Loco Travel: Inawashiro - Part 6 (Tsurugajyo Castle in Aizu-Wakamatsu)

Just 30 minutes away from Inawashiro, Aizu-Wakamatsu is a center of historical activity in the area.
Tsurugajyo Castle was once a partner to Kamegajyo Castle -- Tsuru means Crane and Kame means Turtle. In Japanese, Crane and Turtle somehow match each other to mean something very lucky. Honestly, I don't know the details about it, but apparently there's a term "tsurukame" which mixes the two and means something along the lines of good luck. If someone knows more, please share in the comments!
Kamegajyo was in Inawashiro and was burnt down at the end of the Edo Period. Tsurugajyo was also burnt down, but was rebuilt in 1967, and that's what you see here.

It's a really awesome town to visit. If you go, make sure to try some local Sake, eat Sauce Katsu-don, and learn a little bit about the Boshin War and the Byakkotai fighters who commited suicide because they mistakenly thought their castle was burning down.
You can start here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boshin_War#Resistance_of_the_Northern_Coalition

Hope you can make it out there someday - it's a really great town!
And you might even run into a random UFC zainichi Korean dude on the street who will treat you to free local sake all night long. Can't beat inaka kindness!

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• travel
• japan
• aizu-wakamatsu
• fukushima
• tsurugajyo
• philip cotsford

[yumyumsesame]

Next time I'm in the Japan this is exactly the kind of stuff I want to do. Good old exploring!

[ToLokyo]

Definitely try a tea ceremony if you can too!

It's really relaxing...great balance to the insane pace of Tokyo life. ^^

[Raener]

Wow, wouldn't know where to start when building that castle let alone a house! Impressive.. and it's still standing. Doesn't look traditionally robust like ones in the UK for example. Is there a part 7? ^.^ Thanks :)

[ToLokyo]

Thanks for asking!

Part 7 is on the way - exporting it out now.

And then there will be a little recap vid at the end with a bit of scenery - probably a few days down the road. Got a couple other projects I need to focus on too.

Thanks for watching!

[Degenskonto]

Im definitely cum...ehm coming one day!

[ToLokyo]

Hmmm...my videos inspiring sexual references...

Is it the hat? :P

[MrBcsabi]

Hello!

I was there 11 years ago!

[LH075382]

How come you didn't go together with anyone :( Self exploration?

[FrankzTerz]

5/5 :-)

[DavePerry2012]

Your bravery honors us. :-)

[Degenskonto]

Actually.... baa-chan tachi and their kimono... Dont tell anyone i said that.

[ToLokyo]

Thanks!!

I never wanted to the trip to end, but now that I'm making the videos and sharing it with everyone, I feel like I'm enjoying it all over again. Thanks for helping me enjoy my holiday twice! ^__^