Begin your tour at Tsuruga Castle, the political, military, and moral centre of the Aizu domain. Learn about the exceptional discipline and uncompromising sense of duty of the Aizu samurai during the final decades of the samurai era.

Explore how the Aizu samurai governed their domain, organised defence, managed resources, and upheld a strict ethical code that shaped both public administration and private behaviour. Pay particular attention to the Boshin War, Japan’s internal civil conflict that marked the violent transition from feudal rule to a modern state.

Move upward through the castle, from storage spaces and defensive structures to higher floors designed for observation and command. Gain insight into how architecture reflected the realities of power, logistics, and survival, while views from the upper levels reveal the landscape that Aizu fought to protect and govern.

Shift from the world of conflict to the realm of cultural refinement with a visit to Rinkaku, a historic tea house connected to the Aizu lords. Participate in a traditional tea experience and learn how the practice of tea was not merely a pastime, but a disciplined cultural practice embraced by samurai as a means of cultivating calm judgement, humility, and self-control.

Choose to join the tour directly near Tsuruga Castle or begin together from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station using local bus transport, allowing flexibility while maintaining a cohesive and deeply contextual exploration of Aizu’s distinctive historical identity.