If you’re staying in Nagoya and on the lookout for an ideal little escape from the hustle and bustle of Japans bigger cities, let me counsel an Inuyama day journey. It’s a captivating, history-packed city only a brief practice trip from Nagoya metropolis. It’s received all the things you need in a day journey: an historical samurai-era fortress, picture-perfect conventional streets lined with outlets, and, after all, mouthwatering native snacks (as a result of let’s be actual, meals is at all times a giant a part of the expertise once you’re travelling in Japan).
Whether you’re a historical past buff, a foodie, or simply somebody who loves discovering hidden gems, Inuyama goes to be a sensible choice.
But that’s not all. Beyond the well-known Inuyama Castle – considered one of Japans few remaining authentic castles – this city has quirky shrines, scenic river views and considered one of Japans most celebrated teahouses. Plus, should you time it proper, you would possibly catch considered one of Inuyama’s epic festivals, the place big floats and lanterns mild up the streets. So seize your digicam, put on comfortable footwear, and prepare for a fun-filled day in considered one of Japan’s much less touristed locations.
Interested in Japan’s castles from the feudal interval? You’ll additionally need to think about these different nice castles cities in Japan, simply click on the hyperlink for customer data on Himeiji, Hikone, Osaka, and Okayama .
How to get to Inuyama
By Train
As a customer in Japan the practice is normally going to be the best choice for getting round between cities and cities. If you might be staying in Nagoya metropolis, the closest main metropolis to Inuyama, then you’ll catch the native Meitetsu Line at Nagoya station to Inuyama Station or Inuyamayuen station (it’s lower than half-hour to both). As this journey utilises native trains it’s a very reasonably priced day journey.
Both stations are an identical distance from Inuyama Castle, the principle attration and the stroll to and from both takes you previous different should see points of interest. We counsel doing as we did and arriving at one station and exploring through a route that features the foremost websites then leaving from the opposite station, that method you received’t miss something.
Pro Tip: Nagoya is on the principle practice line between Tokyo and Osaka so you may do that as a barely longer day journey from both Osaka or Kyoto. Alternatively if you’re utilizing the bullet practice on the Tokaido line simply depart your suitcase in a baggage locker and proceed the day journey out to Inuyama returning to accumulate your baggage and proceed your journey later within the day.
Must-See Attractions
Inuyama Castle
Inuyama fortress is considered one of solely 12 ‘authentic’ castles in Japan which means that the fortress hold because it stood through the years of Japans warring interval remains to be intact. We’ve visited a couple of of those over time together with Himeji Castle, Hikone Castle and Matsumoto Castle and they’re all particular in their very own method making it laborious to decide on a favorite between them. You can really feel the historical past as you discover the city and grounds then climb in stockinged ft up a number of tales of steep picket staircases and flooring worn clean by centuries of footsteps.
Inuyama Castle has survived the feudal period, WWII and a number of pure disasters intact. It was constructed in 1537 so it really the oldest picket hold to have survived and this alone would justify its recognition as a National Treasure but it surely’s additionally very prettily located as a hilltop fortress with epic views up and down the Kiso river.
Japans historical past of this time encompasses a trio of well-known warlords who are actually recognised as the three nice unifiers of Japan, they have been Oda Nobunaga, who tried to unify the warring nation, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who succeeded in unifying it, and Tokukagawa Ieyasu, who constructed an period of peace. Inuyama Castles defences have been examined by Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s armies and vassals of all three occupied the fortress at varied instances so its place in Japans historical past is critical.
Inuyama Jokamachi
Postcard excellent previous streets of picket buildings main from city to the fortress are full of museums, small outlets, eating places and meals stalls. Allow loads of time to make your method from Inuyama station down the Jokamachi taking within the surroundings and vista of the fortress looming forward of you on the hillside.
Sanko Inari Shrine
You could already be acquainted with the sight of tunnels of tori gates in Japan such because the well-known Fushimi Inari in Kyoto or Hie Jinga in Tokyo. You’ll additionally discover these at Sanko Inari Shrine adjoining to Inuyama Castle.
Sanko Inari Jinja (Shinto) Shrine is often known as Sankoji Temple and you’ll stroll by the shrines tori gates on the way in which to the fortress. This shine is thought for locating love, making needs for household concord and as an Inari shrine additionally it is a shrine for monetary/business prosperity.
The ema boards that you simply write your needs on and place on the shrine are coronary heart formed and and there are sometimes younger girls visiting, laughing collectively and having fun with the shrine which creates a enjoyable and light-weight hearted vibe.
The shrine is central to Inuyama’s summer time pageant the place pink paper lanterns are positioned all through the shrine and lantern lit boats float alongside the river under.
Kiso River
The glowing water and circulation of the Kiso River may be loved as sweeping views from the highest flooring of the fortress and varied spots within the fortress grounds. There can also be a paved strolling path alongside the river entrance.
If you might be planning to depart Inuyama by Inuyamayuen Station or go to any of the points of interest to the east of the fortress together with Urakuen backyard and teahouse, Daishoji Temple or watch the cormorant fishing on the river then the river stroll is well included in your day.
Ukai or cormorant fishing is a standard historic summer time exercise on rivers round Japan and Inuyama is among the locations the place you’ll be able to watch it happening. I’ll point out it right here as many excursions and guides record it as a should see exercise through the sizzling summer time months. It will likely be of curiosity to some guests as it’s a conventional fishing apply with cultural significance nevertheless I’ll additionally present a warning that others, together with ourselves, could select to easily keep away from the show attributable to using captive wild cormorants to catch the fish and the strategy used to stopping them swallowing the catch.
Urakuen Garden
Just to the east and under Inuyama Castle is Urakuen Garden which incorporates the well-known Jo An tea home. It’s a couple of 10 minute stroll from right here to Inuyamayuen station if you’re doing a loop. The Japanese backyard is fairly in all seasons however that is actually one for those who have a selected curiosity in its historical past or the normal teahouses expertise.
Jo-An teahouse was initially inbuilt Kyoto in 1618 as a part of Kennin-ji Temple by Oda Uraku a disciple of Japans from influential tea grasp Sen no Rikyu. He can also be the youthful brother of the warlord Oda Nobunaga who options closely in Inuyama castles historical past. The teahouse was relocated a few time, lastly to its present place in Urakuen Garden within the 1970’s.
Entry to the backyard is Y1200 and Y600 for matcha and candy.
Inuyama Museums
If you will have time in your day to discover the fortress city not simply view the fortress we’d advocate selecting up the Inuyama Jokamachi Shūyūken, a ticket that provides entry to the fortress itself and three museums all positioned on heritage road that results in the fortress. The musuems are the Shirotomachi Museum IMASEN Inuyama Karakuri Museum Tamaya Shobei Kobo, and the Dondenkan.
Approaching from Inuyama Station and strolling in direction of the fortress you’ll first come to Dondenkan on the suitable, that is the museum that homes the large floats which can be pulled by the city through the pageant. The museums all had ample data in English to get a great understanding of what you have been seeing and pleasant employees who made an effort to assist reply any questions or be sure you didn’t miss any highlights.
The different two have been on the left hand facet a lot nearer to the fortress. IMASEN is subsequent, this museum is all in regards to the mechanical puppets or dolls used within the festivals all through historical past, at 10:30 am and a pair of pm on weekdays, extra typically on weekends there are demonstations the place you’ll be able to see the mechanical dolls carrying a tea bowl and the way they’re operated. There are additionally some interactive components that demonstate the mechanics should you go to outdoors the demonstration time.
Shirotomachi Museum is the final one and wraps up the historical past of the city. As you enter there’s a very detailed diorama displaying how the fortress city was specified by feudal instances, I’m a visible individual and located this birdseye view actually informative as different fortress cities now we have been too throughout Japan show the identical segmentation of samurai, artisans, retailers and townspeople however this presentation actually helped me higher grasp each the practicalities and inherent class system that underlies it.
What to Eat in Inuyama
A giant a part of an incredible journey day is attempting the native meals that the area is thought for and Japans fortress cities are an incredible place to graze as you make your method by their historic streets. A couple of selection picks to contemplate round Inuyama and simply accessible on the principle road resulting in the fortress are:
- Gohei Mochi – Tasty grilled rice skewers with miso sauce
- Hida Beef Sushi – This evenly seared, melt-in-your-mouth wagyu sushi is a pricier snack however so scrumptious!
- Local Craft Beer & Sake – The excellent option to finish you day after sightseeing
- Matcha Soft Serve – Because in Japan = matcha all the things is admittedly good and never overly sweetened 😍
A couple of of our different highlights must be:
- Strawberries – In season, big, vibrant pink and completely filled with flavour
- Craft roastery espresso – Brewed pour over drip fashion by an area roastery was a standout, and
- Takoyaki – Small griddle fried dumplings with a bit of octopus within the centre are one thing I at all times wrestle to move by at any time of day.
Although we had a lot fabulous meals, each snacks and lunch as we wandered round city, I nonetheless couldn’t resist a field of tremendous delicate and squishy fruit flavoured mochi from a tiny store entrance simply earlier than the station to take again for an after dinner deal with. They have been so good, one of the best we discovered on this journey!
Top suggestions for an Inuyama day journey
Best time of 12 months to go to Inuyama
There actually isn’t any unhealthy time to go to most locations in Japan however the spring and autumn are our choice. In early springtime there will likely be cherry blossoms by the fortress, a basic postcard excellent view, then in April there may be the Inuyama Matsuri a pageant with large floats & fireworks. We actually get pleasure from native festivals they add so many enjoyable recollections to a go to. Autumn after all provides the fiery fall colors and once more they make the fortress and river views additional magical.
We have been there in May this time, late spring is considered one of our private favorite instances in Japan, you don’t get the blossoms or jewel colored leaves however all the things is corresponding to lush clear inexperienced and the crowds in every single place are just a bit much less.
General Tips for daytripper to Inuyama
As normal when travelling in Japan we advocate having web connectivity, our private choice for comfort, worth and protection is a TravelKon eSIM, this actually comes into its personal when travelling in smaller cities like this the place you usually tend to need to verify practice instances or get a little bit assist to translate an indication or menu.
You’ll additionally need your digicam, very snug strolling footwear and and empty tummy able to tackle one of the best that Inuyama has to supply. Our packing for Japan article can also be fashionable and helps with a couple of much less apparent issues to contemplate to your subsequent go to.
Conclusion: Why You Should Go Inuyama!
There is quite a bit to like about Inuyama that makes it a no brainer day journey from Nagoya. It’s has a relaxed and extra sedate tempo than most different day journey choices across the metropolis however has a lot to see and do within the one spot. An supreme mix of historical past, tradition, meals and a few distinctive experiences all within the one spot.
It’s ideally positioned between two practice stations which can be simple to stroll between so that you don’t want to make use of time and vitality looping again over floor you’ve already lined, you’ll be able to plan your day beginning at one station and ending on the different.
