry out the ritual movements in front of the shrine, to a musical accompaniment of drums and flutes. This intergenerational participation plays an important role in preserving the tradition and passing it down within the community.The performance consists of three distinct dances: the Sakaki Dance, the Bow Dance, and the Sword Dance. Each uses different ritual objects and has its own meaning and choreography. For example, dancers hold sacred sakaki branches, bows and arrows, or swords depending on the piece, reflecting ancient ceremonial practices that have been maintained over time. The dances are usually divided by age group.Typically performed by a group of four dancers, the choreography incorporates circular formations and flowing movements. Its style is considered somewhat unique, bearing closer resemblance to older forms of court or ritual dance than to more commonly seen shrine dances. Although its precise origins are unclear, it remains an important and protected element of the area’s intangible cultural heritage.The 'funahiki' tug-of-war event is open to anyone - please apply by 1pm before the contest starts at 2pm - and takes place shortly after the dancing is complete.The shrine is just down the road from the beautiful Enichiji Temple, although entry to the deepest part of the temple is typically restricted until the start of April.
Winter in Showa Village wouldn’t be complete without heavy snowfall – every year around 2 meters of snow piles in the village! Showa Village’s local people has adapted their way of working around the harsh conditions of winter over the generations by utilizing the long winter months to create crafts from weaving thread made of ramie (made from nettles). This photo shows an important part of this process – the bleaching of the fabric. Visitors can even experience making coasters made from ramie using traditional methods at Orihime Koryukan Building, located at Michi-no-Eki Karamushi Ori-no-Sato (Roadside Station)!The date of the 2021 Karamushi Ori-no-Sato Festival will be at the end of February 2021, and is currently being decided.