Nagoya Castle & Inuyama Castle

Nagoya city & Inuyama city

Aichi’s castles remain as a testament to Sengoku-era warlords.

It is said that in the past there were over 25,000 castles in Japan, but nowadays Japan is home to only 12 castles with towers. Among them, Japan’s three greatest castles are said to be Kumamoto Castle, Himeji Castle, and Nagoya Castle. The old Japanese expression Nabari Nagoya wa shirode motsu means "The city of Nagoya in Nabari is sustained by Nagoya Castle." Nagoya Castle has been a symbol of the city since ancient times.

A castle built as the final strategic move by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Tokugawa Ieyasu achieved the unification of Japan, pulling the country through the warring Sengoku period. He was the architect of the Edo era, which enjoyed consistent government and political stability for 265 years. Nagoya Castle was built by Ieyasu for his ninth son. The castle is famous for the golden shachihoko mounted at both ends of the roof—fanciful animals with a fish’s body and a tiger’s head. Aside from this, the castle exhibits important cultural properties such as wall paintings and historical documents, and has a moat inhabited by a couple of deer, as well as the many attractions of the Ninomaru Gardens, including cherry blossoms in spring and beautiful leaves in fall.

Inuyama Castle has Japan’s oldest castle tower.

The pride of Aichi, Inuyama Castle has also been designated as a national treasure. Constructed in 1537, the castle is Japan's oldest with an existing castle tower. The castle dominates the landscape atop a hilltop on the Kisogawa River. Beautiful in appearance, Inuyama Castle is said to be especially popular among castle aficionados. Visitors should definitely take in the view from the castle tower. The view of the stunning castle town extending across the Kisogawa River will make you feel like the lord of all this land. Although not flashy, the charm of Inuyama Castle lies in the details of its clean and beautiful appearance. Once you appreciate this charm, you’re on your way to becoming a fine castle connoisseur.

For reference

Nagoya Castle 

Address

1-1 Honmaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi , Aichi-ken 
Telephone

052-231-1700 
Opening hours

9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. (last admission 4:00 P.M.)  
Regular days of closure

 New Year period 
Prices

Adults 500 yen, children 100 yen
Website

http://www.nagoyajo.city.nagoya.jp/13_english/index.html

Inuyama Castle 

Address

65-2 Inuyama Kitakoken, Inuyama-shi, Aichi-ken
 Phone

0568-61-1711 (Inuyama Castle Management Office) 
Opening hours

9 am to 5 pm (last admission 4:30 pm) 
Regular days of closure

New Year period
Prices

 Adults 550 yen, children 110 yen 
Website

http://inuyama-castle.jp/

Access

Chubu Centrair International Airport is a 1-hour flight from Haneda Airport.

Chubu Centrair International Airport is a 100-minute flight from Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport.

Chubu Centrair International Airport is a 75-minute flight from Sendai Airport.

Chubu Centrair International Airport is a 65-minute flight from Matsuyama Airport.

Nagoya Castle

Kanayama Station is 25 minutes via the Meitetsu railway line from Central Japan International Airport Station.
Shiyakusho Station is 10 minutes by subway from Kanayama Station.
Nagoya Castle is a 5-minute walk from Shiyakusho Station.

Inuyama Castle 

Inuyama Station is 55 minutes via the Meitetsu railway line from Central Japan International Airport Station. 
Inuyama Castle is a 15-minute walk from Inuyama Station.