Step Back into Feudal Japan: Aizuwakamatsu Celebrates ‘Samurai Week’ This November

Why November? The Clever Wordplay of “Samurai Day”

The festival centers around November 11th, celebrated across Japan as “Samurai Day” (Samurai no Hi). The date comes from a playful bit of Japanese calligraphy: if you write the date in kanji, the number 10 (十) stacked directly over the number 1 (一) forms the character 士 (shi or samurai).

To honor this heritage, the city’s top cultural landmarks and local craftspeople team up to offer rare workshops, historical demonstrations, and walking tours across the town.

Participating Venues & Special Event Highlights

1. Tsuruga Castle: Iconic Red Roofs & Second Citadel Festivals

Scene from the previous event (Photo credit: Aizuwakamatsu Tourism Bureau)

Tsuruga Castle is the only castle in Japan that features traditional red roof tiles (akagawara), engineered centuries ago using iron-rich clay to withstand freezing northern winters. During Samurai Week, visitors can explore the towering keep, take in sweeping views of the surrounding mountains draped in fall colors, and experience the castle grounds transformed by live performances and markets.

Tsuruga Castle Samurai Fes 2026 (November 15, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
A family-friendly festival featuring martial arts demonstrations, live stage performances, traditional armor try-ons, and craft workshops where kids can build cardboard samurai helmets (kabuto) and wooden replica swords.

Tsuruga Castle Ninomarche 2026 Autumn (November 15, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Set across the spacious lawn of the castle’s second citadel (Ninomaru), this open-air market brings together roughly 65 local vendor stalls (up by 15 stalls from the previous session). Expect Fukushima street food, farm-fresh produce, sake tastings, handmade crafts, and children’s play zones. Admission is free.

2. Aizu Nisshinkan: Elite Samurai Academy & Archery Grounds

Founded in 1803 as the premier domain school of the Aizu clan, Nisshinkan was regarded as one of the finest educational institutions in feudal Japan. Young samurai sons entered at age ten to study academic classics, calligraphy, astronomy, and strict bushido ethics, alongside martial disciplines like archery, spear fighting, and swimming in Japan’s oldest school pool.

Complimentary Kyudo Archery Experience (November 7 – November 15)
Every visitor who purchases a standard admission ticket during the festival receives a complimentary archery voucher for five practice arrows at the historic outdoor dojo.

Zen Meditation Sessions (Zazen) (November 8, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM)
Sit with monks in the quiet academy halls for a guided 30-minute mindfulness session (500 yen, admission separate). Cosplay attire is welcome.

Hokushin Itto-Ryu Sword Drawing (Iai) Demonstration (November 8, 1:00 PM)
Witness the speed and precision of Iaijutsu (the martial art of rapidly drawing and striking with a katana) performed by local masters of the Hokushin Itto-ryu school at the main archery hall. Free with admission; no reservations required.

Cosplay Gathering in Aizu (November 7 – November 8)
Held in tandem with nearby Aizu Village, this event invites photographers and historical costume enthusiasts to wander the scenic dojo grounds (advance registration required via ADV Kikaku).

3. Aizu Bukeyashiki: Grand Retainer Residences & Artisan Stalls

This expansive open-air architectural museum reconstructs the estate of Tanomo Saigo, the chief retainer of the Aizu clan. With 38 tatami-mat rooms, an authentic tea pavilion, archery grounds, and a massive water-powered rice-milling wheel, the residence shows how high-ranking samurai families lived, dined, and governed.

Bukeyashiki Festival & Autumn Market (November 14, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Enjoy local food stalls, handmade craft booths, and live stage entertainment (morning show at 11:00 AM; afternoon show at 12:50 PM). The afternoon performance features a traditional mochitsuki (fresh rice-cake pounding) ceremony.

Hands-on Samurai Workshops (November 14)
Children and adults can build and paint their own lightweight cardboard samurai sword (1,500 yen) or roast traditional senbei soy-sauce rice crackers over charcoal grills (100 yen per cracker).

“Kokon” Lucky Draw (November 7, November 8, November 14, November 15)
Spend 3,000 yen or more at the on-site gift shop “Kokon” to enter a prize draw for authentic regional crafts and local souvenirs.

4. Oyakuen Garden: Feudal Herbal Sanctuary & Evening Illuminations

Dating back to the 15th century and redesigned in the Edo period, Oyakuen is a classic strolling pond garden (chisen kaiyushiki). Aizu’s feudal lords planted hundreds of varieties of medicinal herbs here to protect locals from illness and famine, using the central teahouse on the pond for contemplative tea ceremonies and quiet diplomatic talks.

Special Nighttime Garden Illumination (November 7, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM)
For one night only, the garden opens after dark with glowing lanterns and tree illuminations reflected across the central pond. Admission is completely free during this evening window.

Pondside Matcha & Warm Autumn Bites (November 7)
Warm up by the pond with freshly whisked green tea and hot local snacks, and collect a limited-edition nighttime entry commemorative certificate (300 yen).

5. Fukushima Prefectural Museum: Living History & Armor Workshops

Situated right outside Tsuruga Castle’s moat, this modern museum chronicles the rich archaeology, folk culture, and warrior history of the Tohoku region, featuring genuine antique armor, katana blades, and detailed models of the old castle town.

Cardboard “Mononoke” Armor Workshop & Castle Parade (November 15, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
A creative workshop where visitors assemble wearable samurai armor inspired by mythical beasts out of cardboard for free. After crafting, participants are invited to march in a costumed parade directly to the Tsuruga Castle main citadel.

Authentic Armor Fitting (November 15, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Experience the genuine weight and craftsmanship of historical battle gear with museum curators (Free).

Aizu Samurai History Tour (November 7)
A specialized guided curator tour exploring local samurai heritage (sold out).

6. Human Hub Tenneiji Warehouse: Lacquer Crafting & Warehouse Tea

(Photo credit: Aizuwakamatsu Tourism Bureau)

Set inside a preserved timber-and-earthen storehouse (kura), this revitalized complex celebrates Aizu lacquerware (Aizu shikki)—a refined decorative craft heavily sponsored by samurai lords for over 400 years—blending antique woodworking with a boutique cafe.

Nodate Open-Air Tea Ceremony (November 7 – November 14)
Enjoy an outdoor tea ceremony (nodate) served in artisanal Aizu lacquerware bowls, paired with seasonal sweets from BIKODO CAFE (1,500 yen per person; 30 minutes; drop-in sessions run 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM).

Lacquered Wooden Practice Sword (Bokken) Workshop (November 7 – November 14)
Learn the construction of a katana and assemble your own lacquered practice sword (bokken) using modular wooden parts (Large: 4,000 yen / Medium: 3,500 yen / Small: 3,000 yen; sessions start every 30 minutes throughout the day).

7. Ozawa Candle Shop: Ancient Edo Candle Painting & Aromas

(Photo credit: Aizuwakamatsu Tourism Bureau)

Operating since the Edo period, Ozawa Candle Shop preserves the heritage of Aizu e-rousoku (painted candles). Because fresh flowers were scarce during the long, snowy Tohoku winters, artisans hand-painted bright floral motifs onto wax candles for family altars and temples. Feudal lords also sent these prized candles as luxury tributes to the shogun in Edo (Tokyo).

Traditional Candle Painting Workshop (November 7 – November 15)
Paint seasonal autumn florals like chrysanthemums onto authentic wax candles to create a personalized keepsake (1,200 yen per candle; ~90 minutes; advance booking recommended).

Incense & Fragrance Blending (November 7, November 8, November 14, November 15)
A hands-on workshop blending traditional aromatic woods and botanical powders into custom scented sachets (1,000 yen; 45–60 minutes; reservations required via phone at 0242-27-0652 or online).

8. Yamada Momen: Century-Old Looms & Traditional Striped Cotton

Aizu cotton (Aizu Momen) is a woven fabric renowned for its durability, natural yarn dyes, and earthy striped patterns. First crafted over 400 years ago, its tight, air-trapping weave made it an everyday staple for samurai undergarments, hakama trousers, and local farmers’ clothing.

Historic Weaving Factory Tour (November 7 – November 15)
Step inside an operational heritage mill to watch vintage shuttle looms in action and see how threads are wound, dyed, and spun (Free entry on weekdays during event dates; operates all day except 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM).

Textile Boutique Shopping (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Browse high-quality, modern Aizu cotton accessories, from durable tote bags and scarves to aprons and clothing.

9. Onyado Toho (Higashiyama Onsen): Warrior Springs & Armor Greetings

Nestled along the wooded ravines of Higashiyama Onsen—a hot spring haven dating back over 1,300 years where wounded samurai and the famed Shinsengumi commander Hijikata Toshizo came to heal—this scenic resort offers dramatic terraced open-air baths (rotenburo) overlooking the valley.

“Yumori Samurai” Warrior Welcome (November 7, November 8, November 15, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Hotel staff suited in full samurai battle armor stand guard at the grand entrance to welcome arriving guests.

Feudal Warrior Buffet Dining (November 7 – November 15)
Stay overnight to enjoy specialty menu items inspired by traditional samurai rations and seasonal Tohoku recipes during the morning and evening buffet services (exclusive to hotel guests).

Explore the Town: The “Akabeko Stamp Rally”

Throughout the festival, visitors can join a city-wide treasure hunt celebrating the Akabeko—Aizu’s mythical red papier-mâché bobblehead cow revered as a talisman against illness and misfortune.

Pick up an event pamphlet at any train station or participating site, register for the free “Aizu Fan Club” through the LINE messaging app, and scan digital coupon codes at designated cafes, craft shops, and attractions. Collecting stamps qualifies you for exclusive, limited-edition Samurai Week commemorative souvenirs.

How to Get There from Tokyo

By Train (Approx. 2.5 to 3 hours): Take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen (Yamabiko) from Tokyo Station to Koriyama Station (approx. 80 minutes). Transfer to the JR Ban-etsu West Line rapid train bound for Aizu-Wakamatsu Station (approx. 60–75 minutes). The entire rail route is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and the JR East Tohoku Area Pass.

Getting Around Town: Board the Machinaka Loop Bus (Haikara-san or Akabee) from the rotary outside Aizu-Wakamatsu Station. These vintage-styled circular buses run every 30 minutes and stop directly outside Tsuruga Castle, Aizu Bukeyashiki, Oyakuen Garden, and the Higashiyama Onsen approach. Buy a 1-day hop-on/hop-off bus pass at the station bus counter for convenient travel.