AichiTravel

Climb to the National Treasure Keep and enjoy a panoramic view of the Kiso River and castle town from the top-floor outer walkway

About this spot

Standing on a castle hill overlooking the Kiso River, this is a National Treasure keep said to be among the oldest of Japan's existing original keeps. Inside the keep, where you remove your shoes, thick beams and steep stairs preserve history intact, and the sense of adventure grows with each step upward. Upon reaching the top-floor outer walkway, you're greeted by a spectacular 360-degree panorama—the gentle flow of the Kiso River, the Nobi Plain, and the tiled roofs of the castle town. The view you share with your partner while feeling the breeze is the ultimate highlight of an Inuyama date.

Tips

Inside the keep, remove your shoes and carry them in a provided bag. The stairs are quite steep, so pants are safer than skirts, and sneakers are better than heels. As it's a popular castle, weekend queues for entry can form. The period right after opening in the early morning around 9 AM is least crowded, and you'll have time to photograph the outer walkway leisurely.