Inuyama Castle

photo by Tomio344456 · CC BY-SA 4.0

photo by ThorstenS · CC BY-SA 3.0

The tenshu, from 1537, is the oldest surviving one in Japan: a National Treasure since 1952.

The tenshu, built around 1537 by Oda Nobuyasu (Nobunaga's uncle), is the oldest still standing anywhere in Japan. It was first made a National Treasure in 1935; under the new post-war protection law it was redesignated a National Treasure on 29 March 1952. It stands at the point where the Nōbi Plain narrows towards the Kiso River, a defensive position chosen on purpose.

For centuries it was the only castle in Japan that remained in private hands: the Naruse family kept it until 2004, when they handed it over to a foundation. It is one of the five tenshu in Japan classified as National Treasures.

ℹ️ 9:00–17:00, last entry 16:30, closed 29–31/12. Tickets: adults 1,000 yen, elementary/junior high school students 200 yen.

🚉 Inuyama · 18 min walk

Sources: inuyama-castle.jp · inuyama-castle.jp

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