Join the Aizu Samurai Festival: Total Samurai Experience

The main parade of the famous three-day Aizu Festival will be held on Saturday 20th September, 2025. In this special program, you’ll participate in the procession as a Japanese samurai of the Aizu Domain, who ruled here before their defeat at the dawn of the Meiji Restoration. The highlight of the festival, in this parade you’ll join roughly 500 lords, nobles, soldiers, squires, court ladies, dancers and more as they walk through the streets surrounding Tsurugajo Castle. Aizu’s largest festival, memorialising the Aizu Domain warriors who lost their lives fighting Imperial forces in 1868, also includes swordsmanship demonstrations, a lantern parade and traditional folk dancing. There are two courses available; this 'Total Samurai' plan is a three-day premium experience in which guests will experience the breadth of samurai culture in the Aizu region. This was one of the last heartlands of the samurai's power and influence before they were abolished by the Emperor - there's no better place to learn about samurai culture and to experience it for yourself. This premium plan includes: - An English interpreter and guide on the day of the festival - Participation in the festival - Armour and weapons (weapon availability TBC) - Lunch on the day of the festival - Entrance fees for Oyaku-en, a serene traditional garden near Tsurugajo Castle - A visit to a real swordsmith, where you'll use his techniques to make a souvenir - Samurai class under a samurai instructor who once choreographed on KILL BILL - A stay at Ookawaso, called one of the most beautiful ryokan in Japan Tour price: 120,000 yen All genders welcome. For the plan involving only participation in the parade, please see the other listing. --- SCHEDULE Friday 19th September 2pm Meet the tour operator at Aizu-Wakamatsu Station Swordsmith experience at a real artisan's workshop Stay overnight at Aizu-Wakamatsu Washington Hotel (dinner not included) Saturday 20th September Meet 7.30am at the hotel (breakfast included) Meet with tour operator and guide at Aizu-Wakamatsu City Hall Arrive at Tsurugajo Castle for 8am and change into armour Join the Aizu Festival procession Lunch Visit Oyaku-en Garden Samurai class in the dojo of Ookawaso ryokan Stay overnight at Ookawaso (dinner included) Sunday 21st September Breakfast Check-out 10am Free shuttle bus service back to Aizu-Wakamatsu Station --- The 2024 edition of the festival was affected heavily by bad weather that caused some festivities on the previous night to be cancelled, and the parade was held with participants wearing plastic ponchos as to not damage the traditional armour. Please be aware that the event may be subject to change. Read about our experience joining the Aizu Festival last year: https://fukushima.travel/blogs/a-guide-to-the-aizu-festival-%E2%80%93-and-how-to-join-yourself/158 More information about the Aizu Festival: https://fukushima.travel/destination/aizu-festival/205 This experience is run by the tour operator, Aizu Dream Development. https://att.add.travel/ --- ROOM BOOKINGS Rooms are for two people by default. If you know who you'd like to share a room with, please write their name in the special requests section of the booking form, and ask them to write your name when they book. (This is not required for a two-person booking.) If you do not list a pair, or if you'd prefer not to share a room, please be aware that a 12,000 yen surcharge will be added for a single room. Please contact fukushima_tour@tif.ne.jp for more details.

• Days of Week

  Fri

• Duration

  48 hours

• Twin Rooms (shared)

  JPY 120,000

• Single Rooms

  JPY 132,000

• Highlight #1

  Join the famous Aizu Clan Lord Procession

• Highlight #2

  Visit a real swordsmith and learn his techniques

• Highlight #3

  Study under a sword instructor in samurai class

• Highlight #4

  Walk through a traditional Japanese garden

• Highlight #5

  Stay at one of Japan's best ryokan

• What's Included

  • Hotel stay on Saturday 21st September
  • Lunch on Sunday 22nd September
  • English-speaking festival guide
  • Parade clothes and weapons
  • Transport between locations

• What's Not Included

  • Please arrange your own transportation to and from the Aizu area.
  • Please arrange your own dinner plans for the night of Friday 19th September.

• Requirements

  • All genders are welcome.

• Cancellation Policies

  30%

  31 days before to 00:00

  40%

  20 days before to 00:00

  50%

  1 day before to 00:00

  After 00:00, 1 day before

  100%

  Participation Date