Tsurugajō Castle

　Tsurugajō Castle, where the Aizu Domain held out for a month against attacks by the forces of the new government during the Boshin War. The Boshin War was the largest civil war in modern Japanese history, fought between the forces of the new government—which had been established following the Restoration of Imperial Rule—and the forces of the former shogunate; it ended with the victory of the new government’s forces.

　From the main keep, one can see Mount Iimori, where the Byakkotai—a unit composed of boys aged 16 to 17—committed ritual suicide following a fierce battle with the new government forces. Inside the main keep, there is an exhibition dedicated to the Byakkotai, where visitors can gain an insight into the sentiments of these men who embodied the Aizu code of bushido, having cast aside personal ambition to uphold righteousness for the sake of their country and domain.