Held each February in the castle town of Aizuwakamatsu, the Aizu Candle Road event sees thousands of handmade paper-cup candles placed along the approaches to Tsurugajo Castle, through the Nanukamachi historic shopping street, and around key sites associated with the ill-fated Byakkotai samurai youth. The warm candlelight creates a contemplative mood befitting a city that values its deep historical memory. Local volunteers and schoolchildren participate in setting out the candles each evening, and food stalls serve Aizu specialities such as sauce katsu don and Kitakata ramen. The event bridges community spirit with historical reflection.
- Type
- Festival
- Category
- Snow/Winter
- Season
- Winter
- Month
- February
- Region
- Tohoku
- Prefecture
- Fukushima
- City
- Aizuwakamatsu
Highlights
- ◆Thousands of paper-cup candles lining castle and samurai-history sites
- ◆Illuminated approach to the iconic Tsurugajo Castle keep
- ◆Community-driven event with local school and volunteer participation
- ◆Aizu regional food stalls along Nanukamachi street
- ◆Reflective atmosphere honouring Byakkotai samurai legacy