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Aichi · Inuyama

Inuyama Castle

犬山城

Inuyama, Aichi

CastleHilltop castle (hirayamajiro)Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 38

What makes this castle distinctive

Atop a cliff over the Kiso River stands a keep built before the Edo period, and you can walk all the way around its top-floor balcony looking down on the river and the Nobi Plain.

Why?

Inuyama's keep is an original survivor from its own era and a National Treasure. Its top floor is a lookout ringed by a railing and an outside balcony, and visitors can still step out and walk all the way around. The castle is what the Japanese call ushiro-kengo, protected at its back by the cliffs of the Kiso River, and that height is also what gives it such a view.^[1][5][6]

Three things not to miss

The top-floor balcony and its view over the Kiso River and Nobi Plain

Where: The balcony that runs around the outside of the keep's fourth-floor lookout.
What to look at: The railing around the balcony, the Kiso River to the north and the Nobi Plain spreading to the south.
Why it's interesting: The fourth floor is a lookout with a railing and balcony, said to have been remodeled under the Naruse family. The castle sits at the pivot point of the Nobi Plain, a great fan-shaped river plain, and the official site singles out the view from the top floor.^[1][5][4]
Can you see it?: Visible from outsideAccessible with a keep ticket. At busy times the wait to enter the keep can exceed an hour.

The basement (anagura) of the keep, where you enter. You can see the stone base that carries the keep and its thick beams.

The basement entrance inside the stone base

Where: The keep's two basement levels (anagura).
What to look at: The inside of the stone base that carries the keep, and the thick beams overhead.
Why it's interesting: Inuyama's keep is entered through a basement dug into its stone base. From there, narrow, steep wooden stairs climb all the way to the top floor, so you feel with your own feet that you are walking through a building older than the Edo period.^[1][2]
Can you see it?: Visible from outsideKeep ticket required. Shoes come off at the entrance, and the stairs are narrow and steep.

The cliff-backed castle hill seen from the Kiso River

Where: The banks and bridges of the Kiso River north of the castle, such as Inuyama Bridge.
What to look at: The cliff of the castle hill rising from the river, with the keep on top.
Why it's interesting: The castle was built on a freestanding hill about 80–85 m above sea level beside the Kiso River, with cliffs protecting its back. To the south, enclosures named Sugi, Momi, Kiri and Matsu stepped down from the main enclosure like a staircase to guard the side without a river. The site controlled the Nakasendo and Kiso highways and traffic on the river.^[1][7]
Can you see it?: Visible from outsideFree to view from outside the castle.

At a glance for visitors

Nearest station: 20 min walk from Meitetsu Inuyama Station, West Exit
Climb: Some climbing
Time neededEditors' estimate: The official estimate is 30–40 minutes. On weekends, holidays and in cherry blossom or autumn leaf season, the wait to enter the keep can exceed an hour (there is no reservation system).
Admission: Adults 1,000 yen, elementary and junior high students 200 yen, preschoolers free. Group discounts for 30+ (cash only). Free for holders of disability certificates plus one companion (two for wheelchair users). IC transit cards, credit cards and QR payments accepted.
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Entry may be limited when crowded.
Access: Partly open
Beyond the entrance gate, the main enclosure and keep require a ticket. Shoes come off in the keep, and large bags are not allowed inside (coin lockers are next to the ticket office, among other places). Pets are not admitted (contact the office in advance about assistance dogs). The Japan 100 Castles stamp is in the management office on the second floor of the entrance gate (inside the ticketed area). Castle seal cards (goshuin) are sold at the Inuyama Castle tourist information center at the foot of the hill.

Checked: 2026-10-03

View on map Open in Google Maps Inuyama Castle official site (Japanese)Inuyama Castle official site (English)

The story of this castle

Historical record

Why here?

Inuyama Castle sits on a small hill on the south bank of the Kiso River. Cliffs facing the river guard the north, and the site connected to the Nakasendo and Kiso highways while controlling trade along the river. That made it an important political and economic base throughout the Warring States period.^[1][7]

Tradition

Said to have been founded by Nobunaga's uncle

According to the official account, the castle was built around 1537 by Oda Nobuyasu, an uncle of the warlord Oda Nobunaga, who moved his base here from nearby Kinoshita Castle. However, the Agency for Cultural Affairs notes that no reliable document confirms that date.^[1][7]

Historical record

A prize for Japan's unifiers

When Nobuyasu's son Nobukiyo turned against Nobunaga, Nobunaga captured the castle and installed his retainer Ikeda Tsuneoki. In the 1584 Battle of Komaki and Nagakute, Ikeda crossed the Kiso River, took the castle and made it a base for Hashiba (later Toyotomi) Hideyoshi. Before the 1600 Battle of Sekigahara, Tokugawa forces seized it. The official site notes that Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu each held this castle on their way to ruling Japan.^[1][5]

Historical record

Two and a half centuries under the Naruse family

In 1617, Naruse Masanari, a senior retainer assigned by the shogunate to the Owari domain (han), was granted Inuyama Castle by the second shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada. The keep is said to have taken on its present look through changes made in his time. The Naruse family remained lords of the castle until the end of the shogunate.^[1][7]

Historical record

Only the keep survived, then an earthquake struck

When the domains were abolished in 1871, the castle passed to Aichi Prefecture and nearly every building except the keep was torn down. The 1891 Nobi Earthquake left the keep half destroyed. In 1895 the prefecture handed it to the former lords, the Naruse family, on condition that they repair it, and the family and the people of Inuyama raised donations to restore it.^[1][7]

Historical record

A National Treasure, now owned by a foundation

The keep was designated a National Treasure in 1935 and re-designated in 1952 under the Cultural Properties Protection Law. Dismantling repairs were completed in 1965. For many years the castle was privately owned, but in 2004 it passed to the Inuyama Castle Hakutei Bunko foundation. In 2018 the whole castle site was designated a National Historic Site.^[1][6][7]

People of this castle

Traditionally credited with founding the castle; uncle of Oda Nobunaga

Oda Nobuyasu

織田信康

?–1547

An uncle of Oda Nobunaga, said to have founded Inuyama Castle around 1537 by moving his base from Kinoshita Castle.

First Naruse lord of the castle

Naruse Masanari

成瀬正成

1567–1625

A warrior who served Tokugawa Ieyasu and later became a senior retainer assigned by the shogunate to the Owari domain. In 1617 the second shogun, Hidetada, granted him Inuyama Castle, beginning the Naruse family's rule there until the end of the shogunate.

Lord

Ishikawa clan

石川氏

Lord

Toyotomi clan

豊臣氏

Lord

Oda clan

織田氏

Lord

Ogasawara clan

小笠原氏

Timeline

1537
traditional date
Oda Nobuyasu is said to have built the castle^[1][7]
1584
Becomes Hideyoshi's base in the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute^[1]
1617
Naruse Masanari is granted the castle; his family holds it until the end of the shogunate^[1][7]
1871
After the abolition of the domains, most buildings except the keep are torn down^[1]
1891
The Nobi Earthquake half destroys the keep; it is later repaired^[1][7]
1952
The keep is re-designated a National Treasure (first designated in 1935)^[1][6]
2018
The castle site becomes a National Historic Site^[7][8]

Buildings and remains

The keep today

Original keep

An original wooden keep of the watchtower (boro) type, with three roof tiers, four floors and two basement levels. A National Treasure. The official site describes it as the oldest surviving keep in Japan.

The site today

The keep stands in the main enclosure on top of the castle hill, which is a ticketed area. The old castle town lies at the foot of the hill. No buildings other than the keep survive, but stone walls, dry moats and cut slopes remain.

Main buildings

OriginalNational Treasure

Keep (tenshu)

National Treasure since 1935 (re-designated 1952). Half destroyed in the 1891 earthquake and repaired; dismantling repairs completed in 1965.^[1][6]

Key facts

Type: Castle
Setting: Hilltop castle (hirayamajiro)built on a low hill rising from the plainEditorial article
Period: Medieval (c.1185–1570s), Early modern (1570s–1871)Editorial article
Keep (tenshu): Original keepthe keep (tenshu) itself survives from before 1868Editorial article
Built by: Oda NobuyasuJapan Castle Foundation
Built: 1537Japan Castle Foundation
Main lords: Ishikawa clan, Toyotomi clan, Oda clan, Ogasawara clanJapan Castle Foundation
Abandoned: 1871Wikipedia (ja)
Remains to see: Stone walls, Earthen ramparts, Turrets or turret bases, Gates, Moats, Baileys / enclosures (kuruwa), Keep base (tenshudai)Editorial article
Designation: National Treasure (Inuyama Castle keep) (1952); National Historic Site (Inuyama Castle ruins) (2018)Editorial article
Selection: Japan's 100 Fine Castles No. 38Japan Castle Foundation

Visiting

Access

Partly open

Beyond the entrance gate, the main enclosure and keep require a ticket. Shoes come off in the keep, and large bags are not allowed inside (coin lockers are next to the ticket office, among other places). Pets are not admitted (contact the office in advance about assistance dogs). The Japan 100 Castles stamp is in the management office on the second floor of the entrance gate (inside the ticketed area). Castle seal cards (goshuin) are sold at the Inuyama Castle tourist information center at the foot of the hill.

Address

65-2 Inuyama Kitakoken, Inuyama, Aichi 484-0082^[2][3]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Nearest stations and how to get there

Meitetsu Inuyama Station, West ExitMeitetsu Inuyama and Komaki lines, among others

about 20 min walk · Some climbing

From the West Exit, turn right at the Honmachi intersection and walk straight along Honmachi-dori, climbing the castle hill at the end. Inuyama Station is about 25 minutes from Meitetsu Nagoya Station by express.^[3][4]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Hours and admission

Inuyama Castle (keep and main enclosure)

Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Entry may be limited when crowded.
Closed: December 29–31
Admission: Adults 1,000 yen, elementary and junior high students 200 yen, preschoolers free. Group discounts for 30+ (cash only). Free for holders of disability certificates plus one companion (two for wheelchair users). IC transit cards, credit cards and QR payments accepted.^[2][4]

Checked: 2026-10-03

By car / parking

Paid municipal parking (Inuyama Castle Lots 1–3) and private coin parking at the foot of the hill. Lot 1 takes cars, tour buses and motorcycles. No parking discount for disability certificates. About 25 minutes from Komaki IC on the Meishin Expressway, among others.^[3][4][5]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Grounds opening hours

The ticketed main enclosure follows the keep's hours, 9:00–17:00.^[2]Checked: 2026-10-03

Time needed

The official estimate is 30–40 minutes. On weekends, holidays and in cherry blossom or autumn leaf season, the wait to enter the keep can exceed an hour (there is no reservation system).^[4]

Steps, slopes and footing

A sloping path climbs the castle hill to the main enclosure. Inside the keep, narrow, steep stairs run from the second basement to the fourth floor; wear clothes you can move in.^[2][4]

Wheelchairs and strollers

As a National Treasure, the keep has no elevator or lift, and it cannot be toured by wheelchair. There is no separate accessible route; the regular route from the parking lot is hard to manage alone in a wheelchair, so a companion is needed.^[4]Checked: 2026-10-03

Toilets and rest

Just inside the entrance gate on the right (ticketed area). There are no toilets or rest areas inside the keep.^[4]

English signs / audio guide

There is an official English website, and pamphlets in Japanese, English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese and Korean are available at the entrance gate.^[4][10]

Seasons

Cherry blossoms and the Inuyama Festival in spring, cormorant fishing and fireworks on the Kiso River in summer, autumn leaves, and sometimes snow in winter. The keep is lit up year-round from sunset to 22:00, except on lights-off days (the grounds are closed after hours).^[5][4]

Photography

Personal photography is allowed. Selfie sticks, monopods, tripods, live streaming and drones are prohibited.^[2]

Works, closures and restrictions

As of October 3, 2026, the official notices list no special closures or construction. Entry may be limited when crowded. Fire and smoking are banned on the whole castle hill, and climbing the stone walls is not allowed.^[5][2]Checked: 2026-10-03

Around the castle

Garden

Urakuen Garden (National Treasure tea house Joan)

A Japanese garden holding Joan, a tea house built in Kyoto by Oda Urakusai, Nobunaga's younger brother, and now a National Treasure. 8 minutes' walk from Meitetsu Inuyama-Yuen Station. Admission 1,500 yen for adults.^[11]

Checked: 2026-10-03

Editors' guide

An editorial guide based on sources and confirmed information — not a first-hand visit report.

Who will enjoy it

A top pick for anyone who wants to walk inside a genuine keep that predates the Edo period. It pairs easily with the Kiso River scenery and a stroll through the old castle town.

What makes it interesting

Enter through the basement, notice how the rooms change as you climb the steep stairs, and step out onto the top-floor balcony. Afterward, look up at the castle hill's cliff from the riverbank or a bridge to see how the river protects the castle.

Before you go

Shoes come off inside the keep and the stairs are narrow and steep, so wear clothes you can move in and shoes that slip on and off easily. Large bags are not allowed. Lines are long on weekends and in blossom and leaf seasons, so aim for opening time.

Ways to enjoy it

Walking from Meitetsu Inuyama Station through the castle town along Honmachi-dori shows you how town and castle fit together. At night, you can see the illuminated keep from the castle town or the far bank of the Kiso River.

Photos

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Open questions

The 1537 founding date is traditional; the Agency for Cultural Affairs says no reliable document confirms it.
The claim that it is Japan's oldest surviving keep comes from the official site. Dates for the keep's construction vary; the Agency for Cultural Affairs' database gives the Momoyama period (1601). Other castles also claim great age, and the ranking is not settled.
That the Naruse family remodeled the keep into its present form, including the third-floor karahafu gables and fourth-floor lookout, is based on tradition.

Sources

1
犬山城について(歴史・天守・見どころ・城郭構造)国宝犬山城(犬山城管理事務所)officialChecked: 2026-10-03
2
観覧案内国宝犬山城(犬山城管理事務所)officialChecked: 2026-10-03
3
交通案内国宝犬山城(犬山城管理事務所)officialChecked: 2026-10-03
4
よくあるご質問国宝犬山城(犬山城管理事務所)officialChecked: 2026-10-03
5
国宝犬山城トップページ国宝犬山城(犬山城管理事務所)officialChecked: 2026-10-03
6
犬山城天守文化遺産オンライン(文化庁)heritageChecked: 2026-10-03
7
犬山城跡文化遺産オンライン(文化庁)heritageChecked: 2026-10-03
8
はじめての犬山(犬山歴史年表)犬山観光ナビ(犬山市観光協会)tourismChecked: 2026-10-03
9
日本100名城一覧公益財団法人日本城郭協会jokakuChecked: 2026-10-03
10
Inuyama Castle, National Treasure (English)国宝犬山城officialChecked: 2026-10-03
11
日本庭園有楽苑犬山観光ナビ(犬山市観光協会)tourismChecked: 2026-10-03
12
List of Japan's 100 Fine Castles and the Next 100公益財団法人日本城郭協会jokakuChecked: 2026-10-03
13
Wikipedia「犬山城」Wikipedia日本語版wikipediaChecked: 2026-10-03
14
Wikidata Q1155484WikidatawikidataChecked: 2026-10-03