Tsuruga Castle (Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle) in Snow in Winter: Best Season, Illumination, Access & What to Wear

Overview

Tsuruga Castle, the symbol of Aizu-Wakamatsu, has a main keep with red roof tiles, rare among castles in Japan. In winter the red-tiled keep stands out against a silvery white world, and the official website even says that winter is when Tsuruga Castle shows its true face.

Address: 1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu, Fukushima
Closures & winter suspensions: Open every day
Time needed: About 1 hour to 1 hr 30 min to tour the keep and stroll the castle grounds
Official website: https://www.tsurugajo.com/tsurugajo/

Area weather

Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-jukuWeather and what to wear in Aizu-Wakamatsu & Ouchi-juku →

Tours & tickets for this areaPR

Peak Time

When to Go

Best seasonWinter (yukitsuri in the Honmaru from mid-November to mid-March; snowy scenery depends on snowfall)

November

December

January

February

March

Snowfall varies greatly by year and time of season

Seasons are typical guides. Snow, ice and drift ice depend heavily on each year’s weather.

Highlights

The contrast between the white snow and the red-tiled keep is a highlight unique to winter. The pines in the Honmaru (inner citadel) are fitted with yukitsuri (snow-protection ropes), creating a classic winter castle scene. At the Aizu Painted Candle Festival in February, candlelight illuminates the snowy castle grounds.

📷 Best views

The keep seen from the Honmaru

The contrast between white snow and the red-tiled keep

Top floor of the keep

A view over the snowy Aizu Basin and the castle town

Illumination

Illumination & winter lights

Period: Usually the Aizu Painted Candle Festival in February (February 13 and 14 in 2026)

About 10,000 candles light up Tsuruga Castle, Oyakuen Garden and other sites. In 2026 it ran 17:30–20:30, with special evening opening of the keep

Hours

Opening hours

Castle keep8:30–17:00

Entry until 16:30

In winter, hours can change and services can be suspended because of the weather. Check the official website before you go.

Admission

Admission & fares

Castle keepAdults ¥410, children ¥150

Combined ticket for the keep and Rinkaku Tea HouseAdults ¥520, children ¥150

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

Tips

Tips for travelers

✓The inside of the keep is all stairs. Shoe soles wet from snow are slippery, so take care
✓Besides paying cash, you can also use web tickets paid by credit card

Access

Getting there

Nearest station / bus stop: Tsurugajo Iriguchi (Haikara-san and Akabe town loop buses)About 5 min on footBoard at Aizu-Wakamatsu Station
From major stations & airports: Aizu-Wakamatsu IC (Ban-etsu Expressway): Car (About 15 min)
Driving & winter roads: Paid parking available (3 lots, about 360 spaces)

Open in Google Maps ↗

Crowds

Crowds & best times

Busiest: Evenings during the Aizu Painted Candle Festival

Weather

Temperature & staying warm

Typical temperatures: January normals for Wakamatsu: high 2.9°C, low -3.4°C; February: high 4.0°C, low -3.5°C (Japan Meteorological Agency)
What to wear & bring: The basin gets bone-chillingly cold. Wear a heavy coat, gloves, a hat and non-slip winter boots

☁ Tohoku weather by month

January February March April May June July August September October November December

Facilities

Toilets: Available (including multipurpose toilets)
Payment: Cash at the ticket counter. Credit cards for web tickets
Accessibility: The inside of the castle is all stairs. Slopes and wheelchair rental available

Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Tsuruga Castle (Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle) in SnowPR

PRSee more places to stay near Tsuruga Castle (Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle) in Snow on Agoda →

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.

See all attractions →

Winter Scenery