Inuyama

The National Treasure Inuyama Castle on the banks of the Kiso River overlooks the old castle-town streets, while the Meiji Mura open-air museum and night cormorant fishing (ukai) make it the most characterful castle-town day trip near Nagoya.

Inuyama lies at the northernmost tip of Aichi Prefecture, on the south bank of the Kiso River about 25 km from Nagoya, facing Kakamigahara in Gifu Prefecture across the water. The city centers on the National Treasure Inuyama Castle. Its castle town still preserves the street layout of the Edo period, making it one of the most popular castle-town day trips from Nagoya. From late March to early April, cherry blossoms bloom along the Kiso River, and the first weekend of April brings the Inuyama Festival, a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. From June to mid-October, ukai cormorant fishing takes place on the Kiso River. In November, the autumn leaves at Jakkō-in and Uraku-en are at their finest. Summers are muggy, and winters are mild with little snow.

The core area is the castle and its town. Climb the keep for views over the Kiso River, then stroll the old Honmachi-dori street for dango, goheimochi and dengaku. Visit Sanko Inari Shrine, Hari Kuyō Shrine, Joan-an, the National Treasure teahouse in Uraku-en, and the Cultural History Museum. On the eastern outskirts are the Meiji Mura museum, the Little World open-air folk museum, and the Japanese Monkey Centre. By the river are Naritasan Temple and Jakkō-in. Getting there: take the Meitetsu Inuyama Line from Nagoya Station for about 30 minutes to Inuyama Station or Inuyama-Yūen Station. The castle town is walkable, but Meiji Mura and Little World require a bus from Inuyama Station, about 20 minutes. A half day is enough for the castle and old streets alone. With Meiji Mura, plan 1–2 days.

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