This is it! Inuyama castle (犬山城) was the last of the 12 original castles for me to visit. Located in Aichi Prefecture, it claims to be the oldest castle. Claims because Maruoka Castle and Matsumoto Castle state the same thing. The conflicting information is hilarious and what makes history interesting. I think it’s fun to let them duke it out. Located right on a river, it’s very picturesque. Don’t worry, the 40 m rise isn’t too bad of a hill to hike up.
The pretentious Inuyama Castle
Another funny note about Inuyama Castle. She definitely has a complex. Or at least the town folks do. Not only is there the whole “I’m oldest!” thing. But where as every other castle of the 12 displays pictures inside the keep of all 12 castles, Inuyama shows 5. Why’s that, you ask? Because only 5 of them are designated as National Treasures. The rest are “Important Cultural Properties” alone.
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Don’t forget to get your stamp for the 100 finest castles of Japan Stamp Rally! This was actually my first stamp as I finally found the book (日本100名城に行こう 公式スタンプ帳つき)in the Inuyama Castle gift shop.
Unique Features
The 唐破風, Karahafu room as it’s called for the beautiful curved gables is located on one of the floors in the castle. The plover shaped windows are unique to Inuyama. The “kara” part of the world signifies the style came from China.
Experience more of the history
A mostly replicated Castle town is out the front gate of Inuyama Castle. You get the feel of what it use to be like. There is one of the great three tea houses here too, of which I didn’t have time to go to, nor did I learn about until I was checking facts and figures for this post! Always leave something for next time!
Getting Here
A quick 15 minute walk from the Inuyama-Yuen Station on the Meitetsu line will get you up the hill to Inuyama Castle.
Japan is amazing. I feel like they even have the secret to ever lasting life it looks so peaceful there !! Thanks for showing me around. 🙏🏾🙏🏾♥️
It’s definitely got a lot going for it!!
If we lived just a liiiiiittle closer to each other, I would totally be your N3 study buddy! Do I get any points for the test if I’m wondering why this castle-with-a-complex is named….Dog Mountain?? 😀
There’s technology, we could still be N3 study buddies!!! And I love trying to figure out why certain places have their names here. It’s funny when I point stuff out to my Japanese friends like that and they are all “huh, never thought about it”…. WHY NOT?!?!?! Were there a million dogs there? There has to be a story!
Thanks for showing me around. Japan is so rich in culture and history! I would love to go one day. When is a good time of year to go !?
There’s definitely something special during every season! Summer gets absurdly hot though so if you don’t like sweltering heat, I’d avoid July/August. Both spring and fall take advantage of the trees, with Cherry blossoms (sakura/hanami) in the spring and fall colors makes for a great time too. Is there anything you know you want to do? That can help with suggestions :).
So cool!! Do you speak Japanese or do you arrange for a dedicated guide ahead of your trips?
I speak enough to get by, but honestly, I’ve been slacking on my language learning this past year and it’s one of my goals for 2019 to pass the N3 and N2 levels of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. That’s SUPER lofty but I think I can do it.
Generally speaking, there are good multilingual signs or at least pamplets at all the major tourist attractions so that it makes your visit easier :).