Published October 20, 2026 at 8:18 PM JST
Every autumn the castle town of Aizu-Wakamatsu turns back the clock with a costumed lord's procession, children's lantern walk and communal folk dancing beneath Tsuruga Castle.
Quick answer: The Aizu Festival (Aizu Matsuri) is the largest festival in the Aizu region of Fukushima Prefecture, held over three days in Aizu-Wakamatsu, usually in the second half of September. Its highlight is the Aizu Domain Lord Procession, in which about 500 costumed participants parade from Tsuruga Castle through the city. The Aizu Matsuri Association sets the exact days each year.
The big autumn festival of Aizu
Aizu-Wakamatsu is a historic castle town in western Fukushima Prefecture, and each autumn its streets host what the Aizu tourism and regional guides describe as the biggest festival in the area. The Aizu Festival runs for three days, and national tourism pages for the Tohoku region give its usual timing as late September. One regional guide lists a mid-September period elsewhere on the page, so it is worth checking the dates with the organizers before you plan a trip.
What makes the festival appealing is its blend of dignity and warmth. There are solemn ceremonies, historical costumes and horses on one hand, and children with lanterns, drum and fife bands and open-air folk dancing on the other. Anyone can watch the events for free, and a Japanese travel guide for the 2025 edition noted that spectating costs nothing.
The festival is organized by the Aizu Matsuri Association, which shares information through the Aizu tourism website and social media. According to a Tohoku tourism page, the festival draws more than 200,000 spectators each year, a reminder that the city comes out in force for this occasion.
The setting adds to the atmosphere. Tsuruga Castle, the symbol of Aizu-Wakamatsu, serves as the stage for the opening and closing ceremonies of the main procession, while the downtown streets and a street named Shinmei-dori host the lanterns and dancing.
How the festival began
The festival has roots in a happy occasion. According to a rail-company travel article and the Japanese encyclopedia entry for the festival, its origin is traced to a lantern procession held in 1928 to celebrate the marriage of Matsudaira Setsuko, a granddaughter of Matsudaira Katamori, the last lord of the Aizu domain, to Prince Chichibu Yasuhito.
The encyclopedia entry adds that the festival in its current form is said to have first been held in 1953, and that over time it took on a second meaning: honoring the people of the past, including the samurai of the Aizu domain, with a memorial event for those who came before. Sources differ slightly on the starting year, so it is best described as a tradition that developed over several decades from the 1928 celebration.
Early editions reportedly included float processions, and the program has evolved since. The modern lineup of lantern procession, lord procession, dancing and children's parades has become the familiar pattern of the festival.
Like many events, the festival was scaled back during the pandemic years. The encyclopedia entry notes that the lord procession was canceled in 2020, that a reduced version took place in 2021 and that full programs were planned to return in 2022. Today it is back as a major draw for the region.
The Aizu Domain Lord Procession
The main event is the Aizu Hanko Gyoretsu, the Aizu Domain Lord Procession, held on the middle day of the festival. A Tohoku tourism page reports that about 500 participants take part, dressed as feudal lords, warriors, court ladies and other figures from different eras of Aizu history, with some riding on horseback.
According to the Japanese encyclopedia entry, costumed groups have included members of the Byakkotai, the youth unit famous in Aizu history, along with the Shinsengumi, the women of the Joshitai and lords from allied domains. Performances such as sword fights are sometimes staged at key points along the route.
The route starts and ends at Tsuruga Castle. A rail-company article describing the 2025 edition outlines a Shinto ceremony on the castle's main enclosure stage in the morning, a ceremonial arrow shot from the castle keep to wish for safety and success, a departure ceremony with the procession setting off at about 10:30, and a return ceremony around 15:00. The return features performances by the retainer troupe and a closing address.
Highlights along the way include the warriors' victory shouts and the contrast in costumes between eras. A tourism page also mentions matchlock gun and Byakkotai demonstrations on the route. Schedules can shift with the weather, so confirm times on the day.
A day-by-day look at the three days
The first evening opens with the lantern procession. Children from neighborhood groups throughout the city carry lanterns from Tsuruga Castle's main enclosure down to Shinmei-dori, according to a Japanese travel guide. It is a gentle, glowing start to the festival and a lovely sight for families.
On the first and second evenings, the Aizu Bandaisan Odori takes place on Shinmei-dori. This is a Bon-style dance set to the well-known Aizu folk song Aizu Bandaisan, and members of the public can join in, either individually or in groups. Prizes, including an award for costumes, are presented after the second night's dance, according to the Japanese encyclopedia.
The second day is the lord procession, usually the centerpiece for visitors. The festival also holds a memorial event for those who came before, which reflects the festival's reverent side.
The third day belongs to the children. The Nisshinkan Child Procession, named for the domain school that once educated young Aizu samurai, features local elementary school pupils dressed in warrior costumes, including Byakkotai outfits. A fife and drum band parade follows and closes the festival.
Folk dance, children and community spirit
One of the nicest aspects of the Aizu Festival is how participatory it is. The Bandaisan dance is open to anyone who wants to step into the circle, and the song is easy to follow along with. The dancing is a good way to feel part of the community, even if only for an evening.
Children play a leading role throughout. Neighborhood children's associations carry the lanterns that open the festival, and elementary schools provide the participants for both the Nisshinkan procession and the fife and drum band parade. According to the encyclopedia entry, a local television station even broadcasts a recording of the drum and fife parade each year in mid-October, a sign of how beloved it is.
The festival's costume traditions are another point of pride. The 500 people who take part in the lord procession wear carefully prepared outfits, and the variety of eras, from the earliest lords to the late Edo period, makes the parade feel like a walking history lesson. A Japanese travel guide notes that the procession centers on the late Edo era.
Together these events turn Aizu-Wakamatsu into a stage where the town's history is performed with affection. It is the sort of festival where watching and joining in blend naturally.
Getting there and enjoying the day
The festival is based in central Aizu-Wakamatsu, and a Japanese travel guide for 2025 gave helpful walking distances. The Chuo-dori area is about three minutes on foot from JR Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, while Shinmei-dori is about 18 minutes on foot. To reach Tsuruga Castle, you can take a sightseeing loop bus from the station for about 20 minutes and then walk roughly five minutes from the Tsurugajo-iriguchi stop.
Road closures occur as events progress, so expect traffic congestion. A rail-company article noted that free parking exists but is limited, and recommends public transport. For 2025, a special train service ran on the Banetsu West Line between Koriyama and Kitakata on procession day, so look for similar services from the rail operator in the year you visit.
To enjoy the procession, arrive early at the castle or along the main route, bring a hat or light layers for changeable autumn weather, and keep walkways clear for the horses and costumed participants. If you take photographs, ask politely before taking close portraits of participants, particularly children.
Remember that times, routes and events can change, especially in rain, so use the official Aizu tourism website to check the latest program.
Aizu-Wakamatsu and the samurai story
The festival fits neatly into a visit to Aizu-Wakamatsu, a city that proudly shares its samurai heritage. The Aizu tourism site, for example, describes the area as a place with sites connected to the Byakkotai, and it promotes various seasonal events through the year.
Because Tsuruga Castle is the starting and finishing point of the main procession, the festival offers a natural reason to visit the castle grounds. The castle's main enclosure also hosts the opening of the lantern procession and ceremonies, which gives visitors a chance to see the site in a festive mood.
Aizu folk songs are another cultural highlight. The Bandaisan song is a well-known folk tune of the region, and joining the dance is one of the simplest ways to connect with local culture. Many visitors find it a joyful moment that sums up the spirit of the whole festival.
It is also a good base for exploring more of the Aizu region at a relaxed pace. Check the official tourism site for other seasonal events, since the area has several throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Aizu Festival held?
It is usually held over three days in late September in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture. The 2025 edition ran from September 19 to 21. The Aizu Matsuri Association sets the exact dates every year, so check the official Aizu tourism site before you travel.
What is the Aizu Domain Lord Procession?
It is the festival's main parade, in which about 500 costumed participants portray lords, samurai and other figures from Aizu history. The procession leaves from Tsuruga Castle, circles through the city center and returns to the castle. Some participants ride horses, and the group sometimes includes Byakkotai costumes.
Can visitors join in the Aizu Festival?
Yes, in some parts. The Aizu Bandaisan Odori dance on Shinmei-dori is open to individual and group participants, and anyone can watch the processions for free. The lord procession itself is performed by costumed participants, so spectators enjoy it from the route.
Further reading: the Aizu tourism festival page, the Japan tourism multilingual guide to the festivals in Aizu-Wakamatsu and the Tohoku tourism page for the Aizu Festival.
Keep exploring: Sendai Aoba Festival: Sparrow Dances and a Samurai Lord's Parade; Soma Nomaoi: Hundreds of Armored Riders and the Race for Sacred Flags; Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival: A Castle, Moats and Pink Petal Rafts; Kamakura Matsuri: Shizuka's Dance, Samurai Archery and a Spring Parade.