A winter night lit by Aizu picture candles against a snowy landscape
Aizu Picture Candle Festival
The 2026 edition of Aizu Picture Candle Festival has ended.
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Dates
- 2026/02/13 〜 2026/02/14Ended
- Season / frequency
- Around early February each year / Every year
- Location
- Tsuruga Castle, Oyakuen Garden, and locations throughout the city
- Area
- Fukushima Prefecture・Aizuwakamatsu City(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 20 min–1 h 40 min · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Participation / viewing
- Open to public participation / spectators welcome
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
Set against the backdrop of Tsuruga Castle and Oyakuen Garden in Aizuwakamatsu, this winter festival brings snowy scenery to life with the glow of Aizu picture candles.
About Aizu Picture Candle Festival
Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Sugikats File:会津絵ろうそくまつり 天守閣付近 20150214.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.Photo credits and terms of use
Photographer: Sugikats File:会津絵ろうそくまつり 2015 福島DC用レイアウト.jpg / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 Own work by the contributorDisplay size only adjusted.May differ from the event currently featured.The Aizu Picture Candle Festival is a winter festival that showcases the appeal of Aizu picture candles, a traditional craft from Aizu.
Candles are lit amid snowy scenery, mainly around Tsuruga Castle and Oyakuen Garden.
Aizu picture candles are crafts featuring individually painted seasonal flowers and plants, such as chrysanthemums, peonies, and wisteria.
As a winter event created together with local residents, it introduces the regional culture of Aizuwakamatsu.
Festival highlights
The main highlights are the candlelight illuminating Tsuruga Castle, Oyakuen Garden, and locations throughout the city.
At Tsuruga Castle, the illuminated castle tower is paired with roof-tile lanterns made of Aizu Hongo ware and Aizu lacquerware candle stands.
At Oyakuen Garden, candlelit bamboo tubes surround the Pond, creating a fantastical scene in the garden.
The lights spread throughout the city as well, offering a chance to enjoy “Aizu Illusion” against the snowy landscape.
Source: 東北の冬のまつりは、寒さを忘れるほど美しい｜特集 | 旅東北 - 東北の観光・旅行情報サイト
A winter night lit by Aizu picture candles against a snowy landscape
What to expect
For the 2026 event, the schedule announced a lighting ceremony in the evening, followed by an opportunity to enjoy the lights at the venues until 8:30 p.m.
You can take in the candlelight and snowy scenery while visiting the main venues at Tsuruga Castle and Oyakuen Garden.
Picture candles are also lit at locations throughout the city, extending the illuminated scenery beyond the venues.
Opportunities are also provided for participating organizations and neighborhood associations to take part in lighting the candles.
How to take part
General visitors can enjoy viewing the lights at the venues.
Operations volunteers can help with venue setup and operations, lighting the candles, guiding visitors, and maintenance.
Neighborhood associations and shopping districts can take part by lighting candles at the same time and decorating their neighborhoods.
Organizations and clubs taking part in the event were also invited to create light displays in designated areas within Tsuruga Castle.
For 2026, the guidance said that operations volunteers should apply by phone or email to the Aizu Junior Chamber.
Organizations and clubs wishing to take part in the event are asked to contact the Aizu Festival Association.
Information also directs neighborhood associations and shopping districts wishing to participate, as well as those wishing to donate money or picture candles, to contact the relevant offices.
No application method is provided for general visitors.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Tsuruga Castle (main venue) / 1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture; Oyakuen Garden (secondary venue) / 8-1 Kasyunmachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture.
Lights are also lit at locations throughout the city.
- Train and bus
For Tsuruga Castle, take the Haikara-san or Akabee bus and get off at “Tsuruga Castle Entrance” or “Tsuruga Castle Sannomaru Entrance”; it is a 5-minute walk from either stop.
For Oyakuen Garden, take the Haikara-san bus and get off at “Oyakuen Entrance” (0-minute walk), or take the Akabee bus and get off at “In front of the Aizuwakamatsu Chamber of Commerce and Industry” (4-minute walk).
Address Tsuruga Castle: 1-1 Otemachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture / Oyakuen Garden: 8-1 Kasyunmachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
Dates and season
2026 event information (the listed dates have passed)
The announced schedule was from February 13 (Fri) through the 14th (Sat), from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
A lighting ceremony was scheduled for 5 p.m., with Tsuruga Castle and Oyakuen Garden as the main venues.
Picture candles are also lit at locations throughout the city.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Fukushima Prefecture / Aizuwakamatsu City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As you will be walking outdoors at night in winter, wear clothing suited to the cold, such as a thick winter coat and warm socks.
For walking on snowy roads, the guidance recommends taking shorter steps and placing the entire sole of your foot on the ground.
Shoes with soft soles and deep treads are recommended.
When viewing the lights after they are lit, watch your step and take care on snowy or icy roads.
Nearby attractions
会津武家屋敷
日本の福島県会津若松市にある、歴史観光施設
御薬園
福島県会津若松市にある日本庭園
會津壹番館
福島県会津若松市にある喫茶店
福島県立博物館
日本の福島県会津若松市にある博物館
写真：Miyuki Meinaka / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·
若松城
福島県会津若松市にあった城
写真：Asturio Cantabrio / CC BY-SA 4.0(resized and reformatted)
Photo source ·Origins and History of Aizu Picture Candle Festival
The Aizu Picture Candle Festival began in 2000 to introduce Aizu picture candles to a wider audience.
Aizu picture candles are one of Aizu’s traditional crafts. They are distinguished by their vivid depictions of seasonal flowers and plants.
Since it began in 2000, the event has been held each February, mainly at Tsuruga Castle Park and Oyakuen Garden.
The history of Aizu picture candles is said to date back to the mid-Muromachi period.
Source: 会津絵ろうそくまつり - Wikipedia
Official information
会津絵ろうそくまつり公式ホームページ：Aizu Picture Candle Festival official website
Aizu Picture Candle Festival at a Glance
The Aizu Picture Candle Festival is a winter festival centered on Tsuruga Castle and Oyakuen Garden in Aizuwakamatsu City, where picture candles, a traditional craft, are lit amid snowy scenery.
In 2026, it was held on February 13 and 14, with lights illuminating the venues and locations throughout the city from evening into night.
Enjoy the scenery created by the castle tower at Tsuruga Castle, the garden at Oyakuen Garden, candles, and Aizu crafts.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
