| Founder | Oda Nobuyasu |  |
| Year | 1537 | |
| Type | Hilltop | |
| Condition | Original | |
| Alternate Name | Hakutei-jo | |
| Structure | 3 levels, 4 stories, plus 2 stories below ground | |
| Admin's Rating | ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ | |
| Historical Value | Top 100 Castles, National Treasures | |
| Historical Artifacts |
National Treasures: tenshu |
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| Location | Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture | |
| Map | Google Map | |
| Access | Inuyama Yuen Station (Meitetsu), 15 minute walk | |
| Website | Inuyama City Hall Sightseeing Information | |
| Visited | July 1992; May 1996; February 22, 2004 | |
| Notes | This is a great little castle to visit if you are in the area and have some time. It's also not far from Gifu or Nagoya so you could go to 2 sites in the same day. If you're really ambitious you might be able to make it to all three. | |
| History |
The castle as it stands today was established in 1537 by Nobunaga's grandfather Oda Nobuyasu. According to a Heian period book called "Enkishiki," at the site where Inuyama castle now stands, there was a shrine called Harigane Shrine (Harigane Jinja). This temple was later moved to Shirayamadaira to make way for the castle. The castle was not entirely constructed from scratch, but the main keep was actually moved here from a different castle known as Kanayama Castle. After Hideyoshi took Odawara, he stationed Ishikawa Sadakiyo at Inuyama castle. Following the Battle of Sekigahara, Ishikawa was defeated and Matsudaira Tadayoshi (master of Kiyosu castle) stationed his retainer Ogasawara Yoshitsugu in Inuyama Castle. In 1616 Ogasawara was replaced by Naruse Masanari and his family have more or less owned the castle through the present day. Inuyama-jo was famous for being the only privately owned castle in Japan. It had a few different owners early on, and was seized by the Meiji government who held it in their possession from 1872 to 1895. It suffered damage during an earthquake in 1891 and was returned to the Naruse family in 1895 under the condition that they repair the damages continue to keep up the castle into the future. It was recently sold to the city of Inuyama and will soon be taken over by Aichi Prefecture. |
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| Photo Tags | ||
12 Viewer Comments
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bryanbaier
on
My Page
February 13, 2012 at 10:08 PM
Great castle and a great place to view the sakura.
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rebolforces
on
My Page
January 15, 2012 at 09:41 AM
Second time at this castle, this time made sure I got to the 2 other museums down the road opposite, that were included in the ticket price. Love the walk from the station along the river with the castle perched on the hill over looking your progress
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RaymondW
June 18, 2011 at 10:11 PM
Went to this castle again. On my earlier visits to this place, I had ignored the painted screens on the first floor after you have climbed the stairs from the entrance. The screens show a number of famous battles including Sekigahara and Anegawa.
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Alamo6400
January 08, 2011 at 04:43 PM
WHAT THIS CASTLE WAS BUILT BY ODA NOBUYASA AWESOME I CAN'T BELIVE THAT THIS CSTLE WAS BUILT BY THE ODA CLAN BUT IF IT WAS ODA NOBUNAGA IT WOULD HAD BEEN AWESOMER
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Kris
on
My Page
November 14, 2010 at 11:50 PM
There are great views of Inuyama castle walking up the river and it seems to perch on the hill staring across the river into Mino, (part of modern day Gifu prefecture). Once you reach the top of the keep the view down to the river actually makes you quite dizzy. Inuyama was the first stop on my Natsu-no-Jin. I had a guide so I didn't get lost and discover anything cool or, conversely, do anything silly like pray backwards at the shrine and get a curse on my camera. I really enjoyed this castle. I third the opinion that this castle is a definite must see in the area. The mascot is Wanmaru-kun, (for once not just an arbitrary cute animal mascot – Inuyama does actually mean dog mountain). The 100meijo stamp is on request at the office.
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RaymondW
November 05, 2010 at 08:31 PM
I was very lucky on the day that I went to this castle as I had picture-perfect autumn weather. The leaves are beginning to change colour, but they will probably not be at their best for another week or two (mid-November). Still, it was good to visit this original castle in autumn. I second Furinkazan's comments below. If you are in the Nagoya / Gifu area, go and see this beautiful castle. Entry is 500yen.
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furinkazan
on
My Page
October 15, 2010 at 05:32 PM
Went today to this castle as well as Komakijo. This one is really a must do. Very nice structures and location. If you are in the vicinity, visit this castle>
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Admin
April 04, 2010 at 10:22 AM
There's not really a standard style. Every donjon is different. In the Edo Period you do see a lot more of the thinner more symmetrical "sotogata" style however. http://www.jcastle.info/resources/view/15-Donjon
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John
April 04, 2010 at 02:56 AM
I've noticed that the tenshu or donjn on some of these castles are different from the standard ones because they are taller and not as wide as the others.
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Julian (from Canada)
October 23, 2009 at 09:39 AM
Great little castle with great views of the city and close to nice, small museums. Also, not far from Jo-an tea house. I'm a bit sad to read that it's been sold. At least, I guess, that means it will be well-maintained.
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chelsea krass
May 01, 2009 at 09:08 AM
wow that castle is sooo pretty hahaha
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MM
March 17, 2008 at 02:44 AM
Inuyamajo does not have as many original buildings (four) as some castles. Yet, it is a good castle to go to if you love Shiro (like me) due to the fact that it has the oldest surviving Tenshu.
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