{"id":1110,"date":"2026-05-17T03:04:05","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T03:04:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/?p=1110"},"modified":"2026-05-17T03:04:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T03:04:07","slug":"043-inuyama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shirolog.info\/en\/043-inuyama\/","title":{"rendered":"[Japan’s Top 100 Castles No. 043] National Treasure Inuyama Castle: A Snow-Covered Keep and Cliffside Thrills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

1. Basic Data to Know Before You Visit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Item<\/th>Details<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Castle Name (Number)<\/strong><\/td>Inuyama Castle (Japan’s Top 100 Castles No. 43)<\/td><\/tr>
Alternative Name \/ Location<\/strong><\/td>Hakutei Castle \/ 65-2 Inuyamakita-koken, Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture<\/td><\/tr>
Founder \/ Year of Construction<\/strong><\/td>Oda Nobuyasu (Uncle of Oda Nobunaga) \/ 1537 (Tenbun 6)<\/td><\/tr>
Main Remains<\/strong><\/td>Original Main Keep (National Treasure)<\/td><\/tr>
Stamp Location<\/strong><\/td>Inuyama Castle Management Office (Near the entrance of the main keep)<\/td><\/tr>
Parking<\/strong><\/td>Inuyama Castle Parking Lot 1 (Approx. 5-minute walk to the castle. Be careful of your footing on snowy days)<\/td><\/tr>
Estimated Time Required<\/strong><\/td>Approx. 60\u201390 minutes (The steep stairs in the keep may cause delays depending on crowds)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. [Field Report] Strategy Points & A Dad’s Perspective<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A Snow-Covered National Treasure Keep: The Price of Beauty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On January 12, 2026, I took a local train from Nagoya Station and arrived in Inuyama. Waiting for me there was the main keep, beautifully blanketed in snow. The sight of this Boro-gata (watchtower style) keep, considered one of the oldest surviving styles in Japan, dressed in pure white was absolutely breathtaking. However, the price for enjoying this spectacular view was an unexpected mishap: melted snow seeped right into my shoes. Even in my late 30s, and thinking I\u2019d accumulated plenty of life experience, I was painfully reminded first-hand of the absolute necessity of waterproof gear when exploring castles in the winter.
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A 42-Degree Cliffside Ascent: The Thrill and “Terror” of an Authentic Ancient Castle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The true essence of Inuyama Castle lies in its “Ushiro-gengo” (rear-defended) layout, perched dramatically atop a cliff overlooking the Kiso River. The stairs inside the keep have a maximum incline of 42 degrees. There isn\u2019t a single trace of the modern comfort you’d find in recently reconstructed modern replicas. Climbing up step by step with my son, shouting “This is terrifying!” to each other, felt less like casual sightseeing and more like an actual “castle raid.” The “Mawarien” (the outdoor wooden veranda) on the top floor slants slightly outward, doubling the thrill on a snowy day. Since the handrails are quite low, it offers a dramatic sense of openness\u2014and a fear of heights\u2014that will make even adults freeze in their tracks.
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History Living Within the Castle: The Armory and the Lord’s Chamber<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As you explore the interior, you come across precious structural remnants that vividly tell the story of the past. In the “Bugu-no-ma” (Armory), which boasts a vast area of 246.006 square meters (equivalent to 144 tatami mats), the weapon shelves built along three walls evoke a tense, battle-ready atmosphere. Meanwhile, the “Jodan-no-ma” (the elevated chamber used by the castle lord) features a raised tatami floor layout, silently speaking to the high dignity and prestige this castle has fiercely protected throughout history.
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\"Interior<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Family & Kids Travel Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n