The historic Inuyama Castle Town, leading to the national treasure Inuyama Castle, is a popular tourist spot just 30 minutes by train from Nagoya. The streets lined with traditional wooden townhouses are filled with souvenir shops, cafes, and food stalls, always bustling with tourists.
What is Inuyama Castle Town?
Inuyama Castle Town is a historic area that has existed since the Edo period, located at the foot of Inuyama Castle. It offers a variety of street food such as Hida beef sushi and Gohei mochi, along with many retro cafes and shops converted from old townhouses, making it enjoyable just to stroll around.
The atmosphere is reminiscent of old post towns like Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku along the Nakasendo route. However, Inuyama Castle Town is easily accessible from Nagoya by train, making it perfect for a day trip.
Access to Inuyama Castle Town
The best way to access Inuyama Castle Town is by Meitetsu train. It takes about 30 minutes from Meitetsu Nagoya Station to Inuyama Station, with a fare of 630 yen.
From Meitetsu Nagoya Station, take the "Inuyama Line." Trains heading to "Inuyama," "Inuyama Yuen," or "Shin Unuma" will take you directly to Inuyama Station without transfers. All types of trains—express, rapid, and local—stop here, so just board any train that comes.
Once you arrive at Inuyama Station, exit from the west gate and walk straight for about 10 minutes to reach Honmachi Street. As you walk along the path, you will see Inuyama Castle, so you won't get lost.
Time Required for Strolling
The time needed to explore Inuyama Castle Town varies based on your sightseeing style.
Street food only: 1-2 hours
Castle Town + Inuyama Castle + Shrine: 2-3 hours
On weekends, there may be a wait of 30-40 minutes at Inuyama Castle, so it's recommended to visit with some extra time.
Walking Along Honmachi Street
The main street of Inuyama Castle Town is "Honmachi Street." This street, about 600 meters long, is lined with historical buildings from the Edo to Showa periods, bustling with many tourists.
Along the street, you can enjoy the charming scenery of traditional wooden townhouses.
Street Food
Inuyama is known as the "town of skewers," with a rich variety of skewer dishes. Its roots lie in the local dish "dengaku," which involves skewering tofu and dipping it in miso, and now various skewer dishes are beloved local delicacies.
Hida Beef Sushi
One of the most popular dishes we tried was sushi made with A5-ranked Hida beef. There are several shops in the castle town, such as "Nikuhei" and "Inuyama Gyutaro," where you can enjoy taste comparisons.
Each order is freshly made on the spot, allowing you to savor the deliciousness of freshly prepared sushi. The lightly seared Hida beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Gohei Mochi
"Yamada Gohei Mochi" is a renowned shop in Inuyama Castle Town. Established in 1893 (Meiji 26), the building is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, and there is often a line of people waiting for freshly grilled mochi.
All Gohei mochi is handmade, and the special sauce made with sesame, walnuts, and peanuts is exquisite. The dumpling shape is designed for the convenience of tourists enjoying street food.
Other Popular Delicacies
"Koi Komachi Dango" is a cute Japanese sweet with colorful toppings that is popular on social media.
When enjoying street food, it's polite to avoid "walking while eating" and instead use the eat-in spaces or benches provided by the shops.
Attractions
In the castle town, there are various attractions, including museums related to the Inuyama Festival, facilities displaying karakuri (mechanical puppets), and unique Jizo statues.
Oiboke Kuzu Jizo
The "Oiboke Kuzu Jizo" along Honmachi Street is a unique Jizo statue that prays for "not becoming senile even in old age." Two Jizo statues are enshrined in a small vermillion shrine, attracting locals and tourists who wish for health and longevity.
Karakuri Museum (IMASEN Inuyama Karakuri Museum)
This facility displays karakuri puppets that ride on the festival floats of the Inuyama Festival. Karakuri puppets are traditional mechanical dolls that move using strings and springs. You can see the craftsmanship that has continued since the Edo period up close.
Daily demonstrations of the karakuri puppets are held, showcasing the puppets carrying teacups or performing acrobatics. The explanations are only in Japanese, but just watching the moving puppets is enjoyable.
Admission Fee: 300 yen (shared with the Castle and Town Museum)
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM)
Castle and Town Museum
This facility exhibits a large diorama recreating the castle town of the Edo period and historical materials. You can learn about the history of Inuyama Castle and the castle town.
Admission Fee: 300 yen (shared with the Karakuri Museum)
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM)
Donden Hall
This hall features four festival floats from the Inuyama Festival, registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. You can see the floats, which are 8 meters tall and weigh over 3 tons, up close. The exhibits are only in Japanese, but you can feel the atmosphere of Japanese festivals.
Admission Fee: 100 yen
Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM)
Two Shrines on the Way to Inuyama Castle
On the way to Inuyama Castle, there are two shrines.
Sanko Inari Shrine
This shrine is popular for its path lined with red torii gates and pink heart-shaped ema (votive tablets). It is said to bring good fortune in love, attracting many women and couples. It is also recommended to pray for financial luck at the "money washing" spot.
Haritsuna Shrine
Located at the foot of the castle mountain, Haritsuna Shrine is a historic shrine counted among the Owari Five Shrines. It is believed to bring blessings for safe childbirth, childbearing, and longevity.
Inuyama Castle
After passing through the castle town and the shrines, you will arrive at the national treasure Inuyama Castle. Built in 1537, it is the oldest wooden castle keep in Japan, and from the corridor on the top floor, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the majestic Kiso River and Mount Ontake.
