Inuyama Castle is one of Japan's oldest wooden castles, built about 440 years ago. Scientific research indicates it is likely the oldest existing tenshu (main keep). It takes about 30 minutes by train from Nagoya to Inuyama Station, and from there, a 20-minute walk through the castle town lined with shops leads you to the tenshu perched on a small hill. The top floor of the tenshu features a balcony that offers stunning views.
Why Inuyama Castle is Special
Inuyama Castle is designated as a "National Treasure" of Japan. National Treasures are buildings or artworks deemed "especially important and worthy of protection" by the Japanese government. While there are hundreds of castles in Japan, only five tenshu have this designation. Inuyama Castle is one of those precious five.
Authentic Wooden Architecture
Many Japanese castles were destroyed by wars or fires and later rebuilt with concrete. However, Inuyama Castle is different. The authentic wooden structure built about 500 years ago still stands today. Only 12 castles in Japan have preserved such "real" tenshu.
Wood from 440 Years Ago Still in Use
In 2021, researchers from Nagoya Institute of Technology and Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties discovered through dendrochronology that the wood used in Inuyama Castle was cut between 1585 and 1588. This means the pillars and floors you touch have existed for about 440 years. It's a rare experience to enter such an ancient wooden structure.
The Beautiful Nickname "Hakuteijō"
Inuyama Castle is also known as "Hakuteijō" (White Emperor Castle). The name comes from the resemblance of the white castle standing on the riverside hill to a famous castle in China.
Highlights of the Tenshu
The tenshu of Inuyama Castle has four floors and stands about 24 meters tall. Built on a small hill, the tenshu gradually appears larger as you climb the stairs, building excitement as you approach the castle.
Main Keep Plaza and Autumn Foliage
The Main Keep Plaza at the foot of the tenshu is a relaxing spot where you can enjoy seasonal scenery. During our visit in autumn, the colorful foliage beautifully adorned the tenshu. The plaza features red benches for resting while gazing up at the castle.
In spring, around 400 cherry trees bloom around the castle hill, and in autumn, the area is enveloped in vibrant foliage. Enjoying the seasonal views while looking up at the tenshu is one of Inuyama Castle's charms.
Step Out onto the Top Floor Balcony
The main attraction of Inuyama Castle is the balcony (mawari-en) on the top floor. You can walk around the outside and enjoy 360-degree views. Rivers, mountains, cityscapes... on clear days, you can see distant mountains, which is fantastic. The only castles in Japan with such a balcony are Inuyama Castle and Kochi Castle, making it a very rare experience.
Note: The stairs inside the tenshu are very steep, almost like a ladder. Please avoid skirts and sandals, and come in comfortable clothing and shoes. There is no elevator.
Admission Fees and Hours
The admission fees and hours for Inuyama Castle are as follows:
Admission Fees (as of 2025)
Adults: 550 yen
Elementary and Junior High Students: 110 yen
Preschoolers: Free
New fees starting March 2026: Adults 1,000 yen, Elementary and Junior High Students 200 yen. This increase is for disaster prevention renovations and cultural property protection.
Discount Information
Inuyama Castle Town Ticket: A set ticket that includes a Meitetsu train ticket and admission is available at a discount. For more details, please see the article below.
Hours of Operation
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)
Closed: December 29 - 31
During cherry blossom season and Golden Week, hours may be extended to 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM.
Credit cards are accepted at the ticket counter, so you can feel secure even if you don't have cash.
Brochures for Inuyama Castle are available at the entrance, including multilingual options in English, Chinese, and Korean.
Crowd Conditions and Tips
Inuyama Castle is a popular tourist spot, so it can get crowded depending on the time of year and day. Here are some tips for a comfortable visit.
Busy Times
Weekends and Holidays
Cherry Blossom Season (Late March - Early April)
Autumn Foliage Season (November)
Golden Week and Silver Week
On busy days, entry to the tenshu may require a wait of 1-2 hours, and during holidays, it can exceed 3 hours.
Less Crowded Times
The best time is right after opening at 9 AM. After 10 AM, it starts to get crowded, with peak congestion between 12 PM and 3 PM. On weekdays, visits are relatively smooth.
Wait times can be checked in real-time on the official Inuyama Castle website. There is no reservation system, so during busy times, you will have to wait at the tenshu entrance.
Estimated Visit Duration
Here is an estimate of the time required to visit Inuyama Castle.
Inuyama Castle only: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Inuyama Castle + Castle Town: 2 to 3 hours
Inuyama Castle + Castle Town + Surrounding Spots: Half a day to a full day
During busy times, please factor in wait times in your plans. If you want to enjoy food stalls in the castle town, plan for 3-4 hours.
Access Information
Accessing Inuyama Castle by train is convenient. From Nagoya Station, take the Meitetsu Inuyama Line for about 25 minutes (using the Limited Express or Myu Sky) to Inuyama Station. It’s a 20-minute walk from Inuyama Station to the castle.
Walk from Inuyama Station through the Castle Town
The route from the west exit of Inuyama Station takes about 20 minutes. After exiting the station, turn right at the Honmachi intersection and proceed straight along "Honmachi Street." Enjoy the charming streets of the castle town that retain the atmosphere of the Edo period, stopping by food stalls and cafes on your way to the castle.
The path is flat and easy to navigate, so there's no worry of getting lost. Along the way, you will see the red torii gate of Sanko Inari Shrine, which marks the entrance to Inuyama Castle.
Taxi
It's about a 5-minute taxi ride from the west exit of Inuyama Station. Taxis are convenient for those with a lot of luggage or mobility concerns.
Inuyama Castle Basic Information
Official Name: National Treasure Inuyama Castle
Address: 65-2 Inuyama Kitakoken, Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture
Phone Number: 0568-61-1711
Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM)
Closed: December 29 - 31
Admission Fee: 550 yen for adults (1,000 yen starting March 2026)
Official Website: Inuyama Castle
