The Tsurugajo in Aizu Wakamatsu with Beautiful Garden and Tea Rooms

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We’ve recently been to Aizu Wakamatsu in Fukushima and we found this castle located in the heart of the Wakamatsu area.
Let us introduce you to this beautiful castle that we’ve found.

Tsurugajo 【鶴ヶ城:つるがじょう】 Castle



Located in the heart of Aizu Wakamatsu area of Fukushima

This castle is currently known in two different names. One which is Wakamatsu Castle.
Originally built in 1384 as a house for the Ashina clan was later turned into a castle called the Kurokawa castle by the mid-15th century.
The current building that exists was built a few years after the world war two, as the previous castle was demolished by the government that was newly formed back in those days in 1874.



In front of the entrance to the castle was this unique character called the Oshirobo-Kun.
This is the character of the Aizu Wakamatsu city created to promote the city.

You can actually entre the castle as the interior of it has been restored in 1965 to a museum.
The admission fee is 520 yen, which includes a ticket to entre the Chashitsu, literally translated to the "tea room", an architectural structure built to hold Japanese tea ceremonies. 



Just to let you know, photos aren't allowed inside the building except at the top of the castle where you can see the great view of the garden that surrounds the castle along with the Aizu Wakamatsu city.



You can also see the interesting structure of the castle from a different angle.

The Chashitsu tea room Rinkaku【麟閣:りんかく】



Once you exit the castle, you can make your way to the tea room.



Look for this signboard. This is where the entrance to the tea room is.



After you enjoyed a short walk along the tea room, you can enjoy a bowl of Matcha green tea, there's an option of iced or hot, with a Japanese confectionery made of Japanese mountain yam and red bean paste.
We had the iced matcha, which was surprisingly refreshing.



If you visit the castle at night you will see it lit up with projection mappings.
Being autumn at the moment, it seems like the themed is the foliage of Japanese maple leaves.

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上半期振り返りその2 今日も上半期を振り返る意味を込めて4月から6月に各地で撮影した風景を投稿します✨やっぱり日本、四季がハッキリしていて飽きないです😊 #福島 #会津 #会津若松 #鶴ヶ城 #若松城  #蔵出し写真 #柳津町 #瑞光寺橋 #桜 #ソメイヨシノ #絶景 #喜多方市 #日中線しだれ桜並木 #三ノ倉高原  #菜の花畑 #幸せの鐘  #会津好きな人と繋がりたい #只見町 #大志集落  #田子倉ダム #只見川 #水鏡  #裏磐梯 #磐梯山 #五色沼 #エメラルドグリーン #只見線 #撮り鉄 #うつくしまふくしま #美しい日本

アイスコーヒーさん(@aizu1988)がシェアした投稿 –



Looking at other peoples' posts, it looks like it would be a great time to visit the castle during the cherry blossom seasons, autumn foliage season or even in the snowy season.

この投稿をInstagramで見る

Transported back to the times of the Samurai. × One thing I loved about my time in the Tohoku region was learning more about Japanese history. The Tohoku region has a strong history in the time of the warlords and Samurai of Japan. Tsuruga-jō also known as Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle was one of the last strongholds of samurai loyal to the shogunate but was destroyed in the Boshin War of 1868. While the castle itself had to be rebuilt the garden's walls and moats are all original. A beautiful site amongst the white snow of Winter. Surounded by Cherry trees I would love to revisit here again in Spring time as well! @visitjapanau #visitjapanau #enjoymyjapan #dj_tohoku #tohoku

Tim Northeyさん(@tk_north)がシェアした投稿 –



Well, that’s it for this time.
If you wish to know more about the castle, visit their official website here.
I hope you enjoy our daily posts at JAPANKURU.
Don't forget to follow our Facebook and Instagram for more photos and stories about Japan.

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NAME:Tsurugajo

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ACCESS:Nishi Wakamatsu Station

Hi, I'm Jpn/Aus, currently living in Taito City, Japan. That's near Asakusa & Ueno. A local expert. Enjoying the diversity. I like culture, food... pretty much everything old or new. Find me on Instagram or Facebook and share your opinion!

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    • FUKUOKA

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      Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.

    • KAGOSHIMA

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      Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.

    • OKINAWA

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      The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.

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