Inuyama

Inuyama is a city located in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. It lies along the Kiso River, about 25 kilometers north of Nagoya. The city developed as a castle town centered on Inuyama Castle and retains a historic core with streets and merchant houses from the Edo period.

A notable feature of Inuyama is Inuyama Castle, designated a National Treasure. The castle is one of the oldest surviving wooden castles in Japan and sits on a hill overlooking the river, giving visitors a view of the surrounding town and countryside.

Beyond the castle, the area includes Urakuen Garden, a traditional garden with a teahouse, and the nearby Meiji Mura open-air museum, which preserves Meiji-era architecture relocated from across Japan. These sites illustrate different facets of Japan’s architectural and cultural heritage.

The city is connected by rail on the Meitetsu Inuyama Line, with Inuyama Station providing access to Nagoya and other destinations. The local economy combines tourism with manufacturing and services, supporting a population of around several tens of thousands of residents.

Culturally, Inuyama hosts traditional events and festivals that attract visitors from the region. The city offers a compact historic core, several cultural sites, and easy access to the Nagoya metropolitan area, making it a common destination for day trips and cultural tourism in central Japan.