Complete Travel Guide to Inuyama Castle, Home to Japan’s Oldest Existing National Treasure Castle Keep

Inuyama Castle is said to have been built in 1537 by Nobuyasu, the uncle of Oda Nobunaga.
With a cliff at its back that made it difficult for enemies to attack and a strategic position along the Kiso River, it became an important military base over the long term.
After the Honno-ji Incident in 1582, the situation changed dramatically, and in the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute in 1584, Toyotomi Hideyoshi occupied the castle.
As the castle’s lords changed rapidly, Ogasawara Yoshitsugu, aligned with Tokugawa Ieyasu, entered the castle in 1600.
In 1617, Naruse Masanari, a senior retainer of the Owari Tokugawa family, became lord of the castle. The Naruse family then ruled and protected it for Approx. 250 years over nine generations.
During the Meiji period (1868–1912), the Nobi Earthquake partially destroyed the keep, but it was restored through the efforts of the Naruse family and local residents, and it was designated a National Treasure in 1935.

The greatest appeal of Inuyama Castle is, of course, Japan’s oldest wooden castle keep.
While it appears to have three tiers from the outside, the interior has four floors, preserving a classic structure. The north-south kara-hafu gables and east-west irimoya gables give it an elegant look.
Inside, thick beams and pillars remain as they are, and the creaking floorboards let you feel the breath of history firsthand.
Also not to be missed is the top-floor wraparound balcony, the only one among Japan’s five National Treasure castles where visitors can step outside and walk all the way around.
It is an extremely rare experience, and the view overlooking the Kiso River below is sure to leave you impressed.

Sanko Inari Shrine, located at the foot of Inuyama Castle, is a historic shrine long worshipped as the guardian deity of the Naruse family, successive lords of Inuyama Castle.
Because it sits along the route up to the castle, it is easy to visit. Its rows of vermilion Senbon Torii gates are an iconic sight and are said to make wishes come true when you pass through them.
Especially popular are the pink heart-shaped ema prayer plaques associated with blessings for matchmaking.
It has even ranked third nationwide among social media–friendly photo spots, and the rows of ema boards create a cute, wall-art-like scene.
You can also try a unique experience at the shrine’s Zeniarai Pond, where washing money in the sacred water is said to bring it back many times over.

Castle Town Honmachi Street is a beautiful area where the Edo-period town layout remains strongly visible and utility poles have been removed.
This classic route from Inuyama Station to Inuyama Castle is popular for strolling, as the castle keep gradually appears on the hill ahead as you walk.
Historic buildings are scattered throughout, letting you enjoy the area while immersing yourself in its unique atmosphere.
Along the Approx. 600-meter street, cafés, Japanese sweets shops, local cuisine restaurants, and many other stores line the road, while enticing aromas and lively crowds enhance the travel mood.
There is also plenty of street food such as gohei mochi, kushikatsu, and Koikomachi dango, along with shops selling traditional crafts and miscellaneous goods, making it perfect for souvenir hunting.

Urakuen Japanese Garden was created under the supervision of Horiguchi Sutemi, a leading architect of the Showa period.
Its pond garden, dry landscape garden, and roji tea garden are skillfully arranged, offering seasonal scenery such as cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in early summer, fall foliage, and snowy winter views.
The main highlight is Jo-an, a National Treasure tea room built at Kennin-ji Temple in Kyoto by Urakusai, Nobunaga’s younger brother and a great tea master.
It is one of the three surviving National Treasure tea rooms and the only place where you can see one up close at all times.
Inside the garden, you will also find a variety of tea ceremony buildings, including the Important Cultural Property Former Shoden-in Shoin and Gen-an, which was reconstructed based on old drawings.
At Ko-an in particular, matcha and Japanese sweets served in Inuyama ware tea utensils are popular, offering a moment to immerse yourself in tea culture while viewing the garden.

Osugi-sama is a cedar tree surrounded by a turret on the east side of the castle keep, quietly radiating a strong presence.
Approx. 650 years old, it is said to have existed before Inuyama Castle was built and originally stood about as tall as the keep.
Sadly, it withered in 1965, but local residents continue to revere it as a sacred tree that protected the castle for many years, carefully replacing its shimenawa sacred rope.
Also, every June, trumpet vine flowers from China bloom on the trunk, making it a special presence where the breath of life can still be felt.
When you visit, be sure to put your hands together and express gratitude to Osugi-sama, which has watched over hundreds of years of history.

A “gojoin” castle seal is a keepsake received as proof of visiting a castle.
The Inuyama Castle gojoin uses Mino washi paper made in the production area of Honminoshi, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The characters for “National Treasure Inuyama Castle” are written in brush calligraphy by local calligrapher Matsuura Hakuseki, and the background is stamped with the family crests of the related Oda, Toyotomi, Tokugawa, and Naruse families.
Including the gojoin for its other name, Hakutei Castle, it is sold only at the Inuyama Castle Tourist Information Center (9:00am–4:30pm), and because it is prewritten, you can receive it right away (300 yen per sheet).
It is a great way to visually preserve your travel memories and learn more about the castle’s history, so be sure to get one.

If you want to experience Inuyama Castle’s castle town more deeply, kimono rental is recommended.
Several kimono rental shops are located along Castle Town Honmachi Street, and a full set typically costs 4,400 yen, making it easy to try.
You can choose from a wide range of styles, from retro patterns to modern designs, and dressing, hair styling, and all necessary accessories are included, so you can come empty-handed.
Historic streetscapes and kimono go beautifully together, making old townhouse streets and stone-paved alleys even more photogenic. Enjoying street food or visiting cafés in kimono also adds to the travel atmosphere.
It also makes taking photos more fun and is perfect for creating special memories.

Outside of Inuyama Castle Town, the “Comedy Rickshaw” is a sightseeing style you rarely get to experience.
Its distinctive feature is that the rickshaw pullers are young comedians from Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd., who introduce the history of Inuyama Castle and the castle town in an easy-to-understand way, sometimes with humor mixed in.
By the way, all of them have received rickshaw operation training in Asakusa, the home of rickshaw tours, so you can feel comfortable about their riding skills.
You can enjoy a unique guide experience that combines lively talk with historical commentary and discover points that are easy to miss by simply walking.
Another appeal is hearing information you won’t find in guidebooks, such as tips for taking photos at scenic spots and little-known behind-the-scenes stories.
Combining it with photogenic kimono rental is recommended.

Kiso River cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing method that has continued for more than 1,300 years since the Edo period.
You can watch up close as cormorant masters and boatmen board the fishing boats and handle 10 cormorants to catch ayu sweetfish and other river fish.
There are two sessions with different atmospheres, daytime and nighttime, and two plans to choose from depending on your interests: an easy plan or a plan with a meal on board.
Daytime cormorant fishing, which offers a vivid sense of realism, is held only on the Kiso River in all of Japan, while nighttime cormorant fishing features a fantastical scene lit by flickering bonfires.
This rich experience, where you can enjoy history, nature, and traditional culture all at once, makes a fitting travel memory.
*Season: June 1–October 15 (advance reservation required)

This open-air museum opened in 1965 and relocates, preserves, and exhibits buildings of artistic and historical value, mainly from the Meiji period. Visitors can see numerous cultural properties up close, including 11 Important Cultural Properties.
One of the most popular is the main entrance hall of the Imperial Hotel, designed by the famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Completed in 1923, it features beautiful geometric carvings and openwork terracotta decoration. Other relocated buildings include the Important Cultural Property St. John’s Church, the former residences of Mori Ogai and Natsume Soseki associated with great figures of the Meiji period, and Koda Rohan’s Snail House.

Dondenkan is a museum displaying yama festival floats that are actually pulled in the Inuyama Festival, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event. The floats are Approx. 8 meters tall and weigh over 3 tons.
It was named after the festival highlight “donden,” a powerful movement in which one side of a float is lifted and turned dramatically.
Inside, four of the 13 yama floats are displayed, allowing you to see decorations packed with craftsmanship up close, including intricate carvings, gold leaf, and embroidered curtains.
A six-minute light and sound production that condenses a full festival day is another highlight, letting you enjoy the excitement of the festival atmosphere year-round, even in a simulated form.
With detailed explanations of the mechanisms and structures, as well as extensive historical materials, it is an engaging spot where you can learn about Inuyama culture from multiple angles.

Haritsuna Shrine, which has stood in Inuyama for more than 1,000 years, has long been revered as the guardian shrine of Inuyama Castle.
When you step into the grounds, you will find a magnificent worship hall and old trees, along with highlights such as the Shinmesha sacred horse stable and Chikara-ishi strength stones, all evoking its long history.
Because Oda Nobuyasu is said to have dedicated a hand-carved dog in prayer for safe childbirth and longevity, the shrine is especially believed to offer blessings for safe childbirth, conception, and long life.
It is also deeply connected to the Inuyama Festival, where the yama floats are dedicated at this shrine, creating a festive atmosphere in spring.

Honmachi Saryo, located in the middle of Castle Town Honmachi Street, is a Japanese-style café renovated from a 100-year-old traditional house.
The warm wooden interior is comfortable and perfect for taking a break during your walk.
With the concept of “traditional × cute,” it offers many photogenic menu items that are sure to look great on Instagram.
A top recommendation is the Colorful Dengaku Set Meal, which includes seven kinds of dengaku, nameshi rice, clear soup, and Inuyama tea (sencha or hojicha).
Another nice point is that the matcha and matcha zenzai are served in Inuyama ware vessels, a cultural property designated by Inuyama City.

Yamada Gohei Mochi Shop is a long-established gohei mochi specialty shop beloved for many years in Inuyama Castle Town.
The shop building is designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan, and it is so popular that long lines form with people waiting for freshly made handmade gohei mochi.
Its homemade sauce, made with crushed sesame seeds, walnuts, peanuts, and soy sauce, is known for its delicious flavor and is generously spread over mochi that grills in Approx. 3 minutes.
The appetizing aroma and simple yet deep flavor make it easy to understand why so many people return.
The reasonable price of 100 yen per skewer is also part of its appeal.
*Open only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays

Kisogawa Shoten, located in Inuyama Castle Town, is a popular street food spot to stop by while exploring.
Its biggest appeal is that you can enjoy Inuyama’s specialty, salt-grilled ayu sweetfish.
Because it is slowly grilled for one hour, it becomes tender enough to eat whole from head to bones, and a skewer enjoyed in the atmosphere of the castle town tastes exceptionally delicious.
The shop’s original shio-koji soft serve, made with salted rice malt, is also well liked for its refreshing, easy-to-eat flavor.