Aizu-Wakamatsu Castle (Tsuruga Castle)

Wakamatsu Castle, commonly known as Tsuruga Castle, is a historic Japanese castle located in Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. Although its official name is Wakamatsu Castle, locals typically refer to it as "Tsuruga Castle." In the past, it was also known as Kurokawa Castle or Aizu Castle. The current castle structure is a reconstructed version based on its historical appearance, while the entire site has been designated as a National Historic Site of Japan under the name "Wakamatsu Castle Ruins."

The castle is designed in the "teikaku-shiki" (concentric enclosure) style and is a hirayamajiro (hilltop-flatland castle). At the core is the main bailey (honmaru), surrounded by a series of defensive areas including the Nishidemaru, Kitademaru, Ninomaru, and Sannomaru, creating a multi-layered fortification. Positioned on the southern edge of the former castle town, Wakamatsu Castle historically served as the political and military headquarters of the Aizu Domain, which was governed by the Matsudaira clan, closely allied with the Tokugawa shogunate. As such, it played a major role during the Boshin War, particularly in the Battle of Aizu.

Today, the castle grounds have been developed into Tsuruga Castle Park, with most of the preserved area recognized as a national historic site. The Sannomaru area now hosts a track and field stadium, a municipal swimming pool, and the Fukushima Prefectural Museum. The main keep (tenshukaku) was reconstructed in reinforced concrete during the Showa era and now houses the Tsuruga Castle Local History Museum, which presents the castle’s history and the cultural heritage of the Aizu region. It stands as one of the city’s most iconic historical and sightseeing landmarks.