Tsuruga Castle is one of the historical sites famous in connection with Byakkotai, a local unit of Samurai warriors in Aizu region. In the Boshin war on the end of Meiji period, a troop of Byakkotai warriors kept their defensive war against new governmental army for a month in Tsuruga Castle.

Japanese Castles generally have traditional gardens and the places where we can enjoy matcha or Japanese tea. This tendency indicates tea is deeply related to Japanese lives.

“Azumaya” tea room in Rinkaku garden.

We can enjoy matcha on the traditional Japanese garden “Rinkaku” next to Tsuruga castle.

Menu of matcha with manju confection in front of Rinkaku garden.

In summer, the shop serves “Ice Matcha” with locally popular confection “Joyo manju” shown in the picture below.

It is recommended to tasting matcha with enjoying multihued scenes in Japanese garden and castle.

My best shot is the castle viewed over the mossy wooden rooftop, I felt “Sabi” elegance.

It takes approx. 20 minutes’ walk from Aizu Wakamatsu station. In summer, the walk is somehow hard work and take sweat from our bodies. In winter, the cold winds could take warms If you feel thirst, it is recommended to drop in Kishuen to get “Tea To Go”.

The entrance of Kishuen on the way to Tsuruga Castle from Aizu Wakamatsu station.

The staff of Kishuen kindly serves “Tea To Go” to our bottle.