Gifu Castle | Review by hdwf2002

Located in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, it can be reached in about 30 minutes from Meitetsu Nagoya Station. Although it may not be a top priority when visiting Nagoya, Okazaki City is historically significant as the birthplace of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo period, and Okazaki Castle itself has important historical value. It is about a 15-minute walk from Higashi Okazaki Station. Along the way, you will pass Sugo Shrine, Okazaki Park, and Ryujin Shrine, while Okazaki Castle is located inside Okazaki Park. Although the grounds are not very large, you can see the castle keep from Tonobashi Bridge over the Oto River. Okazaki Castle has 3 stories and 5 floors, and from the top you can look out over the Higashi Okazaki area. There aren't many visitors inside, so you can take your time exploring. After visiting Okazaki Castle, you can return to the area near the station for some food and finish up this half-day trip. If you visit Nagoya, remember that you can also stop by this historic site just 30 minutes away.

Atsuta Jingu, one of Japan’s three major shrines, enshrines the Kusanagi Sword, one of the three sacred swords. The shrine grounds are spacious and quiet, surrounded by ancient camphor trees. Many people make sure to visit when they come to Nagoya, and it is a place filled with energy. I recommend visiting during the Atsuta Festival, when the shrine suddenly comes alive with food stalls, taiko drumming, sumo and kendo performances, and locals and tourists dressed in yukata. Of course, there are also lantern floats, and at night, dedicated fireworks light up the sky. Come in early June to experience the prelude to summer, as Atsuta Jingu transforms from solemn and quiet into a lively festival feast. It is well worth visiting at this time and is guaranteed to be worth your while, offering a different kind of shrine visit.

If you're traveling to Nagoya, you definitely shouldn't miss a day trip to Inuyama Castle. Inuyama Castle is the oldest of Japan's 12 surviving original castle keeps. Although it isn't as imposing as Himeji Castle or Matsumoto Castle, looking up at the keep from the foot of the mountain gives you a better sense of its commanding position and how difficult it would have been to conquer, as well as its importance at the time. To visit the keep, you first have to tackle an 85-degree wooden staircase. From the top floor, you can see the Kiso River and enjoy a wide-open view. Of course, the most important thing is to walk all the way around the outside. When you step onto the wooden walkway, you can hear the interlocking wood creak. The railing isn't very high, so it's a little nerve-racking, but you can fully experience the history of this old castle keep, almost as if you've traveled back in time. After your visit, you can also head to Inuyama Castle Town for local food, a kimono experience, and the atmosphere of the old streets. I recommend getting off at Inuyama-Yuen Station and departing from Inuyama Station on the way back. This lets you avoid the crowds and experience a different route.