After the fall of the shogunate in 1867, forces still loyal to the shogun were concentrated in the northern Tohoku region. They attempted to resist the new government, but suffered a decisive defeat at Tsuruga Castle in 1868. Looking out from Iimoriyama Hill, a group of young Aizu soldiers in a unit called the Byakkotai (White Tiger Corps) saw their castle engulfed in flames and committed seppuku.
The twenty boys, aged 14 to 16, had made a grave error. The castle had not actually been taken; the flames they had seen were from outside the castle walls. Nevertheless, the story of their loyalty and devotion has become well known, and numerous movie and manga adaptations have been made of their tale.
Iimoriyama (ѐR), the site of the boys' suicide, has become a popular tourist attraction. Among the souvenir shops around the base of the hill are two museums devoted to the Byakkotai. The Byakkotai Memorial Hall is the larger and is located beside the main path up the hill. The second, the Byakkotai Folklore and Historical Museum, is much smaller and can be found a bit off the main path.
Further up the mountain, accessible by stairs or a paid escalator (250 yen), are several monuments including the 19 tombs for the Byakkotai soldiers. Though there were 20 of them on the hill, one of the boys was not successful in his suicide attempt. At a point on the hill that looks onto Tsuruga Castle is a statue of a Byakkotai soldier peering off into the distance.
There are also two monuments which visitors may find surprising. From Japan's fascist allies during the war, there is a column from Italy and a plaque from Germany. The column has a statue of an eagle on its top and was taken from Pompeii, while the plaque was given by a diplomat in 1935.
Down the northern side of the hill are a few other buildings of interest, such as a shrine and the unique Sazaedo Pagoda. The pagoda is particularly interesting because visitors can enter inside, and a ramp spirals up to the top of the pagoda and back down again.
Getting there and around
The Aizu Loop Bus stops at "Iimoriyama-shita" bus stop at the foot of the mountain. The ride from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station takes 5 minutes in the clockwise direction or 45 minutes in the counter-clockwise direction.
Hours and Fees
Byakkotai Memorial Hall
Hours
Closed
Admission
Byakkotai Folklore and Historical Museum
Hours
9:00 to 16:00 (December to March)
Closed
Admission
Sazaedo Pagoda
Hours
9:00 to 16:00 (December to March)
Closed
Admission
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Aizu
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TagotoTagoto features a hot public bath, Japanese-style and Western rooms and Japanese cuisine, a 5-minute drive from Aizu Wakamatsu Station. It offers free Wi-Fi throughout the propert and free parking is on-site. Japanese-style rooms have a tatami (woven-straw) floor and traditional futon bedding, while Western rooms come with beds and an en suite bathroom. All rooms are air-conditioned and fitted with an LCD TV and a fridge. The restaurant offers local specialities, including the regionfs signature meppameshi rice dish and an Aizu Kaiseki multi-course dinner. Tagoto is a 7-minute drive from Tsuruga Castle and a 10-minute drive from Mount Iimori. The Noguchi Hideyo Memorial Museum is a 30-minute drive.View on Booking.com
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OokawasoFeaturing free WiFi and a restaurant, Okawaso offers accommodation in Aizuwakamatsu, 13 km from Aizu Higashiyama Onsen. Each room at this ryokan is air conditioned and comes with a TV. The rooms include a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find slippers and a hairdryer. You will find free shuttle service at the property. Guests can enjoy seasonal Japanese and Western-style buffet spread breakfast and dinner. Mount Iimori is 16 km from Okawaso, while Aizuwakamatsu Castle is 14 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki3.7 km from Mount Iimori in Aizuwakamatsu, Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki provides accommodation with access to a hot spring bath, public bath and open-air bath. There is an in-house restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, a lift and luggage storage for guests. The ryokan features some units with mountain views, and each unit includes a private bathroom. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Aizuwakamatsu Station is 4.9 km from the ryokan, while Kitakata Station is 25 km from the property. Fukushima Airport is 73 km away.View on Booking.com
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Kutsurogijyuku ShintakiSituated in Aizuwakamatsu, 3.8 km from Mount Iimori, Kutsurogijyuku Shintaki provides accommodation with a hot spring bath, a public bath and an open-air bath. There is an in-house restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The accommodation features a lift, full-day security and luggage storage for guests. The units in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bidet in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Guests are welcome to unwind in the on-site lounge, while a minimarket is also available. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. You can play table tennis at this 3-star ryokan. An indoor play area is also available for guests at the ryokan. Aizuwakamatsu Station is 5.1 km from Kutsurogijyuku Shintaki, while Kitakata Station is 26 km from the property. Fukushima Airport is 74 km away.View on Booking.com
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Marumine Kanko HotelLocated in Ashinomaki Onsen, kJ̏h쉹 provides air-conditioned rooms with private open-air hot spring bath. The property is situated 16 km from central Aizuwakamatsu and Aizuwakamatsu Castle is 14 km from kJ̏h쉹. Ouchijuku, featuring traditional buildings is 14 km from the property. The ryokan features a public hot spring bath, open-air hot spring bath and sauna. Free shuttle service to Ashinomaki Station is available. Luggage storage is available for guest's convenience. The rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV. kJ̏h쉹 offers certain units that feature a balcony, and every room comes with an electric kettle. All units will provide guests with a fridge. Certain rooms feature Simmons mattresses. A traditional kaiseki (multi-course) dinner is served at the dining area. A buffet breakfast or Japanese-style breakfast is served each morning at the property.View on Booking.com
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Shosuke-no-Yado TakinoyuFeaturing an open-air bath and views of mountain, Shosuke-no-Yado Takinoyu is a ryokan situated in a historic building in Aizuwakamatsu, 3.4 km from Mount Iimori. This 4-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and a lift. The accommodation offers a hot spring bath, spa facilities, family-friendly restaurant and free WiFi. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned units with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. There is a seating and a dining area in all units. At the ryokan, each unit comes with bed linen and towels. A minimarket is available at the ryokan. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. For guests with children, the ryokan provides a baby safety gate and a children's playground. Guests can relax in the garden at the property. Aizuwakamatsu Station is 4.6 km from Shosuke-no-Yado Takinoyu, while Kitakata Station is 25 km away. Fukushima Airport is 73 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Onyado TohoSet in Aizuwakamatsu, 500 metres from Aizu Higashiyama Onsen, Onyado Toho features free WiFi access and free private parking. Free shuttle service is available from Aizuwakamatsu Station to the hotel on a first-come, first-served basis. You will find a kettle in the room. All rooms are equipped with a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find slippers, free toiletries and a hairdryer. You will find shops at the property. Mount Iimori is 2.4 km from Onyado Toho, while Aizuwakamatsu Castle is 2.6 km away.View on Booking.com
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Hotel Route-Inn AizuwakamatsuOnly a 5-minute drive from JR Aizuwakamatsu Train Station, Hotel Route-Inn Aizuwakamatsu features simple modern accommodations and a free-breakfast for all guests. Free wired internet is available in all rooms and you can refresh in the spacious public baths. Contemporary rooms are furnished with amenities from a flat-screen TV and a fridge, to nightwear and toiletries. An air humidifier and an extra pillow are available on request. A coin-operated launderette is on-site. Guests can relax in the massage chairs and use the free-use computers. The free breakfast buffet is available from 06:45-09:00 at the dining area. Hana-Hana-Tei serves Japanese favourites and sake from 18:00-22:00 (last order at 21:30, closed Sundays). Aizuwakamatsu Route-Inn Hotel is a 10-minute drive from Tsururga Castle and a 30-minute drive from Lake Inawashiro. Sazaedo is a 5-minute drive away.View on Booking.com
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Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Higashiyama Grand Hotel6.2 km from Aizuwakamatsu Station in Aizuwakamatsu, Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Higashiyama Grand Hotel features accommodation with access to a sauna, hot spring bath and public bath. Featuring free private parking, the 3-star ryokan is 4.9 km from Mount Iimori. The accommodation offers luggage storage space and a housekeeping service for guests. The units in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bath in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Kitakata Station is 27 km from Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Higashiyama Grand Hotel, while Ouchi-juku is 33 km from the property. Fukushima Airport is 75 km away.View on Booking.com
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Aizuwakamatsu Washington HotelA 5-minute walk from JR Aizuwakamatsu Train Station, Aizuwakamatsu Washington Hotel offers accommodations with free Wi-Fi. Massages can be requested for an extra cost and guests can enjoy refreshments at the hotelfs cafe. The air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen satellite TV, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags. Japanese Yukata robes and toothbrush sets are provided for all guests. The en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. Luggage storage is provided at the front desk. Free parking is available and photocopying services are provided for an extra cost. Washington Hotel Aizuwakamatsu is a 10-minute drive from Tsuruga Castle and a 5-minute drive from Sazaedo Shrine. The foot of Mount Iimori is a 25-minute walk away.View on Booking.com
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