John Harvey Photo

Aizu Spring Festival

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Bridge into Castle

It was Saturday morning in Aizu-Wakamatsu and Joanne suggested we see the spring festival at the Castle.  We drove over and were totally shocked by the size of the castle.  The castle is called "Tsuruga-jo" - and is famous for it's role in a battle in the Meiji Restoration.

View of the Castle from the Wall

The festival is about carrying large shrines from the center of town up to the castle.  A taico drumming group was playing along the route and really got the crowd into the spirit of the even.  We arrived early and were lucky enough to see child sized shrines be carried by the next generation.

Taico DrummersKids Shrine

On the way from town, the shrines stop in a staging area at the entrance of the castle and everyone gets ready for the push up to the castle.  Everyone waited there for a while (smoke break I guess)

Little GirlIt's a bit coldProcessions Starting Up

And then the festival got underway!

Overhead View of the Precession

The shrines move pretty slowly - the crowd slowly surges up the ramps into the castle.  The shrines look pretty heavy.  Besides the woman on top cheering, the shrines are gilded, wooden and elaborate.

Climbing Toward CastleCrush HaulingProcessions at End

And then they arrive at the Castle and have lunch under the sakura - the cherry blossoms.

Having LunchPerson in Cart with Castle

And a big thanks goes out to Joanne for taking us!

Bumps on a Wall




View of the Castle from the Wall
Tags: castle, Japan
Bridge into Castle
Tags: bridge, castle, Japan
Having Lunch
Tags: hanami, Japan, lunch
Overhead View of the Precession
Tags: Japan, parade
Crush Hauling
Tags: Japan, parade
Bumps on a Wall
Person: Jesse, Sean
Taico Drummers
Tags: costume, Japan, musical instrument, performance
Person in Cart with Castle
Tags: castle, Japan
Processions at End
Tags: castle, Japan, parade
Little Girl
Tags: costume, Japan
It's a bit cold
Tags: Japan
Climbing Toward Castle
Location: Go To...
Tags: castle, Japan, parade
Processions Starting Up
Tags: Japan, parade
Kids Shrine
Tags: Japan, parade
Tags: Japan(13), parade(6), castle(5), costume(2), bridge(1), performance(1)
People: Jesse(1), Sean(1)
From: John Harvey Photo > Trips out of the Country > A Trip to Japan > Aizu Spring Festival

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Last Modified Saturday, January 21st, 2023 at 23:39:52 Edit
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