🗺️ Inuyama Castle犬山城

Inuyama Castle is one of only five castles in Japan designated as national treasures, and it is said to be the oldest existing tenshu (donjon) in Japan, known for its early lookout-style tenshu characteristics. It is rumored to have been built by Oda Nobukane, the uncle of Oda Nobunaga, in 1537 during the Muromachi period. Inuyama Castle is situated on a small hill with the Kiso River serving as a natural barrier at the back, earning it the name "Castle of the Rear Fortification." The castle is integrated with the castle town and was once an important center for trade, politics, and economics. The five national treasure castles are "Inuyama Castle," "Matsumoto Castle," "Hikone Castle," "Himeji Castle," and "Matsue Castle." Due to its location at the border of Owari and Mino, Inuyama Castle was contested by Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Sengoku period, resulting in multiple changes of castle lords over the years. In the Edo period, it came under the control of Naruse Masanari from the Owari Domain, and it is generally believed that the current appearance of the tenshu was completed during this time. Notably, Inuyama Castle has always been the only privately owned castle in the country, but it was transferred to the public interest foundation "Inuyama Castle Hakutei Bunko" in 2004. The top floor of the tenshu features a surrounding corridor, and on clear days, one can enjoy views of the Kiso River, Nōbi Plain, Mount Ontake, Gifu Castle, and the skyscrapers of Nagoya Station. Inside the castle, which has three stories and two underground levels, most of the original building materials from the time of construction have been preserved. Walking within the castle produces creaking sounds from the wooden floorboards, and the gaps in the floor are filled with a sense of history. In addition to the "ishiotoshi" (stone drop) that prevents intruders from invading through the stone walls, the tenshu also features twelve "momoyaki" (peach-shaped tiles) on the roof that are believed to ward off evil spirits.

Designated as one of the five national treasures, this castle features a lookout tower on the top floor that offers breathtaking views. It is a wooden tenshu in the oldest style of Japan, rich in historical significance.