Day One Japan

Fukushima (福島県)

Begin at the red-roofed castle in Aizu-Wakamatsu (会津若松), pause for tea inside the grounds, then follow the history of the region at the prefectural museum.

Open the full walk in Google Maps
The keep of Tsurugajo Castle in Aizu-Wakamatsu framed by cherry blossoms
Tsurugajo Castle · SQZ · CC BY 4.0 · Resized and framed for this page

Getting to Tsurugajo Castle

From Aizu-Wakamatsu Station (会津若松駅)

Take the Haikara-san sightseeing loop bus (ハイカラさん) to Tsurugajo Kita-guchi (鶴ヶ城北口). Follow the castle signs from the north entrance to the keep.

Aizu-Wakamatsu Station (会津若松駅)

Aizu-Wakamatsu Station exterior and forecourt
Saigen Jiro · CC0 · Resized
Public transport in Google Maps Fukushima Travel’s castle bus directions

Three stops in order

  1. 1. Tsurugajo Castle (鶴ヶ城)

    Cross the moat into the castle grounds. Go inside the reconstructed red-roofed keep for the museum and views from the upper floor.

    Walk in Google Maps Map of the stop Fukushima Travel’s castle guide

  2. 2. Rinkaku Tea House (茶室麟閣)

    Stay inside the castle grounds for the tea garden. Check on the day if you want to have matcha in addition to viewing the grounds.

    Walk in Google Maps Map of the stop Rinkaku Tea House visitor guide (Japanese)

  3. 3. Fukushima Prefectural Museum (福島県立博物館)

    Leave the castle grounds on the east side for the museum. The exhibits place Aizu’s castle town in the wider history of Fukushima.

    Walk in Google Maps Map of the stop Fukushima Travel’s museum guide

Check the museum’s opening calendar separately from the castle. Look up the loop bus for the return before you set out.

Transport and visitor information checked .