Inuyama Castle (???, Inuyamaj?) was initially constructed in 1537, and its donjon is one of Japan’s oldest extant. It is one of only twelve original castles left in Japan (i.e. castles that have survived intact the natural disasters and wars since the end of the feudal age in 1867). Inuyama Castle is also one of only five castles whose main keeps have been designated as national treasures. The other four are Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Hikone Castle and Matsue Castle.
The castle stands on top of a small hill next to Kiso River. The main keep’s structure is built almost entirely with wood and rocks, and its interior is beautifully preserved and retains an authentic feel without modern additions that reconstructed castles sometimes include, such as elevators.
