The Inuyama Castle keep is one of five deemed national treasures in Japan. It’s especially famous for remaining today as the oldest watchtower-style keep in Japan. It’s said it was built in 1537 by Oda Nobuyasu, the father of Oda Nobunaga. It’s especially protected from the rear as it stands on top of a little hill backed by the Kiso River, making it near impenetrable from behind. It stands as part of the castle town below, serving once as an important site for trade, politics and as a vital key for the economy.
Inuyama Castle’s position on the border of the former Owari and Mino provinces caused a number of figures to attack and reclaim power over it during the warring states period, passing hands from even Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. Finally, Masanari Naruse, and finally an elder of the Owari Clan. As a result, many know this as the only castle in Japan to be owned by a single person, however it was gifted to a managing foundation in Inuyama City in 2004.
The upper deck of the castle keep is surrounded by a veranda that offers wide views of the Kiso River, Nobi Plain, Mt. Ontake, Gifu Castle and even as far as the area around downtown Nagoya Station when the weather is clear. While it looks like only three, this four-storey castle also has two basement floors, the second of which still boasts the original wood used when it was built. You can feel this history yourself while walking around the castle, as the wood creaks and greets you with natural gaps along the floor panels. In addition to the “rock drops” used in the rock walls to ward off intruders, there are a total of 12 peach tiles along the roof said to ward off evil.
Highlights
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One of five castles in Japan deemed a National Treasure.
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The watchtower from the top offers swooping, breathtaking views.
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Step into history in the wooden keep of Japan’s oldest castle.
