Brazil
Antarctica
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Bermuda
Canada
the United States
Greenland
Mexico
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Egypt
Australia
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Castle · Inuyama, Aichi
Inuyama Castle
Castle on the banks of the Kiso River, with one of Japan’s oldest main towers, a national treasure, and an open balcony on the top floor overlooking the river and the plain.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
A look at the place
Inuyama Castle in pictures
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
Discover
About Inuyama Castle
Inuyama Castle stands atop a hill on the banks of the Kiso River, which provides natural protection to the north. The first fortification dates from 1537, and the main keep seen today was built and enlarged between the late 16th and early 17th centuries. It is one of twelve castle keeps that have survived to the present without reconstruction and one of five designated as national treasures.
The tower has three exterior roofs and four interior floors, plus two stone basement levels. The wooden stairways are very steep, and the interior preserves original beams, floors and walls. On the top floor, a narrow balcony with a low wooden railing encircles the tower and offers views of the Kiso River, the Gifu mountains and the Nobi Plain as far as Nagoya.
The castle belonged to the Naruse family, lords of Inuyama, from 1617 until 2004, a rare case of a private castle in Japan. It later passed to a foundation. At the foot of the hill, the castle town preserves its old layout, with streets of wooden houses, shops, a merchant’s house open to visitors and a museum of festival floats from the Inuyama festival, which takes place in spring.
Haritsuna Shrine and Sankozan Inari Shrine are on the approach up the hill. The Urakuen garden, containing the Joan tea house, is a few minutes’ walk away.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour; add 1 hour if you include the old street.
Best time
In the morning, before tour groups arrive. The cherry blossoms on the hill usually open in early April, along with the Inuyama festival. On very busy days there can be a line to climb the keep. Check opening hours.
How to get there
About a 15-minute walk from Inuyama Station on the Meitetsu line, or 10 minutes from Inuyama-yuen Station.
Tip
Wear shoes that are easy to remove and put back on: you enter the keep in socks, and the stairs are steep. Hold the handrail when descending.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Inuyama Castle
Is Inuyama Castle original?
Yes. The main keep is one of the twelve that have reached the present without reconstruction and one of five classified as a national treasure.
Can you see the river from Inuyama Castle?
Yes. The top-floor balcony wraps around the tower and faces the Kiso River and the plain toward Nagoya.
How long does a visit to Inuyama Castle take?
About 1 hour. With the castle-town street, allow an extra hour.
Are the stairs at Inuyama Castle difficult?
They are very steep, like in other original castles. There are handrails, but the climb requires caution.
Beyond the guide
