Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

WHAT YOU VISIT
Inuyama Castle
Standing on top of a hill and surrounded by hundreds of beautiful cherry trees sits the picturesque Inuyama Castle. Erected in 1537, the castle has remained unchanged through the centuries. Designated a National Treasure, its donjon is the oldest among the existing castles in Japan. Its stone walls stand just five meters in height (13 feet) and the tower stands 19 meters (62 feet) high. Inside, you'll discover displays of remarkable samurai armor, beautiful folding screens and impressive documents from the town's historical past. Take a walk up to the top floor and you'll be rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the entire region followed by free time to explore the castle town.

Karakuri Exhibition Room
Long before everyone's fascination with robots, karakuri, or mechanical puppets, captured people's imagination. The Karakuri Exhibition Pavilion pays tribute to this art form, which was made popular in the 18th century. Each doll used an intricate system of cogwheels, springs, rods, and pulleys that allowed them to perform lifelike movements such as dancing, doing a handstand, donning a mask, swinging a hammer, and opening a fan.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
Inuyama means "dog mountain" and when you arrive at the castle, you'll find several statues of dogs around the castle's entrance believed to protect those who stroll the castle's serene grounds. As you walk along one of the paths lined with tori gates you'll see prayer plaques called "ema." Visitors write their prayer on each plaque and places it near a gate. If their wish comes true, they must return to give thanks.

WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY
As you make your way into Inuyama, it may be interesting to know that an army of 120,000 samurai used Inuyama Castle during the 1584 Battle of Komaki Nagakute against Tokugawa Leyasu.