Aizu was once a castle town with a long history connected to samurai traditions and is an area known for its rice production.
Aizu (会津) was known as the Aizu Domain in the Edo
Period, which was under the Mutsu Province. It is the
westernmost region of Fukushima Prefecture and has a
long history of samurai traditions. Aizuwakamatsu is the
main city of the Aizu region and was once a castle town
during the Edo Period. Not only is the city a main
transport hub it is also one of the major producers of
sake (rice wine). A notable place for a nice stroll around a
Japanese garden is the Oyakuen. Aizu citizens take pride
in their high quality lacquerware that has been
designated as a traditional craft of Japan. The coating is
characterized by the glossy red and black lacquer with
various decorations drawn on them. Most of the products
use a wood base, but the coating process gives it a
gorgeous appearance to the point that you do not realize
what material is used.
Aizu is mostly known as the place when the Aizu Clan, a
strong samurai family, made base in the city. The wealth
of the samurai clan can be seen in the Aizu Bukeyashiki
(samurai district). The amount of land one owned
determined their wealth, so the bigger the home the
wealthier they were. The Aizu had retainers that were a
branch of the Tokugawa Clan. The clan was known for
their martial art skills and had a 5000 manned standing
army ready at any time. The Aizu clan had supported the
Shinsengumi that were pro-Shogunate and became
known as “The Guardian of Kyoto.” After the fall of the
Tokugawa Shogunate, Matsudaira Katamori pleaded
forgiveness from the Satsuma and Choshu controlled
court, but the alliance did not trust them. The Aizu fought
with the Ouetsu Reppan Domei, but were later
abandoned following the loss at the Battle of Bonari
Pass. At the Battle of Aizu, the siege lasted for a month
with constant attacks coming from the Satsuma-Choshu
Alliance. Among the leaders with the Aizu was the famed
3rd unit captain of the Shinsengumi, Saitou Hajime.
During this month long siege, the famous story of the
detached unit of the Byakkotai (White Tiger Company)
occurred. A group of 20 teenage boys saw smoke
coming from the Tsuruga Castle and thought they had
lost. They committed seppuku (ritual suicide) on Mount
Iimori, but the castle had not fallen at that time. Their
story is known today because one member of the branch,
Iinuma Sadakichi, failed to commit suicide. The battle
ended with the surrender of Aizu officials using the
Yonezawa Domain as mediators. With the Meiji
Restoration the Aizu Domain ceased to exist and many of
the survivors were sent to frontier Hokkaido as
punishment. The Aizu Festival is held every September
to console the spirits of victims who perished at war.
There is a march of over 500 warriors called the Aizu
Hankou Procession, which is one of the highlights of the
festival.
Tohoku | Fukushima | Aizu Wakamatsu
Tsuruga Castle
Tsuruga Castle was first built in 1384 and was an important stronghold in the Tohoku Region for the Tokugawa Shogunate.
Tohoku | Fukushima | Aizu Wakamatsu
Aizu Bukeyashiki
Aizu Bukeyashiki was a samurai residence that once belonged to a powerful member of the Aizu Clan until it was burned down and eventually restored.
Tohoku | Fukushima | Aizu Wakamatsu
Suehiro Sake Brewery
Suehiro Sake Brewery is one of the largest and most famous sake makers in the Tohoku Region.
Tohoku | Fukushima | Aizu Wakamatsu
Aizu Sake Museum
The Aizu Sake Museum is located five minutes away from Tsuruga Castle and is an old sake brewery still producing the product.
Tohoku | Fukushima | Aizu Wakamatsu
Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Hall
Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Hall is located in Inawashiro, Fukushima and is a museum dedicated to the doctor for his many achievements in medical research.