Aizu Festival 2026
Some 600 people parade in full samurai costume through Aizuwakamatsu in a 'Lord's Procession' honouring the clan that made a famous last stand in Japan's last civil war.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/09/19 01:00 – 2026/09/21
- Where
- Tsuruga Castle and central Aizuwakamatsu City（Tsuruga Castle, Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima）
- City
- Across Japan
- Getting there
- About 20 minutes by the 'Haikara-san' loop bus from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station to Tsuruga Castle.
- Price
- Free
- Organizer
- Aizu Festival Executive Committee
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- About 20 minutes by the 'Haikara-san' loop bus from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station to Tsuruga Castle. Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, families
Highlights
- The Aizu Hanko Procession — roughly 600 marchers in authentic samurai armour
- A torch-lit lantern procession from Tsuruga Castle on the opening evening
- Children's fife-and-drum corps and a closing ceremony at the castle
Background & story
Held each September around Tsuruga Castle, the festival honours the 3,000 Aizu clan members who fell in the 1868 Boshin War — including the teenage Byakkotai — and keeps the domain's samurai heritage alive.
Good to know
Visitors can sometimes apply in advance to march in the procession in rented armour — check the city tourism site months ahead if you want to take part.