The event has ended】2025 Edition! Traditional event in autumn in Fukushima [Aizu Festival].

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Aizu Festival
The Aizu Festival will be held from September 19 (Fri.) to 21 (Sun.), 2025, centering on the main circle of Tsurugajo, the symbol of Aizu, and Shinmei-dori, the main street of Aizu Wakamatsu City! Various events will be held over the three days, including the "Lantern Procession," in which children in the city walk with lanterns, and the "Aizu Han-no-Ko Procession," in which a total of about 600 people parade through the city dressed as samurai warriors. This article introduces the details and highlights of the Aizu Festival.
Aizu Domain Lord Procession

The Beginning of the Aizu Festival

Before participating in the Aizu Festival, it is important to know the historical background of Aizu. It dates back to the Boshin War that spanned the Edo and Meiji periods. At that time, the Aizu Clan was regarded as a "dynastic enemy" at the Battle of Toba-Fushimi, and fought against the new government forces thereafter. After a month-long siege at Tsurugajo Castle, which is also the venue of this exhibition, the Aizu Clan surrendered with the stigma of being the "Imperial Enemy". The Byakkotai tragedy also occurred at this time.

However, about 60 years later, Prince Yasuhito Chichibu, younger brother of the Showa Emperor, married Princess Setsuko Matsudaira, granddaughter of the Aizu feudal lord Matsudaira Yasuyasu, and the imperial family showed that "Aizu was not an enemy of the imperial court. The people of Aizu at that time were very happy at this news, and it is said that the Aizu Festival was started to pass on to future generations the spirit of "celebration and joy" that the Aizu domain's restoration of power was realized through the marriage of the two.
Aizu domain lord's procession as a princess

Events to be held at the "Aizu Festival

Here are some of the events that actually take place during the Aizu Festival.

The "Lantern Procession" that heralds the start of the Aizu Festival

The lantern procession is an event held on the first day of the festival to announce the opening of the Aizu Festival. It has its roots in the fact that when Princess Setsuko Matsudaira returned to her hometown, the people of Aizu brought lanterns to the Matsudaira family's villa where Princess Setsuko was staying to celebrate her return.

Today, children's groups from each district march in memory of their predecessors of that time who celebrated and rejoiced over the restoration of the Aizu domain. They parade through the streets with their wishes in the flickering lanterns.

Period: Friday, September 19, 2025
Time: 18:00 Departure (Departure Ceremony / 17:45 scheduled - at Tsurugajo Honmaru)
Venue: Tsurugajo Honmaru - Shinmei Dori
Chochin parade

Aizu Bandaisan Odori," a traditional round dance

When the sun sets and the lanterns are lit, the Aizu Bandaisan Odori dance begins. The dance is performed in a traditional round dance to the lyrics of the Aizu folk song "Eeyore Aizu Bandaisan wa~". There are various theories about the identity of the character "Obara Shosuke," who appears in the folk song, but the lyrics describe his debauchery: "He loves morning sleep, morning sake, and morning baths, and that's how he ruined his fortune.

Period: September 19 (Fri.) and 20 (Sat.), 2025
Time: 19:00 - 20:30 on both days
Venue: Shinmei Dori
Aizu Bandaisan Dance

The "Thanksgiving Ceremony for Our Predecessors," a ceremony to comfort the souls of the dead and repose the souls of the dead

A ceremony will be held to thank the predecessors of Aizu and to comfort the souls and repose the souls of those who died in the Boshin War and those who were caught in the fire of the war.

Period: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Time: 8:30 - 9:10* (tentative)
Venue: Special stage in the main citadel of Tsurugajo
Thanksgiving Festival for Predecessors

Aizu Clan Lord Procession, the biggest event of the Aizu Festival

The Aizu Festival's biggest event is the "Aizu Clan Lord Procession. A total of about 500 people dressed as warriors parade through the city. After the departure ceremony is held at the main citadel of Tsurugajo Castle, the procession departs for the city! At various places, the yakkotai (warrior groups) will perform their movements with their spears, and spectators will fill the streets along the route with cheers. In the actual procession, the yakkotai were dressed in distinctive costumes and carried flags bearing the family crest of the shogun at the head of the procession of feudal lords to distinguish which clan they belonged to. In particular, each clan had its own unique spear shape. Performances using these spears were enjoyed by the people even in those days, and will be performed at the Aizu Festival in the same manner.

Period: September 20, 2025 (Sat)
Time: Opening Ceremony 9:30, Opening Ceremony 10:30 *both scheduled
Venue: Special stage in the main citadel of Tsurugajo
Performances with hair spears
Red-faced samurai troop

Various other events are also available!

The Aizu Festival will also feature various other events such as the "Nisshinkan Children's Procession" and "Kodo Fife and Drum Corps Parade" on September 21 (Sun.)! Please check the Aizu Matsuri Association website for details of the events.
For more information about the Aizu Festival, please visit

Summary of Aizu Festival Schedule for 2025

Friday, September 19
・Chochin parade
・Aizu Bandaisan Dance

Saturday, September 20
・Predecessor Appreciation Festival
・Aizu Han-no-Ko parade
・Aizu Bandaisan Dance

Sunday, September 21
・Nisshinkan Doji Parade
・Taikobuei Parade
Aizu Festival

The Aizu Festival is more fun if you know the history of Aizu!

This section introduces the beginning of the Aizu Festival and details of the events that will be held. The Aizu Matsuri is filled with the thoughts and feelings of the people of Aizu. Why not visit the Aizu Festival for an autumn outing?

Click here for a report on the Aizu Festival

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