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Inuyama City is located at the northern end of Aichi Prefecture. In the Edo period (1603-1867), the city flourished as the castle town of Inuyama Castle. It is easily accessible by train from Nagoya Station, making it a popular day trip destination in the Tokai area.
In this issue, we will introduce a selection of recommended spots in the Inuyama area！
How to Get to Inuyama?
From Nagoya Station, Inuyama Station is about 25 minutes away by Meitetsu Rapid Express and Limited Express. The castle town is spread out within a 20-minute walking distance from Inuyama Station, making it an ideal spot for a day trip from Nagoya!
Since parking is limited in the Inuyama area, use public transportation. The “Inuyama Castle Town Ticket” is a great deal if you want to visit Inuyama Castle and eat at the castle town!
Recommended Spots in Inuyama
Around the World in 2 Hours? Inuyama “Little World”
“The Little World Museum of Man,” located in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture, is an open-air theme park with buildings from 23 countries and regions around the world. Ethnic cultures including clothing, food, and housing from around the world are introduced here.
You may have a strong image of gourmet food events and ethnic costume experiences, but that is not all. The attraction of the Little World is the high quality of the buildings. Every building has been faithfully reproduced by transporting columns and stone walls from the local area, using local materials, and conducting interviews in the area.
You will feel as if you have actually visited the country.
【The Little World Museum of Man】
Address : 90-48, Imai Narusawa, Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture
Phone number : 0568-62-5611
“Meiji-Mura,” an Open-Air Museum where Masterpieces of Architecture Have Been Relocated and Preserved
“Meiji-Mura“ is located in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture.
It is an open-air museum where famous buildings mainly from the Meiji Era (1868-1912), Taisho Era (1912-1926), and early Showa Era (1926-1989) have been relocated and preserved. The village is lined with buildings that make you feel as if you have stepped back in time to the Meiji Era.
Visitors can experience the Meiji Era while having fun at the stylish costume museum, retro gourmet restaurants, and steam locomotive rides!
【Meiji-Mura】
Address : 1 Uchiyama, Inuyama-city, Aichi, Japan
Open Hours: Please check the official website.
Closed : Please check the official website.
Perfect for Amusement Park Debuts! “Japan Monkey Park”
“Japan Monkey Park “is an amusement park located in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture.
There are more than 35 attractions for families to enjoy, from thrilling highway coasters that take you through the mountains to kids’ attractions that small children can enjoy! With plenty of rest spots and dining options, this amusement park is the perfect place for young children to make their amusement park debut.
There are also a variety of seasonal events, and the summer-only outdoor leisure pool “Water Paradise Momple” is especially popular!
【Japan Monkey Park】
Address ：26 Kanrin, Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture
Open Hours ： 10:00-17:00 (It varies depending on the season and day of the week)
Closed ：Non-scheduled holidays (please check the official website)
Parking ：1,200 cars
“National Treasure Inuyama Castle,” the Oldest Wooden Castle Tower in Japan
Many wooden materials from the time of the castle’s construction remain in the castle.
There is a corridor on the top floor of the castle tower that offers a spectacular view. You will feel like a lord!
Speaking of Inuyama, we are talking about the “National Treasure Inuyama Castle“
Inuyama Castle was built in 1541(Tenmon 6), the year of Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s birth, by Nobuyasu Oda, an uncle of Nobunaga Oda, and is the oldest existing wooden castle tower in Japan. Currently, only five castles are designated as national treasures: Matsumoto Castle, Himeji Castle, Hikone Castle, Matsue Castle, and Inuyama Castle.
It is also known as the only castle in Japan that was privately owned.
【National Treasure Inuyama Castle】
Address: 65-2, Inuyama Kitakoken, Inuyama City
Phone number ：0568-61-1711
Open Hours: 9:00 – 17:00 (admission until 16:30)
Closed: December 29 – December 31＜Fees＞
【Adults】550 yen
【Elementary & Junior High School Students】110 yen
If you want to tour around Inuyama, the “Inuyama Castle Town Circuit Pass” is a great deal! The regular price (high school students and older) of 950 yen is reduced to a set price of 760 yen. The ticket includes Inuyama Castle, Castle and Town Museum, IMASEN Inuyama Karakuri Museum, and Dondenkan.
▼Click here for other set tickets.
https://inuyama-castle.jp/fees
“The Castle and Town Museum (Shiro-to-Machi Museum),” where You Can Learn about the History and Culture of Inuyama
Exhibits of historical materials related to Inuyama and special exhibitions are held several times a year.
Huge diorama of an Edo period castle town
To learn about the history and culture of Inuyama, visit “The Castle and Town Museum (Shiro-to-Machi Museum).“
The museum introduces the history and culture of Inuyama, focusing on the Edo period when the samurai and merchant cultures flourished. Inuyama is one of the few towns in Japan where the castle and castle town remain almost exactly as they were in the Edo period.
The museum also exhibits many old documents and arts and crafts that belonged to Inuyama Castle and the Naruse family, the former lords of Inuyama Castle.
At the adjacent “IMASEN Inuyama Karakuri Museum,” visitors can learn about the Dashi Karakuri dolls that used to be on the Inuyama Festival’s Yama floats. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, there are demonstrations of Karakuri dolls! (Admission is free with an admission ticket to the Castle and Town Museum.)
【The Castle and Town Museum】
Address ：8 Kitakoken, Oaza Inuyama, Inuyama City
Telephone number ：0568-62-4802
Open Hours ： 9:00 – 17:00 (admission until 16:30)
Closed: December 29 – December 31＜Fees＞
Adults 300 yen（Free for junior high school students and younger）
“Dondenkan,” where You Can See the Powerful Yama Floats
“The Inuyama Festival,” designated by the national government as an important intangible folk cultural property, is held every year on the first Saturday and Sunday of April.
At “Dondenkan,” four Yama floats (yama = dashi) actually used in the Inuyama Festival are on display. To allow visitors to experience the atmosphere of the festival, the day of the festival is shortened to 6 minutes with light and sound effects. The 8-meter-high Yama float is very impressive!
In addition, various other exhibits related to the Inuyama Festival, such as festival costumes and models, are introduced.
【Dondenkan】
Address ：62 Higashikoken, Oaza Inuyama, Inuyama City
Telephone number ：0568-65-1728
Open Hours ： 9:00 – 17:00 (admission until 16:30)
Closed: December 29 – December 31＜Fees＞
Adults 100 yen（Free for junior high school students and younger）
“Sanko Inari Shrine,” the Guardian Deity of the Naruse Family, Lords of Inuyama Castle
It is said to have the same benefits as other Inari shrines throughout Japan, such as family safety, prosperous business, purification of land and houses, traffic safety, conjugal harmony, and marriage.
Sanko Inari Shrine’s Himeki Shrine is said to bring good luck in marriage, family happiness, and conjugal harmony.
Sanko Inari Shrine has been revered as the guardian of Inuyama Castle by the Naruse family, who have held the castle for generations since the Edo period. Located just below Inuyama Castle, the shrine is well known to the local Inuyama community.
According to legend, the shrine was built in 1586 on Sankouji Mountain within Inuyama Castle, and was moved to its current location in October 1964.
The Sanko Inari Shrine is also famous for the “heart ema” (votive tablet) at the Himeki Shrine, a shrine on the grounds of the Sanko Inari Shrine!
【Sanko Inari Shrine】
Address: 41-1 Inuyama Kitakoken, Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture
Phone number: 0568-61-0702
”Haritsuna Shrine,” One of the Five Owari Shrines
Located next to “Sanko Inari Shrine” is “Haritsuna Shrine“.
Haritsuna Shrine is said to be blessed with good fortune for safe delivery and prolonged life, since Nobuyasu Oda, uncle of Nobunaga Oda and builder of Inuyama Castle, dedicated a pair of hand-carved guardian dogs to pray for safe delivery, prolonged life, and longevity. It is said that it is good to pray for safe delivery on the day of the dog.
The Inuyama Festival, famous for its gorgeous Yama floats, is a springtime tradition in Inuyama, and is held at Haritsuna Shrine.
【Haritsuna Shrine】
Address ：65-1, Kitakoken, Inuyama Aza, Inuyama City Oaza , Aichi, Japan
Telephone number : 0568-61-0180
Eating in the Castle Town!
Eating and walking is something we cannot miss in the castle town of Inuyama!
In the castle town from Inuyama Station to Inuyama Castle, you can enjoy a variety of gourmet food.
The Deepest Spot in Inuyama! ? “Momotaro Shrine” to Visit with Shoun Asano’s Works
“Momotaro,” one of Japan’s folktales, is famous in Okayama Prefecture, but in fact, “Momotaro Shrine,” which tells the legend of Momotaro, is also located in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture.
Sentaku-Iwa (washing rocks) at which Momotaro’s grandmother washed her clothes, and a peach-shaped torii gate that is unique in Japan, are just a few examples of the shrine’s features. The temple grounds are popular as a B-grade spot, with a concrete statue created by Nagoya-based concrete sculptor Shoun Asano and a treasure house.
In the”Treasure House,” Momotaro goods can be viewed! (Admission: 200 yen for adults, 100 yen for children)
【Momotaro Shrine】
Address: 853 Ohira, Kurisu, Inuyama, Aichi, 484-0002, Japan
From national treasures to theme parks, Inuyama has plenty of attractions. It is only a 25-minute train ride from Nagoya, so please visit as a one-day excursion spot.
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