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Aizu Painted Candle Festival in February 2025: Highlights, Access, and Tips
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Aizu painted candles are a representative craft of the Aizu region in Fukushima. In Aizuwakamatsu City, the Aizu Painted Candle Festival is held every winter and will be held again this February 2025. This article provides an overview alongside key highlights of this annual winter festival.
Aizu Painted Candle Festival: A Winter Tradition in Aizu
The Aizu painted candle is a representative craft of Fukushima's Aizu region and has been passed down since about 500 years ago.
The Aizu Painted Candle Festival held in Aizuwakamatsu is where you can experience the fantastical beauty created by the light of Aizu candles. This seasonal festival is held every winter and will take place again in 2025.
This article will provide an overview and key highlights of the Aizu Painted Candle Festival, as well as access information.
Overview of the Aizu Painted Candle Festival 2025
Picture courtesy of by Aizu Erosoku Festival (Aizu Painted Candle Festival)
The Aizu Painted Candle Festival is an event where approximately 10,000 candles, including the traditional Aizu candles, are lit.
The main venue is Tsuruga Castle, and lights are illuminated throughout various locations in Aizu City. This includes the Oyaku-en Garden of the Aizu Matsudaira Clan and Aizu-Wakamatsu Station.
This festival has been held since 2000 to raise awareness of Aizu painted candles, each showcasing the craftsmanship of skilled artisans.
Here is an overview of the Aizu Candle Festival:
| Overview of the Aizu Candle Festival | |
| Event Dates | February 7 and 8, 2025 |
| Event Hours | Opening Ceremony at 17:00, 17:30 - 20:30 |
| Venues | Tsuruga Castle: 1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture Oyakuen: 8-1 Hanaharumachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture |
| Contact Information | Aizu Festival Association 0242-23-4141 |
| Official Website | https://www.aizu.com/erousoku/index.html |
| Social media |
Moreover, the Aizu painted candle originated in the late 15th century when the lord of Aizu, Ashina Morinobu, encouraged the cultivation of lacquer trees.
He had wax extracted from the fruit of these trees to make candles. Later, Gamo Ujisato elevated it to the realm of Aizu folk crafts.
The Aizu painted candles, which possess both utility and beauty, are characterized by their elaborate designs featuring flowers such as chrysanthemums, peonies, and plums.
With their thick wicks, they produce large flames, exuding warmth and lasting longer, which makes them beloved by many in various settings. These magnificent flames are visible during ceremonies and festive occasions.
Highlights of the Aizu Candle Festival
Photo by Pixta
The highlights of the Aizu Painted Candle Festival are the different worlds you can enjoy at each venue: Tsuruga Castle presents a world of movement while Oyakuen Garden offers a world of stillness.
At Tsuruga Castle, Aizu painted candles are illuminated using Aizu Hongo pottery lanterns and Aizu lacquer candle holders, creating a lively display of lights.
In contrast, Oyakuen Garden features bamboo lanterns and existing stone lanterns that contribute to an ethereal and fantastical atmosphere.
Since the themes of Tsuruga Castle and Oyakuen Garden complement each other, it’s recommended to visit both venues.
Additionally, there will be food stalls at both locations, so enjoying some tasty treats while walking around is highly recommended.
Access to the Venue and Traffic Regulations on Event Days
Photo by Pixta
Access to the venues for the Aizu Painted Candle Festival is as follows:
By Train
The nearest station is Aizu-Wakamatsu Station on the Ban-etsu-West Line. It takes about 40 minutes to walk from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station to the venue.
By Bus
If you choose to access the venue by bus, you can get off at the following bus stops:
For Tsuruga Castle: Get off the circular bus "Haikarasan" or "Akabe" at Tsuruga Castle Entrance. It’s about a 5-minute walk to the venue.
For Oyakuen Garden: Get off the circular bus "Haikarasan" or "Akabe" at Oyakuen Garden Entrance. It’s about a 1-minute walk to the venue.
Additionally, on the day of the festival, shuttle buses are expected to operate between Tsuruga Castle and Oyakuen Garden.
By Car
If you are accessing the venue by car, it takes about 15 minutes to reach Tsuruga Castle from Aizuwakamatsu IC.
Traffic regulations on the day of the event are yet to be determined. However, congestion along publtransportationion and full parking lots are expected. If you plan to drive to the venue, we recommend arriving early!
Hotels near Tsuruga Castle
Hotels near Oyakuen Garden
Read also
Main image by Pixta
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