Join the Aizu Samurai Festival: Parade Only
The main parade of the famous three-day Aizu Festival will be held on Sunday 20th September, 2026. 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 plan only includes participation in the parade, although it includes the same interpreter, armour and weapons as the other plan. For the 'Total Samurai' plan, a premium experience including a visit to a swordsmith and a samurai swordsmanship class, please see the other listing. Tour price: 15,000 yen (Optional hotel stays on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th are available for an extra 7,000 yen per night per person.) ⭐ All genders welcome ⭐ English guide included ⭐ Armour and weapons included (weapon availability TBC) --- SCHEDULE 🛌 Saturday 19th September (For participants joining from the previous day) - (If hotel option selected) Check-in at 3:00 PM - Stay overnight at the Aizu-Wakamatsu Ekimae Hotel (dinner not included) 🚶 Sunday 20th September – Parade Day For participants staying at the hotel from 19th: - Meet at 7:30 AM in the hotel lobby (breakfast not included) For parade-only participants (joining on 20th): - Meet at 7:50 AM at the Tsurugajo Castle Gymnasium Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6QpHSZe5y1rj9CPa9 All participants: - 8:00 AM: Change into armour - Join the Aizu Festival procession - Farewell and departure at roughly 13:30 at Tsurugajo Castle Gymnasium For participants choosing the hotel add-on on the 20th: - Explore Aizu region by yourself in the afternoon - Stay overnight at the Aizu-Wakamatsu Ekimae Hotel (dinner / guide not included) --- 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 more about the experience joining the Aizu Festival: 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 Official schedule for last year's festival weekend: (Japanese) https://www.aizukanko.com/kk/festival/info/12320 This experience is run by the tour operator, Aizu Dream Development. https://att.add.travel/ --- Please be aware the parade takes place on the Sunday 20th September. This package starts from 19th September to account for hotel bookings -- please keep in mind that cancellations on the 19th will be treated as a day-of cancellation. Please contact fukushima_tour@tif.ne.jp for more details about this year's festival.
Days of Week
Sat
Duration
7h
No Hotel
JPY 15,000
Hotel Stay on Saturday 19th
JPY 22,000
Hotel Stay on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th
JPY 29,000
Highlights
Highlight #1
Join the famous Aizu Clan Lord Procession
Highlight #2
Experience the Aizu region's biggest festival
Highlight #3
Visit Aizu-Wakamatsu City and explore
Outline
Schedule
15:00
SATURDAY 19: Hotel check-in (package option)
For those who have selected the hotel package, check-in to the Aizu-Wakamatsu Ekimae Fuji Grand Hotel is available from 3pm. Please be aware that dinner and breakfast is not included.
7:30
SUNDAY 20: Meeting with tour operator and guide
Your guide will meet you either at your hotel at 7:30 AM (for guests who selected the hotel package), or in front of the Tsurugajo Castle Gymnasium at 7:50 AM (for those arranging their own accommodation or transport).
8:00
Join the procession at Tsurugajo Castle
After changing into the samurai armour and learning from your local guide about the history of the festival, you'll join your fellow samurai marching through the grounds of Tsurugajo Castle and the storied streets of Aizu-Wakamatsu.
14:00
Farewell and Departure
15:00
Hotel check-in (package option)
For those choosing to stay an additional night in Aizu-Wakamatsu, you are free to explore the city at your own pace before staying in the same room as the night before.
Plan Information
What's Included
- Hotel stay on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September (optional add-on)
- English-speaking festival guide
- Parade armour and weapons
- All travel costs during the tour
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 and Sunday 20th September.
- Breakfast and lunch on the day of the festival
Requirements
- All genders are welcome.
Cancellation Policies
- Until 00:00, 20 days prior: 0%
- Until 00:00, 7 days prior: 20%
- Until 00:00 the day before: 30%
- Until 07:00 on the day: 40%
- After 07:00 on the day: 100%