Inuyama Castle

Inuyama Castle (犬山城 Inuyama-jō^?) is located in the city of Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

Inuyama Castle is often claimed as the oldest castle in Japan.

Its original construction was completed in 1440.

The castle overlooks the Kiso River, which serves as the border between Aichi and Gifu prefectures. Inuyama Castle is one of the 12 Japanese castles still in existence which were built before the Edo period.

The most famous attraction is Inuyama Castle on a 40 meter rise overlooking the Kiso River. This Japanese castle was designated as a Japanese national treasure in 1935 and again in 1952. The castle in its current form was built in 1537 by Oda Nobuyasu, grandfather of the great warlord Oda Nobunaga. The castle is the only privately-owned castle in Japan, and has remained unchanged since it was built, making it the oldest original wooden castle in Japan.

Entry into Inuyama Castle also allows visitors to enter into the Inuyama Artifacts Museum (犬山市文化史料館 Inuyama-shi Bunka Shiryō-kan) and the Karakuri Exhibition Room (からくり展示館 Karakuri Tenjikan). Both of the exhibitions focus on cultural and historical artifacts of the city.