Autumn Leaves · Tohoku

Tsurugajo Castle (Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle)

Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-jukuCastle🍁 Typical peak: Late Oct – Early Nov✦ Illumination
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Overview

Overview

The symbol of Aizu-Wakamatsu, a castle with a red-tiled keep. In autumn the trees in the castle grounds change color, and you can enjoy the scenery of the red-tiled keep and autumn leaves on a stroll.

Peak Time

When to See the Leaves

Typical peakUsually late October to early November
September
October
November
December

Varies with each year’s temperatures

🍁 These spots are in their typical peak period. Actual colors shift with each year’s temperatures, so check the official foliage updates too.

Peak times are typical guides. The timing shifts with each year’s temperatures.

Highlights

Highlights

The main highlight is the combination of the red-tiled keep and the colored trees. An autumn leaves illumination is usually held during the autumn leaves season.

📷 Best views
Around the keep

The classic spot for photographing the red-tiled keep together with the autumn leaves

Illumination

Illumination & night viewing

Period
Usually mid-October to mid-November

An autumn leaves illumination held together with the illumination of the castle keep

Hours

Opening hours

Castle keep8:30–17:00

Last entry 16:30

Hours can change by season and for events. Check the official website before you go.

Admission

Admission

Castle keepAdults ¥410, elementary and junior high school students ¥150
Castle keep and Rinkaku combined ticketAdults ¥520

Prices may change. Check the official website before you go.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓If you want to see both the keep and the Rinkaku tea house, the combined ticket is good value
Access

Getting there

Nearest station / bus stop
  • Tsurugajo Iriguchi (town loop buses Haikara-san and Akabe)About 5 min walk
From major stations & airports
  • Aizu-Wakamatsu IC (Ban-etsu Expressway): Car (About 15 min)
By car & parking
360 regular cars (paid; 3 lots at Nishidemaru, South Entrance and East Entrance)
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best times

Busiest
The parking lots get crowded on weekends at the peak
Quieter times
Weekday mornings, right after opening
Weather

Temperature & what to wear

Typical temperatures
Normals for Wakamatsu: October high 19.5°C, low 9.8°C; November high 12.2°C, low 3.3°C (Japan Meteorological Agency)
What to wear & bring
It is in a basin, so mornings and evenings are cold. Bring a jacket you can layer
Facilities

Facilities

Accessibility
Free entry to the keep for the holder on showing a disability certificate
Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Tsurugajo Castle (Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle)PR

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Attractions

Attractions in Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-juku

Aquarium

Aquamarine Fukushima

Tohoku ・ Iwaki, Fukushima

An environmental aquarium at Onahama Port in Iwaki. It showcases a wide range of waterside nature and wildlife, from the rivers and sea of Fukushima to the Shiome no Umi, where the Kuroshio and Oyashio currents meet, as well as northern seas and coral reefs. It's open year-round, and a visit typically takes 1.5 to 3 hours.

Experience

Spa Resort Hawaiians

Tohoku ・ Iwaki, Fukushima

A hot spring and pool leisure complex in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture. A single admission ticket gives access to the Water Park's pools and water slides, the Spring Park hot spring area, the open-air bath Edo Jowa Yoichi, and more. Polynesian shows run from midday into the night, so you can enjoy it on a day trip or an overnight stay.

Autumn Leaves

Autumn Leaves in Tohoku

Mountain & highland

Hachimantai

Tohoku ・ Hachimantai, Iwate

🍁 Typical peak: Late Sep – Early Oct

Gorge🍁 Typical peak

Dakigaeri Gorge

Tohoku ・ Kakunodate, Lake Tazawa & Nyuto Onsen

🍁 Typical peak: Early Oct – Early Nov

Gorge🍁 Typical peak

Oirase Gorge

Tohoku ・ Lake Towada & Oirase

🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct – Late Oct

Gorge🍁 Typical peak

Geibikei Gorge

Tohoku ・ Hiraizumi & Ichinoseki

🍁 Typical peak: Mid Oct – Early Nov

Temple🍁 Typical peak

Chusonji Temple

Tohoku ・ Hiraizumi & Ichinoseki

🍁 Typical peak: Late Oct – Early Nov

✦ Illumination
Gorge🍁 Typical peak

Naruko Gorge

Tohoku ・ Naruko, Miyagi

🍁 Typical peak: Late Oct – Early Nov

Temple🍁 Typical peak

Yamadera (Risshakuji Temple)

Tohoku ・ Yamagata, Zao & Yamadera

🍁 Typical peak: Late Oct – Early Nov

✦ Illumination
Temple🍁 Typical peak

Entsuin Temple

Tohoku ・ Matsushima, Miyagi

🍁 Typical peak: Late Oct – Mid Nov

✦ Illumination

Peak periods, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Colors and event details can change, so check the official website before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-05