Inuyama Castle: A National Treasure Half-Day Trip from Nagoya

ByCentral Japan Guide

Last checked: October 19, 2026, against the official Inuyama Castle website. Hours, fees and closing days change, so please confirm on the official site before you go. This site is independent and is not affiliated with the castle. This post may contain affiliate links; if you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Inuyama Castle stands on a hill above the Kiso River, north of Nagoya. The official site says that only 12 castle keeps remain from the era when tens of thousands of castles stood, and that Inuyama’s is one of them and a National Treasure. It is an easy trip from Nagoya Station, and a good choice when you want to go inside an original keep, since the main keep of Nagoya Castle is currently closed (see our Nagoya Castle guide).

Key takeaways

  • The castle is open from 9:00 to 17:00, with last entrance at 16:30. It is closed from December 29 to 31.
  • Admission is 1,000 yen for adults and 200 yen for children under 14.
  • From Meitetsu Nagoya Station, the Inuyama Line takes around 25 minutes to Inuyama Station. The castle is about a 20-minute walk from there.
  • On the fourth floor you can step out onto the cornice and see a 360-degree view. The official site says Inuyama is the only one of the five National Treasure castles that allows this.
  • Spring is the cherry blossom season, and the Inuyama Festival is held on the first weekend of April.
Inuyama Castle visitor facts

The short version
Hours 9:00 to 17:00 (last entrance 16:30)
Closed December 29 to 31
Adult 1,000 yen
Child under 14 200 yen
From Nagoya Around 25 minutes from Meitetsu Nagoya Station to Inuyama Station
Walk from the station About 20 minutes
Pets Not allowed

All details are from the official Inuyama Castle website on the date above.

Fees and tickets

  • Adults 1,000 yen. Children under 14 200 yen.
  • Groups. The official site lists discounts of 10 percent for more than 30 people, 20 percent for more than 100, and 30 percent for more than 300.
  • Payment. At the Front Gate Ticket Office you can use transport IC cards, Rakuten Edy, QUICPay, PayPay, nanaco and WAON.
  • No changes. Once purchased, tickets cannot be reissued or changed.
  • Wheelchair users. Wheelchair users and their caretakers can enter free, limited to two people. Ask at a ticket desk.

The official site also mentions set tickets that include the castle and other places. Check the site for the current list.

How to get there from Nagoya

The official access page lists this route:

1. Meitetsu Nagoya Station to Inuyama Station. Take the Meitetsu Inuyama Line, on a Rapid Limited Express or Limited Express, around 25 minutes. Meitetsu Nagoya Station is about 10 minutes on foot from JR Nagoya Station. 2. From Centrair Airport. The Meitetsu Airport Line with the μSKY Limited Express takes about 55 minutes to Inuyama Station, according to the same page. 3. On foot. The castle is about a 20-minute walk from Inuyama Station. Leave the ticket gate to the west, walk through the castle town, and you reach the base of the hill.

From the base, the official site describes three paths up. Each ends at stone steps, with the ticket office on your right: the Otemichi course, which has been used since the castle was built, the Sanko Inari Shrine course, and the Haritsuna Shrine course.

The official page does not give the fare, so check the Meitetsu fare on the day. See our Centrair guide if you arrive by air.

Inside the keep

The official site explains the structure. The keep has three layers seen from outside and four floors inside.

  • Underground floors. The entrance is on the second underground floor, in the stone wall. A narrow passage and steep stairs made it easy to defend.
  • First floor. The site points out traces of old tools, such as cuts by a Japanese saw on the pillars and square nails in the floor. The Jodan-no-ma is the only room with tatami mats, built in the Edo period for the lord.
  • Second floor. A wide covered walkway and an armory.
  • Third floor. A gable room with windows on all four walls.
  • Fourth floor. A cornice surrounds the floor, and you can walk out on it. The official page says you can see the Noube Plain to the south, the city of Nagoya in front, and the Kiso River and Gifu Castle to the west and north.

The official site describes a narrow passage and steep stairs at the entrance, so expect some climbing.

Around the castle

The official site lists these nearby attractions:

  • Cherry blossoms. About 400 cherry trees line the river with the castle at the center, from late March to early April.
  • Inuyama Festival. It is held on the first weekend of April, and is part of UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage. Thirteen floats, each about 8 meters high, go around the castle town.
  • Autumn leaves. The site recommends late November to early December.
  • Castle town. You can rent a kimono in the castle town. The local food is known for skewers such as dengaku. The site asks visitors not to eat while walking.
Klook · Affiliate linkInuyama Castle, Meiji-Mura Museum and Meitetsu train setOne-way from US$30.55 or round-trip from US$34.85, valid for 28 days. It is not available to Japanese passport holders, the train ticket is for ordinary trains with no reserved seats, and the set is for people aged 12 and over. Add up the official castle fee and the Meitetsu fare above to see whether it is a good deal. As listed on October 19, 2026.Check on Klook
Viator · Affiliate linkFrom Nagoya: Inuyama Castle and Tea Half-Day Tour (small group)A half-day small-group walking tour. The listing says it covers historic streets, Inuyama Castle and a tea garden with a matcha tasting. The meeting point is at the silver clock in Nagoya Station.Check on Viator
GetYourGuide · Affiliate linkNagoya: Inuyama Castle, Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku TourA one-day tour with guides in English, Chinese and Japanese, according to the listing. Stops include Inuyama Castle, Ena Gorge, Magome-juku and Tsumago-juku, with free time for lunch. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.Check on GetYourGuide

The Meiji-Mura open-air museum is also near Inuyama. See our Meiji-Mura guide for the hours, the closing days and the fees.

A half-day plan

1. Take the Meitetsu Inuyama Line from Nagoya in the morning, and walk through the castle town. 2. Visit the castle. Allow time for the climb and the cornice. 3. Have lunch in the castle town, then walk back to the station.

Check the weather before you go. For a longer stay in Nagoya, see our 3-day Nagoya itinerary and our hotel guide.

Map

Inuyama area map

Open these places in Google Maps:

Frequently asked questions

How much does Inuyama Castle cost? 1,000 yen for adults and 200 yen for children under 14, according to the official site.

How long does it take to get there from Nagoya? Around 25 minutes by Meitetsu from Meitetsu Nagoya Station to Inuyama Station, then about 20 minutes on foot.

What time does the castle close? It closes at 17:00, and the last entrance is at 16:30.

Is Inuyama Castle really original? The official site says it is one of 12 surviving castle keeps, and it is designated a National Treasure.

When is the best time to visit? The official site highlights cherry blossoms from late March to early April, the festival on the first weekend of April, and autumn leaves from late November to early December.

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