Inuyama castle designated as National Treasure

26/11/2024

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Inuyama castle designated as National Treasure

Inuyama Castle, located in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture, is one of the 12 castles in Japan with an original surviving main keep. According to recent research, Inuyama Castle was constructed around 1580, making it the oldest among the twelve original castles still standing in Japan. Unlike flatland castles such as Nagoya Castle or Osaka Castle, Inuyama Castle was built on a hill, and its internal structure is entirely different. Exploring the interior and climbing to the top of the castle can be a fascinating experience.

Inuyama Castle is about a 20-minute walk from Inuyama Station. Along the way, you’ll pass through remnants of the castle town, where old streets and traditional architecture are preserved. There are many restaurants in the area, making it a great place to enjoy a meal before or after your visit. Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos of the castle town, so I’ll jump straight to pictures of the castle itself.

I climbed up to the front of the castle. Since it’s late November, the autumn leaves are in full display, adding vibrant colors to the surroundings. To enter the castle, you need to pay an admission fee, which is currently 550 yen for adults.

I didn’t take photos inside the castle. The stairs are incredibly steep, making it difficult and impractical to take pictures. It’s better to just enjoy the experience without a camera. Also, for women, I’d recommend wearing pants for more ease and comfort while climbing. The photo above shows the view from the top floor of the castle. The autumn foliage is stunning and adds to the charm of the scenery.