Inuyama Castle

Perched atop a small hill along the Kiso River, Inuyama Castle was built in 1537. Its commanding wooden keep is said to be the oldest of its kind in Japan and one of only five castles recognized as a National Treasure. The watchtower-style keep has three above-ground floors and four levels, with two basement levels. The castle is strategically designed for rear fortification, enabling defenders to focus on enemies directly in front. From the veranda, you can look down on the Kiso River and enjoy a magnificent view of the Nobi Plain. On clear days, you can even see Gifu Castle and the cityscape of Nagoya in the distance.
The castle’s history reflects the shifting fortunes of the Sengoku and Edo periods. It passed through the hands of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and other Sengoku-era daimyo before being governed for centuries by the Naruse family, who served as chief retainers under the Owari Tokugawa clan. Many of the castle buildings were destroyed at the end of the Edo period, and the keep was later damaged in an earthquake, though it was later repaired. Remarkably, Inuyama Castle remained privately owned until 2004, when stewardship passed to a public foundation for preservation.
The surrounding castle town has an old-time charm with traditional shops and local treats like miso-dengaku skewers (featuring different ingredients glazed in miso). If you visit in April, you’ll find another Edo era tradition in the Inuyama Festival—dating back to 1635 and recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage site. The festival fills the town with color as towering floats parade by day and glow with hundreds of lanterns at night, creating a magical scene beneath the cherry blossoms and the illuminated castle.