Aizu White Fox Legend 2025: Okaeri Ceremony

Saturday, September 20, 2025

To promote tourism and create excitement at Aizuwakamatsu City's Tsuruga Castle, this fox procession is themed around the legend of a white fox, which is connected to the origins of Higashikurokawa Castle, before it became Aizuwakamatsu Castle (Tsuruga Castle). Following the spring Oide no Gi (Oide Ceremony), the Okaeri no Gi (Okaeri Ceremony) will be held to give thanks for the bountiful harvest. There will also be a dining area and stage shows on the Tsuruga Castle grounds.

What's more, the event will be held in conjunction with Aizu Festival, the largest event in Aizu. It is expected to be a perfect day for foxes, with armored warriors gathering at the castle and the Aizu Domain School procession right in front of your eyes.

[Event Overview]

schedule:Saturday, September 20, 2025 11:00-19:00
venue:Tsuruga Castle, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture (1-1 Oitemachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture 965-0873 [MAP])
Reception location：Aizuwakamatsu City Youth Center Summer Cafe (summer only) 1st floor [MAP]
Business hours：10:00～16:00
changing room: 10:00 - 20:00 (luggage storage available, luggage number system) *No entry between 17:00 and 18:30.
Fox participation fee：3,000 yen
In rainy weather: The event will proceed in light rain, but will be postponed in case of severe weather.
Application Deadline:Saturday, September 13, 2025 23:59:59

[Fox Participation Application Form]

Herefrom

[Event Schedule】

10:00 Aizu Clan Procession Departs (Juraku Marche Begins)
13:00 Presentation of the Great Calligraphy by Ohitsu Kotetsunoshin
14:20 Japanese drum performance by Wasoka
14:40 Folk song performance by NeoBallad
16:00 Aizu Domain School Procession arrives
16:15 Matrix collection
16:30 Fox procession begins (after the Aizu Domain School Procession Requiem Ceremony) *The time has changed.
16:40 Shinto ritual: Okaeri ceremony (shrine)
17:00 Fox procession ends
19:30 Fox Banquet (launch party) (Honmaru Chaya MAP) 2,500 yen

[Performer introduction]

The Great Brush Fox Ichinoshin

The foxes captivate large audiences with their dynamic brushwork, displayed in majestic attire. This will be their first appearance in Aizu this autumn, so what words will they weave? We hope you all look forward to it.

Japanese Taiko Drummers Ouka

The elusive Japanese drummers appear suddenly, creating a frenzied atmosphere before disappearing. I wonder what that group of foxes was all about... Anyway, the incredible sound of the Japanese drums will take away your very soul. Please be careful.

NeoBallad

This folk song unit, consisting of vocalist Sachi Wakasa and drummer and VJ Wataru Kamiryo, is a treasure of Aizu, hailing from Aizu's Bandai town and serving as a tourism ambassador for the town. Their rhythm and vocals awaken the samurai blood that flows through the people of Aizu, making for a fitting emotional climax. Be sure to enjoy NeoBallad's performance to the fullest on the day.

[About accommodation】

If you wish to stay overnight, please make your own arrangements.
Accommodation in Aizuwakamatsu city is convenient for getting to the venue.
There are many accommodations around Shinmei-dori Street from the station.

【traffic】

Please make your own arrangements for transportation to the event venue.
　
<For those using public transportation>
Expressway bus from Tokyo Busta Shinjuku → Oji Station → Inawashiro → Aizuwakamatsu
From Tokyo take the Shinkansen to Tokyo Station → (Shinkansen) → Koriyama → (Ban'etsu West Line) → Aizuwakamatsu

<For those coming by car>
Parking is available at Tsuruga Castle Park East Entrance Tourist Parking Lot (MAP）※有料が便利です
　　また、会津まつり臨時駐車場（MAP）※無料が解放されています。

[About cancellations]

Please be sure to contact us if you wish to cancel.
We apologize for any inconvenience, but if you cancel without notice on the day of the event, we may charge you the participation fee.
If you wish to cancel your participation in the launch party, please do so at least one day in advance.

Organizer：Samurai City Project Executive Committee
Planning and Management: Yokaiya LLC