Inuyama Castle

犬山城

Inuyama's main attraction its is fine castle overlooking the Kiso River below.




With building supposedly beginning in 1440, Inuyama Castle (also known as Hakutei) is Japan's oldest existing fortress. The present Momoyama-style keep and gates of Inuyama Castle were completed by Oda Nobuyasu, the uncle of notorious, local warlord Oda Nobunaga, in 1537. The castle has two basement floors and four floors above ground.

Along with its fine views, the castle's wooden donjon has displays of suits of samurai armor, folding screens and documents from its long historical past.



Inuyama Castle was privately owned by the Naruse family, retainers of the local Matsudaira clan, from 1618 until recently except for a period just after the Meiji Restoration when the property was seized by the new Meiji government as punishment for Naruse support of the defeated shogunate.

The castle was given back to the Naruse family for repair and upkeep in 1895 after an earthquake damaged it in 1891 but ownership was transferred to a civic foundation in 2004.

Inuyama Castle
Tel: 0568 61 1711
Hours: 9am-5pm
Admission 500 yen
inuyama.gr.jp

Access:
The nearest stations to Inuyama Castle within 15-20 minutes walking distance are Meitetsu Inuyama Yuen Station or Meitetsu Inuyama Station.
There are regular Meitetsu trains to Inuyama Station from Nagoya Station and Gifu. The journey from both cities takes around 35 minutes by express.
Inuyama Travel Guide
Japanese Art - byobu screens

Japanese Art Books

Tags

Japan Inuyama Inuyama Castle Nagoya