What other travelers are saying about Tsuruga Castle
We visited Tsuruga Castle in Aizuwakamatsu and it was one of the highlights of our time in the Aizu region. Although the castle is a reconstruction of a 14th century fortress, it is very well done and gives a strong sense of the history and importance of the site. Tsuruga Castle played a key role in the Boshin War and was once known as “The Impregnable Castle” after withstanding a month-long siege, which makes walking through its grounds even more meaningful.
The interior has been converted into a museum with exhibits on samurai culture, the Boshin War, and the local history of Aizu. The displays are well presented and give good context, even for visitors who may not be familiar with Japanese history. At the top of the castle keep, there is an observation deck with panoramic views over the city and surrounding hills. We even managed to spot our hotel, Onyado Toho, in the distance, which was a fun surprise.
I also recommend buying a ticket that includes matcha at the historic tea house within the grounds. It is a peaceful way to enjoy the setting and take in the atmosphere. Overall, Tsuruga Castle is a must-visit for anyone interested in Japanese castles, history, or simply beautiful views.
Majestic castle in the Aizu-Wakamatsu area. The castle brings visitors year round, and it’s more than the castle itself that draws people in. The grounds are amazingly well maintained, and the groundskeepers even encourage people to take photographs by collecting leaves in heart shapes during the autumn when leaves are steadily falling. The signage is easy to follow, and the gardens on the castle grounds are beautiful and serene. The castle itself is an amazing repository of local samurai history, and the outlook from the top of the castle is breathtaking as you can see so much of the countryside as you stroll around the lookout. There are guided tours in both Japanese and English that last about 30 minutes, so if you have that kind of time to spend, it’s worth going along and learning more about the history of the region. Everywhere you look at the castle, there is manicured beauty. The parking can be a bit difficult to navigate when its super busy, but there are almost always staff helping you get where you need to go.
I heard this is the place that must be visited, so I did. The entrance fee is $520 including the entry to both the castle tower and the tea room. The view was great from the top floor of the castle. If you are a Japanese history buff, this should be interesting. There're well detailed documents about not only a tragedy about the youth squad who fought against the new Meiji government army but also the history of this area in general. They were quite educational. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't great when I visited it...
I visited Tsuruga Castle early in the morning, and it was a wonderful experience. With the soft morning light shining from the front, the castle looked especially striking and made for beautiful photos without harsh shadows. The entire park area around the castle is very well maintained, with clean paths and lush greenery that make walking around pleasant and relaxing. There is a calm atmosphere at that time of day, allowing you to enjoy the scenery without crowds. It’s not only a historic landmark but also a peaceful place to start the day. Highly recommended for photography and a quiet stroll.
The best storytelling museum having visited many throughout my two months travels in Japan. Thoroughly enjoyed my time learning about the samurai history and its last battle. The macha tea was also delicious and perfect way to wrap the entire experience.
Late April is peak season when approximately 1,000 cherry trees bloom across the grounds. Early November offers autumn foliage with smaller crowds. Winter provides dramatic snow-covered views of the red-tiled roof. Weekday mornings have the lightest visitor traffic year-round.
Samurai costume rentals are available near the entrance for ¥500-1,000 per 30 minutes. The Rinkaku Tea House offers traditional tea ceremony experiences for ¥600-800. Autumn festivals feature historical reenactments and traditional performances open to visitors.
The castle tower museum and grounds require 1.5 to 2 hours. Adding the tea house extends this to 2.5 to 3 hours. The museum contains five floors of exhibits. Combining with nearby Oyakuen Garden (15 minutes walking distance) adds another hour.
The five-story tower has no elevator and requires climbing steep stairs, making it inaccessible for wheelchairs. The exterior grounds, paths, and Rinkaku Tea House are accessible with assistance. Visitors with limited mobility can view the exterior architecture, walls, and gardens from ground level.
