Aizu-wakamatsu

Aizu-wakamatsu is a city located in the Aizu region of Fukushima, Japan.

During the Boshin War the city was besieged by the imperial forces. Aizu was a loyal supporter of the Tokugawa Shogun who had recently abdicated power to the Emperor. Although Aizu agreed to surrender to the imperial forces, they were treated more harshly than other domains loyal to the Tokugawa. It is believed this was due to the high level of loyalty Aizu had for the Shogun as well as due to Aizu having been assigned by the Shogun as the Protector of Kyoto prior to the Meiji Restoration. As Protector of Kyoto, Aizu had many enemies due to the harshness of their actions. The city was (re)founded on April 1, 1899.