 Most viewed - Aizu-Wakamatsu 会津若松市 |
In 1591, Lord Gamo Ujisato (from Hino, Shiga) built a 7-story castle tower and renamed it Tsuruga-jo Castle. "Tsuru" means crane. A major earthquake in 1611 damaged the tower, so Lord Kato Akinari rebuilt the castle tower with 5 stories in 1639.355 views
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Monument from Rome, Italy, given in 1928 by Mussolini. The column is from the ruins of a palace in Pompeii.338 views
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Aizu-Wakamatsu (Tsuruga-jo) Castle, Fukushima Pref. The reconstructed castle tower (ferro-concrete) is based on the 5-story castle tower Kato Akinari built in 1639. "Wakamatsu" was named after a place in Hino, Shiga by Ujisato.335 views
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Wakamatsu Castle, Fukushima. Totally modern on the inside (renovated in 2004), the castle tower is a history museum. It displays swords and portraits of the Byakkotai Battalion of teenagers who valiantly butneedlessly committed suicide on Iimoriyama Hill.268 views
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Monument from a German, Hasso von Etzdorf (1900 - 1989).265 views
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Stone marker for Tsurugajo Castle. Although the castle's official name is Wakamatsu Castle, it is popularly called Tsuruga-jo Castle within the city of Aizu-Wakamatsu. Outside Fukushima though, it is popularly called Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle.263 views
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Byakkotai souvenirs258 views
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Entrance to Iimoriyama Hill, site of the Byakkotai "White Tiger" Battalion gravesite. In 1868, a unit of teenage warriors called Byakkotai (White Tiger Battalion) fought against the Emperor-backed Imperial forces encroaching their domain of Aizu237 views
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Aizu-Wakamatsu manhole236 views
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Monument message in Italian. After WWII, the US Occupation authorities wanted this monument removed. But all they did was remove the engraved message (later restored).234 views
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About the monument from Rome.219 views
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Family crests of all the warrior clans who occupied Wakamatsu Castle.213 views
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San-no-Maru entrance to Tsurugajo Castle 三の丸196 views
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196 views
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Marker and side road to Lord Gamo (Gamoh) Ujisato's gravesite. Near Aizu-Wakamatsu City Hall. Gamo Ujisato (1556-1595) was a feudal lord from Hino, Shiga Pref. He built Tsurugajo Castle and named the town Wakamatsu, after a place in his hometown.190 views
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Rokabashi Bridge 廊下橋189 views
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Graves of the 19 teenage Byakkotai warriors who killed themselves with their own swords.189 views
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Painting depicting Byakkotai suicide on Iimoriyama Hill184 views
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Byakkotai gravestones. Each one shows the name, age, and method of death called "jijin" (died with one's own sword 自刃).181 views
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Another monument179 views
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179 views
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178 views
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Escalator to go up Iimoriyama Hill. Their tombstones are on this hill near where they killed themselves. Their story has become legend.178 views
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In despair, the boys decided to kill themselves rather than die in the hands of the enemy. Photo: Escalator to go up Iimoriyama Hill.177 views
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Byakkotai Gravesite. It is on a flat area which also has several other Byakkotai monuments including those from other countries.177 views
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Sazaedo177 views
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The Byakkotai were outnumbered and forced to retreat. Twenty of them escaped to Iimoriyama Hill where they saw what looked liked a burning Tsurugajo Castle. Photo: Pay a small fee to take the escalator up the hill. Or climb up the steps for free.175 views
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Byakkotai statue outside the Byakkotai Memorial Museum174 views
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Tsuruga-jo Castle as seen from the rear.172 views
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Approach to the Byakkotai gravesite.171 views
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Castle map. I recommend entering through the Kitaguchi entrance and exiting from the San-no-maru entrance or vice versa. Both entrances has a High-color bus stop nearby. The castle is too far to walk from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, so take a bus.168 views
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On the right side are more gravestones. These are 31 Byakkotai members who died in battle. 戦死167 views
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166 views
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Grave of Iinuma Sadakichi (Sadao) (1854-1931). His grave was built here in 1957 for the 90th anniversary of the Byakkotai's demise. 飯沼貞吉165 views
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164 views
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Slope where they committed seppuku (hara-kiri). 自刃の地163 views
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Byakko Kannon statue163 views
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Ujisato was married to Oda Nobunaga's second daughter Fuyuhime. He died at age 40. One theory says that he was poisoned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Entrance to Lord Gamo Ujisato's gravesite within Kotokuji temple in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima..162 views
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Otemon Gate to Kitade-maru 大手門. The castle was first built by Ashina Naomori in 1384 when he built a structure called Higashi Kurokawa Yakata.161 views
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Portrait of Lord Gamo Ujisato161 views
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Most next to Otemon Gate159 views
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On the left of the gravestones, there is a monument for a poem composed by Lord Matsudaira Katamori, the last Aizu lord and whom the Byakkotai died for. 幾人の 涙は石にそそぐとも その名は世々に 朽じとぞ思う159 views幾人の 涙は石にそそぐとも その名は世々に 朽じとぞ思う
Ikutari no namida wa ishi ni sosogu tomo sono na wa yoyo ni kuji to zo omou
"No matter how many people pour their tears on these stones, these names will never fade from the world."
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Statue of a teenage samurai looking at Wakamatsu Castle.159 views
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Lord Gamo Ujisato's grave. This is a secondary grave, where his hair is buried. His main grave is at a temple in Kyoto where he died at age 40.158 views
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Arrow points to Tsuruga-jo Castle.158 views
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Otemon Gate stonework. The castle was occupied by a number of clans. But it was Gamo Ujisato, originally from Hino, Shiga Prefecture, who made the castle great and established the castle town of Aizu-Wakamatsu.157 views
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Names of Byakkotai members, all 14 to 17 years old.157 views
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Wakamatsu Castle as seen from the rear.156 views
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156 views
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Byakkotai Graves156 views
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Site where they committed seppuku (hara-kiri). 自刃の地156 views
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Sazaedo, a unique wooden, hexagonal structure which you will see when coming down from Iimoriyama.156 views
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Otemon Gate stonework with stairs, one unique feature of the castle. The castle was attacked by Imperial forces during the Boshin War in 1868. The castle was dismantled in 1874.155 views
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Byakkotai Graves155 views
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154 views
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Entrance doors to Lord Gamo Ujisato's gravesite within Kotokuji temple which is a Zen temple of the Rinzai Sect.153 views
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This has become a national shrine, almost as important as Sengakuji where the 47 masterless samurai are buried.153 views
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Opened in 1956, the Byakkotai Memorial Museum has numerous artifacts related to the Byakkotai as well as the Shinsengumi. Photography inside is not allowed. Admission 400 yen.153 views
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Kotokuji temple152 views
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A short walk away is the grave of Iinuma Sadakichi, the only Byakkotai survivor who had slit himself, but was rescued by a villager passing by when everyone else had killed themselves.152 views
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Taikomon Gate where there was a multi-story turret which had a taiko drum used to signal the coming of a lord or for emergencies. 太鼓門151 views
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Sazaedo151 views
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Honmaru Uzumimon Gate and tenshukaku castle tower.150 views
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Grounds of Lord Gamo Ujisato's gravesite within Kotokuji temple. Since Ujisato was a Christian lord, it is ironic that he be buried in a Buddhist temple in Kyoto and Aizu-Wakamatsu.150 views
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Castle tower as seen from Honmaru Uzumimon Gate. In the lower right is the ticket office to enter the castle tower. Castle tower admission is 400 yen for adults. Or pay 500 yen to include the ticket to see the Rinkaku Tea House. Open 8:30 am to 5 pm.149 views
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Foilage on the slopes of Honmaru148 views
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Monument for teenage samurai who died in battle.148 views
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Sazaedo148 views
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About Iinuma Sadakichi (later changed his first name to Sadao)147 views
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Inside Rinkaku Tea Ceremony House145 views
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Tombs of those Byakkotai who died in action.144 views
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Byakkotai statue at Aizu-Wakamatsu Station143 views
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143 views
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Grave of Iinuma Sadakichi, the only Byakkotai warrior who survived and told the story of this valiant teenage group.142 views
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Uga Shrine 宇賀神社142 views
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141 views
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Statue faces Tsuruga-jo Castle which can be seen in the distance.141 views
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Byakkotai enshrined in Uga Shrine141 views
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These stairs on the castle's stone walls are called Musha-bashiri. They enabled the warriors to run up to the turrets quickly during attacks. It is one distinguishing feature of the castle. 武者走り140 views
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140 views
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139 views
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Their names, age, and "senshi" 戦死 (died in battle) are engraved on the stones.138 views
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Rinkaku Tea Ceremony House. Shoan, the son of tea master Sen Rikyu (who was ordered to committ seppuku by Hideyoshi), came here to practice tea in the late 16th century under the auspices of Lord Gamo Ujisato who himself was a tea expert. 茶室麟閣137 views
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137 views
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Tombs of those Byakkotai who died in action.137 views
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Inside the Hashiri Nagaya corridor is a gift shop. This is connected directly to the castle tower and also connects to the reconstructed Hoshii Turret.. 走長屋136 views
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136 views
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136 views
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135 views
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134 views
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Kitade-maru 北出丸133 views
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A recent addition is this statue of a teenage samurai looking at Wakamatsu Castle.133 views
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132 views
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132 views
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Rokabashi Bridge 廊下橋130 views
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Aizu-Wakamatsu Station 会津若松駅130 views
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Tsubakizaka Slope which is lined with cherry trees. 椿坂129 views
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Tsubakizaka Slope which is a bridge to the castle tower. 椿坂129 views
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The 5th and top floor of castle tower has a nice lookout deck all.129 views
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Hand-painted candles129 views
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Monument on Kitade-maru 北出丸128 views
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Foilage on Kitade-maru 北出丸126 views
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Castle tower as seen from Honmaru Uzumimon Gate126 views
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Rokabashi Bridge 廊下橋126 views
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Right beyond the Taikomon Gate is a tourist info office, cafe, restrooms, and benches.125 views
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125 views
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Foilage and stone gate123 views
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Inside castle tower. This scene depicts a storage room for salt. Unfortunately, photography is not permitted inside the castle tower's museum area.123 views
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On the west side is this Kurogane-mon Gate with steel doors. This is another way into the the main Honmaru grounds. During the Boshin War, the castle lord directed his troops from here. 鉄門122 views
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Inside the reconstructed Minami Hashiri Nagaya Longhouse. It is a long corridor with a few small storage rooms. 南走長屋122 views
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A warrior dummy shows how stones can be dropped through the stone hole on the floor.122 views
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122 views
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Taikomon Gate stonework121 views
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The gift shop also has a gallery of local crafts such as lacquerware.119 views
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Explanation of the kanji characters on the tombstone. From top to bottom, the characters are for "Sky, wind, fire, water, and earth."119 views
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Castle tower as seen from the west side full of cherry trees. Tsuruga-jo Castle Park is one of Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots.118 views
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Tsurugajo Castle. The castle tower entrance can be seen.118 views
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Stone-dropping hole.118 views
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Wakamatsu Castle tower, called tenshukaku. In 1590, Gamo Ujisato became the castle lord and he built a 7-story castle tower completed in 1593. He renamed the castle Tsuruga-jo and renamed the town from Kurokawa to Wakamatsu.116 views
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A small room along the Minami Hashiri Nagaya Longhouse.115 views
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Honmaru Uzumimon Gate which leads to the castle tower. There was a turret here on the stone foundation. 本丸埋門114 views
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Honmaru as seen from the top of the castle tower.114 views
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The tombstone has five segments each with a kanji character. 五輪塔113 views
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Tsuruga-jo Castle tower. It is lit up at night.112 views
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Looking east. These are cherry trees below.112 views
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Castle tower as seen from the west side in the Obikurawa 帯郭111 views
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A warrior dummy shows how a hole in the wall is used.111 views
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Tsurugajo Inari Shrine111 views
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Entrance to Rinkaku Tea Ceremony House 茶室麟閣111 views
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The castle tower was reconstructed as a ferroconcrete building in Sept. 1965 on its original site.110 views
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Numerous pine trees are planted within the castle grounds. At night, the castle is lit up.110 views
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The nagaya longhouse corridor leading to the reconstructed Hoshii Yagura turret.110 views
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Kurogane-mon Gate on the left, connected to the castle tower on the right via the Hashiri-nagaya Longhouse which houses a gift shop 南走長屋.109 views
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109 views
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It took about 3 years to reconstruct this Hoshii-yagura turret using traditional construction methods. It was the castle's largest turret mainly used to store food.. 干飯櫓108 views
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Inside the Kurogane-mon Gate is a mini theater.108 views
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An open window along the Minami Hashiri Nagaya Longhouse.108 views
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108 views
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Rinkaku Tea Ceremony House. 茶室麟閣108 views
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Castle tower as seen from the west side in the Obikurawa 帯郭107 views
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Stone sink to wash the mouths of horses. A horse riding ground was nearby. 馬洗石107 views
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Tourist info office below.107 views
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Inside the reconstructed Hoshii Yagura Turret on the lower floor.107 views
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Aizu-Wakamatsu Station 会津若松駅107 views
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Poem monument reads 限りあれば吹かねど花は散るものを心短き春の山風107 views
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Tsuruga-jo Castle tower106 views
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After entering the Kurogane-mon Gate, you can see the Hoshii-yagura turret 干飯櫓 on the left which is connected to the castle tower via the Minami Hashiri-nagaya Longhouse 南走長屋. Both were reconstructed in April 2001.106 views
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This is over the Kurogane-mon Gate.106 views
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Roof of nagaya longhouse.106 views
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Hi-color town bus, very convenient and cheap (500 yen for a day pass) to reach the city's major sights. It runs every 30 min. or so. ハイカラさん106 views
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Kurogane-mon Gate on the left, Hashiri-nagaya Longhouse, and castle tower.105 views
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105 views
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Rokabashi Bridge connects the Honmaru to the Ni-no-Maru. Originally, this bridge could be cut down in the event of an attack. 廊下橋105 views
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Hashiri Nagaya Longhouse in the foreground, then the Kurogane-mon Gate, the reconstructed Minami Hashiri Nagaya Longhouse, and the reconstructed Hoshii Yagura turret at the far end. We can walk inside these structures as well.105 views
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Alps105 views
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Upper floor of the Hoshii Yagura turret. It is used as an exhibition room. 干飯櫓105 views
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105 views
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Lookout deck on castle tower. Great views all around.104 views
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Stairs to go to the upper floor of the Hoshii Yagura turret.104 views
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Family crest on door. (Not the Gamo crest.)104 views
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Path to Lord Gamo Ujisato's gravesite104 views
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Wakamatsu Castle has only these buildings standing. No other turrets, towers, or palace buildings remain.103 views
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Castle tower stonework103 views
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Mt. Bandai is on the right.103 views
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Shopping street103 views
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"Wakamatsu" means young pine.102 views
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Honmaru as seen from the top of the castle tower. 本丸102 views
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Looking toward Kitade-maru.102 views
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Upper floor of the Hoshii Yagura turret. 干飯櫓102 views
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Aizu-Wakamatsu Station102 views
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Sculpture near the Fukushima Prefectural Museum102 views
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Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle101 views
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Inside the reconstructed Minami Hashiri Nagaya Longhouse. Impressive reconstruction.101 views
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101 views
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Entrance to pedestrian underpass in front of Aizu-Wakamatsu Station with Byakkotai (White tiger) painting101 views
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Fukushima Prefectural Museum101 views
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The main Honmaru entrance100 views
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100 views
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Kojo no Tsukihi Poetry Monument dedicated to the poem "Kojo no Tsukihi" written by college student Tsuchii Bansui after he saw how the castle lay in ruins after the Boshin War. 荒城の月碑99 views
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Top of Tsukimi Yagura turret (Moonviewing Turret). It was a two-story turret used to store weapons. It also offered a great view of the moon. 月見櫓99 views
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Stone foundation for Gosankai, a three-story building used as a secret meeting place. Before the castle was dismantled, this building was moved to Amida temple within the city.98 views
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98 views
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Ridge of castle moat on the south side.98 views
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Castle tower stonework with the characteristic stone steps.98 views
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97 views
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97 views
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Lord Gamo Ujisato's grave.97 views
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The castle tower was renovated on the inside in 2004.96 views
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Aizu-Wakamatsu Station 会津若松駅96 views
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Hi-color town bus stop96 views
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Wakamatsu Castle and pine trees.95 views
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Heads up view95 views
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Tsukimi Yagura turret (Moonviewing Turret) 月見櫓95 views
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95 views
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Pine tree and Tsuruga-jo Castle. 鶴ヶ城94 views
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The castle tower (donjon) stands over 36 meters high. Its stone wall is 11 meters high.94 views
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Hashiri Nagaya Longhouse connects to the castle tower.94 views
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Honmaru 本丸94 views
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Shadow of castle tower.94 views
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Aizu-Wakamatsu City Hall 会津若松市役所94 views
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Wakamatsu Castle as seen from Honmaru93 views
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Castle most and Rokabashi Bridge 廊下橋93 views
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View from Chatsubo Yagura turret93 views
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Inside the Akabei town bus.93 views
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93 views
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Stone foundation of castle tower92 views
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Entrance to Tsuruga-jo Castle tower (tenshukaku).92 views
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"Akabei" town bus which goes in the opposite direction of the Hi-color town bus. The same day pass can be used for both buses. あかべぇ92 views
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91 views
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Chatsubo Yagura turret (Tea Pot Turret). There was a two-story turret which stored tea ceremony implements and weapons. 茶壷櫓の跡91 views
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90 views
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Bus stop90 views
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89 views
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Aizu-Wakamatsu Station at twilight88 views
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Entrance to pedestrian underpass in front of Aizu-Wakamatsu Station88 views
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View of Wakamatsu Castle from Chatsubo Yagura turret86 views
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