Fukushima: Samurai Ethics and Daily Life in Aizu

Tsuruga Castle is the historic center of Aizu and a powerful symbol of samurai rule in northern Japan. Reconstructed on its original site, the castle stands out for its distinctive red roof tiles and strong defensive design. It played a key role during the Boshin War, Japan’s civil conflict at the end of the samurai era, when Aizu forces resisted the new imperial government. Today, the castle offers insight into how a feudal domain was governed, defended, and ultimately transformed at the moment Japan entered the modern age.

Rinkaku is a historic tea house located within the grounds of Tsuruga Castle and closely associated with the lords of Aizu. Built in the early Edo period, it reflects the deep connection between samurai culture and the practice of tea. For the samurai, tea was not merely a social custom but a disciplined art that emphasized calmness, respect, and self-control. Rinkaku provides a quiet contrast to the castle’s military setting, highlighting the cultural and spiritual values that shaped samurai life.