Inuyama City, Aichi Pref., Tokai region

Inuyama City ( above ) is located in the north of Aichi Prefecture, in the west of Tokai Region. Its population is a little more than 73 thousands. The city has developed as a castle town since the late 15th century. Now lots of people visit the city to see the famous Inuyama-jo Castle and to walk around.

Upon arrving in Inuyama City, it is recommended to walk to Inuyama Bridge, which is located near Inuyama-Yuen Station of Meitetsu Inuyama Railway Line. From Inuyama Bridge, visitors would enjoy a fine view of Inuyama-jo Castle ( above ) beside Kiso River. Then let's walk to the castle along the river.

The main keep of the castle stands on the top of small mountain 88 meters high. So to see the main keep, visitors walk up the stone paved path which is lined with old stone walls ( above ).

Now here is the Main Keep of Inuyama-jo Castle on the top of the mountain. The keep was built in A.D.1537 and renovated in A.D.1596, A.D.1617 and A.D.1620. The keep was designated as one of the National Treasures of Japan in A.D.1952. Also the site of the castle was designated as a National Historic Site in A.D.2018.

There in Japan are only twelve castles whose main keeps have been and are surviving and there in Japan are only five castles whose main keeps are designated National Treasures of Japan. Inuyama-jo Castle is one of them.

Inside the Main Keep of the castle, visitors are to climb up narrow and steep stairs to the top level. Such stairs are far from helpful to tourists. However they helped defenders of the castle during Sengoku Jidai ( the Age of Warring States ==> A History of Japan vol.2 Samurai Age ).

The top level of the main keep offers a fine view such as the above photo, which shows Kiso River and Inuyama Bridge, from which tourists could enjoy viewing a landscape of the river and the castle.

After Tokugawa Shogunate was overthrown in A.D.1868, most of the buildings of Inuyama-jo Castle were destroyed but the Main Keep. So tourists can enjoy a panoramic view as well as Japan has not lost one of the designated National Treasures.

Within 5 minutes walk from the castle, tourists could find Yamada Goheimochi-ten ( above ), in front of which there would be a queue for Goheimochi occasionally. The building is one of the Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan.

The above photo shows Goheimochi, one of local specialty foods, for which Yamada Goheimochi-ten is very famous. Goheimochi is rice dumplings on skewers, seasoned with sauce of sesame, walnuts, peanuts, mirin ( sweet sake ) and miso ( soybean paste ), then grilled.

There in a castle town is some houses built a few centuries ago such as Isobe House ( above ), which was built in Tokugawa Period by the Isobe family, a kimono fabrics dealer. The house was renovated after the earthquake in A.D.1891. Isobe House is one of the Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan.

Isobe House is open to the public. So tourists could walk around inside Isobe House ( above ) to see how rich merchant family lived a few centuries ago.

In the season of Hanami ( Sakura Viewing ), many people visit Enmyo-ji Temple, which is famous for Shidare-Zakura ( weeping cherry tree - above ). It is said that the cherry tree is almost 300 years old.

Matsuno-ya has served Dengaku to local people for more than 120 years. Dengaku ( above ) is food skewered with Miso ( soybean paste ) sauce and grilled. Matsuno-ya prepares tofu, taro, pork and mud snail as ingredients of Dengaku. Tofu ( bean curd ) Dengaku could be most recommended.