National Treasure Inuyama Castle | Inuyama City | Aichi Prefecture | Official Site | Sightseeing Information | Directions | Parking | Details | AichiNow-OFFICIAL SITE FOR TOURISM AICHI

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Inuyama-City National Treasure Inuyama Castle

  • National Treasure Inuyama Castle
  • National Treasure Inuyama Castle
  • National Treasure Inuyama Castle
  • National Treasure Inuyama Castle
  • National Treasure Inuyama Castle
  • National Treasure Inuyama Castle
  • National Treasure Inuyama Castle

The Treasures of Inuyama

Only 12 original castles remain in original condition across Japan. Of those 12, only five are allocated National Treasure status. The smallest, and oldest of these is Inuyama Castle, dating from around 1440, although the current structure dates from almost a century later.

National Treasure Inuyama Castle

Strategically positioned on a wedge shaped hill with the wide, fast flowing Kiso River running around and below it, and with unhindered views of the surrounding area, it was the first castle to be owned outright by the warlord Oda Nobunaga, although he didn’t stay long, or use it as a regular base. Instead, he left his uncle as caretaker while he went off to fight more battles.

What remains of Inuyama Castle is just the keep, the main watchtower. Turrets, barracks, large walled corridors, protective gates and related buildings once surrounded the entire mountain until their demolition at the end of the Edo Period (1603-1868).

National Treasure Inuyama Castle

The keep itself looks small compared to other castles. Its stone walls stand just five meters in height, and the tower itself 19 meters on top of that. Floor space is around 699 square meters, which was normal for a keep of those days. You have to remove your shoes to enter the keep, but once inside, the wooden floor boards and naked pillars speak volumes. Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and a host of famous historical samurai figures have trodden these floors.

Steep stairs throughout not only saved interior space, but hindered armored invaders, making defense of the castle easier. The first floor is divided into a number of chambers, with wide corridors around these chambers giving the samurai ample space to move in times of attack. Climb a floor to see the armory where arms and armor were stored ready for attack. Above that, small balconies concealed under triangular eves provide fine views of the river, mountains, and attackers too. The fourth floor consists of a wide chamber, surrounded by a low balcony providing spectacular views of the surrounding area.

National Treasure Inuyama Castle

Toyotomi Hideyoshi and 120,000 samurai used Inuyama Castle during the 1584 Battle Of Komaki Nagakute against Tokugawa Ieyasu. In 1600 it was threatened during the great battle at Sekigahara. The castle then went through a succession of lords before Naruse Masanori was installed here in 1617. Inuyama remained in the hands of 12 generations of the Naruse clan until as recently as 2004, when it was handed over to Inuyama City and a new overseeing foundation.

Inuyama Castle is a fine example of 16th Century samurai castle architecture, a National Treasure where you’re sure to make some treasured memories of your time in Japan.

Inuyama Castle

SPOT OVERVIEW

  • Souvenirs
  • Parking
  • Wi-Fi
Location : 〒484-0082
65-2 Kitakoken, Inuyama, Inuyama-City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Fee : Adults 550 yen, Junior High School and Elementary School students 110 yen.

•4 Inuyama Facilities Common Pass:
Sold as set for 600 yen (150 yen off the regular fee)
Allows for admission at
1. National Treasure Inuyama Castle +
2. "Shiro-to-Machi Museum" Inuyama Cultural Assets Museum +
3. Karakuri Exhibition Museum and Inuyama Cultural Assets Museum Annex +
4. "Dondenkan" Inuyama Festival Museum
*: No refunds accepted for common pass.
*: Common pass valid for 3 months after purchase date.
Opening
days / hours
: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last Admission 4:30 PM)
Parking : Available, free of charge (cap. 140 cars, open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM)
Restrooms : Available
Holidays : December 29 to 31
Phone number : 0568-61-1711

Note: This page may not be current due to update time differences between site databases.
Should accuracy be critical, please verify this information using a direct source, whenever possible.

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ACCESS

  • Access by public transport
    Access by public transport
    15min westwards walk from either Inuyama-Yuen Station or Inuyama Station, both of the Meitetsu Inuyama Line (board the train bound for Inuyama from Meitetsu Nagoya Station).
  • Access by car
    Access by car
    -Approx. 30min (10.5km) northwards from either Komaki I.C. of the Meishin Expressway / Tomei Expressway, or Komaki Kita I.C. of the Nagoya Expressway R11 Komaki Route, via Route 41, or;
    -Approx. 20min (13.9km) northwestwards from Komaki-Higashi I.C. of the Chuo Expressway via routes 49, and 461.

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KeywordKeyword
#National Treasure
#Inuyama Castle
#Oldest Extant Castle in Japan
#Japanese Castle
#Tenshu Tower
#Donjon

INFORMATION ON THE SURROUNDING AREA

Sanko Inari Jinja ShrineInuyama-City

Sanko Inari Jinja Shrine
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Inuyama Hot SpringInuyama-City

Inuyama Hot Spring
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    Shirotomachi Museum (Inuyama Artifacts Museum)Inuyama-City

    Shirotomachi Museum (Inuyama Artifacts Museum)
    Inuyama is a land almost untouched by time with much of its castle, castle town, and town ...
    • Multipurpose toilet
    • Parking
    • Wi-Fi

    IMASEN Inuyama Karakuri Exhibition Museum (Inuyama Cultural History Museum)Inuyama-City

    IMASEN Inuyama Karakuri Exhibition Museum (Inuyama Cultural History Museum)
    Exhibition of a plethora of materials related to karakuri culture. See up close the Float ...
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    Former Isobe ResidenceInuyama-City

    Former Isobe Residence
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      Donden-kan Palace Inuyama Festival MuseumInuyama-City

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      • Multipurpose toilet
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