犬山城 · Inuyama-jo
The oldest surviving castle tower in Japan — compact, dramatic, and perched above a river just as it was when Oda Nobunaga's family built it in 1537.
#43 — 100 Famous CastlesChild: ¥110
Last entry 16:30
Elementary and junior high students ¥110.
Inuyama punches well above its size. Yes, the tower is small and facilities are limited — but standing on the open-air gallery of the oldest original castle tower in Japan, looking down at the river below, is a genuinely moving experience. Combine it with a walk through Inuyama's well-preserved castle town (one of Japan's best) and a cormorant fishing show on the river for a full day.
Inuyama Castle holds the record: its main tower dates to 1537, making it the oldest original castle tower in Japan. While other famous castles have been rebuilt after fires or wars, Inuyama's tower is the genuine article — the same wooden structure that stood here nearly 500 years ago, during the age of warlords and civil war.
For most of its history, Inuyama Castle was privately owned by the Naruse family — descendants of the samurai lords who governed here in the Edo period. This unusual arrangement lasted until 2004, when the family donated it to a foundation. It's a National Treasure (one of only five castle towers with this designation) that was, until recently, someone's family property.
Unlike most Japanese castle towers where upper floors are enclosed, Inuyama has a narrow open walkway (engawa) that wraps completely around the top floor. Standing here with the Kiso River below and rolling hills in every direction gives you an exhilarating sense of what it felt like to survey your domain from a medieval mountain fortress.
Visitor Tip
The tower is small — four floors, with each floor getting progressively smaller as you go up. The staircases are steep and the spaces are tight. But the open-air walkway at the top is the reward: it offers a 360-degree panoramic view of the river, the hills, and the historic castle town below. Bring a jacket — it can be cold and windy up here.
yamajiro
Mountain castle — built on a rocky cliff above the Kiso River, using the natural terrain as its primary defense
renkaku
Compound style — tower and supporting structures connected into a single defensive complex
Original wooden tenshu (main keep) — the oldest surviving castle tower in Japan, dating to 1537. One of 12 original towers and one of five National Treasures.
nozurazumi — Natural stone stacking — irregular stones fitted without cutting, blending with the rocky cliff face
The stone walls are relatively simple — the rocky cliff itself provides most of the defensive barrier. The walls extend naturally from the cliff face, making it difficult to distinguish where natural rock ends and constructed wall begins.
Cliff Above the Kiso River
The castle sits directly above a rocky cliff dropping down to the Kiso River. Attackers from the north faced an impassable natural barrier. Even today, looking down from the castle to the river far below gives you a visceral sense of how unassailable this position was.
Steep Wooded Approaches
The approaches on the south and east sides climb through steep, wooded terrain where any attacking force would be vulnerable to defenders above them. The paths switch back multiple times, preventing a charging assault.
The Deadliest Gate in Japan
The attacking force crosses the moat and approaches the outer gate. Defenders hold fire, allowing the enemy to commit.
Historical Context — Inuyama Castle
Inuyama Castle was designed to exploit its rocky hilltop position above the Kiso River. Any attacker had to approach through the castle town and then climb the steep, wooded hill — under fire from defenders above — before reaching the main compound. The cliff face made a flanking attack from the north impossible. Its small size was a weakness; it could not sustain a long siege.
Oda Nobuyasu — uncle of the future unifier of Japan, Oda Nobunaga — builds the main tower on the rocky cliff above the Kiso River. This is the tower that still stands today.
Oda Nobunaga takes control of Inuyama Castle as part of his campaign to unify the region around Owari Province (modern Aichi). It becomes a strategic outpost on his northern border.
At the Battle of Sekigahara, the lord of Inuyama backs the wrong side. Tokugawa Ieyasu wins and distributes the castle to loyal allies.
The Naruse clan is installed as lords of Inuyama. They will remain in control of the castle — through the Edo period, the Meiji Restoration, and into the modern era — for nearly 400 years.
The Nobi Earthquake causes significant damage to the tower. The Naruse family personally funds the repairs, beginning their long modern tradition of maintaining the castle as private owners.
The Japanese government designates Inuyama Castle's main tower a National Treasure — acknowledging it as the oldest surviving castle tower in Japan and an irreplaceable architectural artifact.
After nearly 400 years, the Naruse family donates the castle to the Inuyama Castle White Imperial Foundation, ending its unusual status as a privately-owned National Treasure.
This drama about Oda Nobunaga's era features Inuyama, which was closely tied to the Oda clan's early history.
Cherry blossom season is beautiful along the Kiso River below the castle. Summer evenings are worth considering for ukai (cormorant fishing) on the river. Autumn foliage against the stone walls and wooden tower is equally stunning.
1.5-2 hours
After the castle, walk south through the Honmachi street — this is one of Japan's best-preserved castle town streets, with traditional merchant buildings, sake breweries, and small restaurants. It's entirely free to walk and often overlooked by visitors who go straight to the train station after the castle.
Elementary and junior high students ¥110.
Closed December 29–31. May close during inclement weather (the upper gallery is exposed to the elements).
名古屋城 · Nagoya-jo
📍 Aichi — Chubu
Nagoya Castle is mid-renovation — visit now for the stunning reconstructed palace, return in a few years for the completed wooden tower.
清洲城 · Kiyosu-jo
📍 Aichi — Chubu
Where Nobunaga launched his conquest of Japan and where Hideyoshi's genius at the 1582 conference made him the successor — Japan's most consequential castle for two of its greatest leaders.
大垣城 · Ogaki-jo
📍 Gifu — Chubu
The crossroads castle where Ishida Mitsunari planned his doomed resistance — Ogaki stood at the hinge of the battle that made Tokugawa Japan.
The nearest station is Inuyama-Yuen Station or Inuyama Station (Meitetsu Inuyama Line). It is approximately a 15-minute walk from the station. Parking: Paid parking lots near the castle town.
Adult admission is ¥550. Children: ¥110. Elementary and junior high students ¥110.
Inuyama punches well above its size. Yes, the tower is small and facilities are limited — but standing on the open-air gallery of the oldest original castle tower in Japan, looking down at the river below, is a genuinely moving experience. Combine it with a walk through Inuyama's well-preserved castle town (one of Japan's best) and a cormorant fishing show on the river for a full day.
Inuyama Castle is open 09:00 – 17:00 (last entry 16:30). Closed December 29–31. May close during inclement weather (the upper gallery is exposed to the elements).
Plan on spending 1.5-2 hours at Inuyama Castle. After the castle, walk south through the Honmachi street — this is one of Japan's best-preserved castle town streets, with traditional merchant buildings, sake breweries, and small restaurants. It's entirely free to walk and often overlooked by visitors who go straight to the train station after the castle.