National Treasure Inuyama Castle and Traditional Ukai Cormorant Fishing Course

Day 1.

Nagoya Station

Train

25 min.

Meitetsu Inuyama Station

Walk

17 min.

National Treasure Inuyama Castle

Inuyama Castle is one of only five castles in Japan currently designated as National Treasures. Constructed by Oda Nobunaga's uncle Oda Nobuyasu in 1537, the view from the top of the tower is spectacular.

Walk

3 min.

Sanko Inari Shrine

Sanko Inari Shrine is a historic shrine located at the base of Inuyama Castle.
Inside Sanko Inari Shrine is Himehisashi Shrine, which specializes in romance, peaceful households, and harmonious marriages. The beautiful path of torii gates and the cute, heart-shaped wooden shrine tablets make this a popular spot.

Walk

3 min.

Inuyama Castle Town

Stretching away to the south of National Treasure Inuyama Castle is Inuyama Castle Town. Many traditional old merchant's houses can be seen along the streets. Have fun drinking tea at cafés within the old townhouses or shopping for stylish accessories and traditional handicrafts.

Walk

8 min.

"Dondenkan" Inuyama Festival Museum

"Dondenkan" Inuyama Festival Museum displays floats used in the famous Inuyama Festival, held annually on the first weekend in April. Take in the intricate craftsmanship of these floats adorned with lacquer or gold foil. In an effort to provide the full festival atmosphere throughout the year, one of the floats is lit with the paper lanterns that decorate the floats after sunset.

Walk

20 min.

Kiso River Ukai Cormorant Fishing

Ukai is a traditional method of fishing that uses cormorants to catch freshwater fish. Boasting 1,300 years of tradition, Kiso River Ukai is said to be the oldest in Japan. Ride in a tour boat and watch how the fishermen handle the birds from close range. During the nighttime tours, fire blazes from steel baskets on each fishing boat as the illuminated National Treasure Inuyama Castle stands out vividly against the backdrop of the night sky.

Day 2.

Stay at a Hotel Within Inuyama City

Taxi

10 min.

Jakkoin Temple

Within the temple grounds are many important structures that have been registered as Cultural Properties. Jakkoin Temple is also known as the "Temple of Maple Leaves in Owari," with around 1,000 maple trees. The temperature difference from the riverside to the temple on the mountain top paints the many giant trees in a brilliant array of colors that is well-worth seeing.

Taxi

10 min.

Meitetsu Inuyama Station

Taxi

10 min.

The Museum Meiji-Mura

Meiji-Mura displays historical architecture relocated and preserved from the Meiji period in an open-air museum.
Here you can eat a wide range of Meiji gourmet food. Try Japan's first cocktail, Denki Bran; beef hot pot, a representation of Japan's "civilization and enlightenment" movement; and croquettes reimagined from a description in Murai Gensai's best selling novel about Japanese gourmet dishes, "Shokudoraku."

Taxi

15 min.

Inuyama Loreley Bakushukan

Brewery & Restaurant Inuyama Loreley Bakushukan makes traditional German craft beer which can be enjoyed at the adjacent restaurant facility. Three types are available: the clear-taste Pilsner, the refreshing Weisen white beer, and the special Limited Editions created by the Braumeister. The lunch buffet has around 40 Japanese, Chinese and Western dishes that change according to season, great for all kinds of gatherings.