“Secret Tour of Love!”– Exploring Inuyama Castle Town –“What’s the best trip for you?”“What do you want to do during your trip?”
We are a group of university and high school students. Some of us are from Aichi.
Some of us are from other places in Japan. One of us is from China. However, we all
have similar answers to these questions: eating delicious food, taking nice photos,
seeing beautiful views, and or enjoying the traditional atmosphere of a nice location.
At first, we didn’t know that Aichi Prefecture has those kinds of things. We imaginedplaces like Kyoto or Tokyo. However, we found a place which meets our expectations
right here in Aichi. It is INUYAMA CASTLE TOWN.
An original castle from the 1500s, Inuyama Castle is registered as a national treasure.
The castle itself is famous in Japan, and there is a lot of English information.
You can look at the city’s website here:
http://ml.inuyama.gr.jp/en/must-see-sight-en/2042
However, these days Inuyama is not only a historical place but also a modernsightseeing spot. Young Aichi residents including couples and young women now gothere for sweets, for Instagram photo opportunities, and even for romantic moments.
In fact, there is now a theme of love and hearts found all around the town.

We were surprised at all these awesome things, so we want to share the experienceswith international travelers. Our article will focus on what you can do in the areaaround the castle. In Japanese, it’s called joka-machi, which means “the town below
the castle.” The modern castle town area has many modern buildings, but it also has
old-fashioned Japanese atmosphere, with traditional wooden houses and friendly
locals. In this article, we’ll take you on the “secret tour of love” in Inuyama. Let’s go!

Inuyama-Biyori Kimono Rental:
Experience Japan Beautifully!
Before walking around the castle town, why don't you rent a kimono?
You can do it cheaply and conveniently in Inuyama! We used the kimono
rental shop Inuyama Biyori.
Go straight to the west from the station andyou'll find Inuyama Biyori on your right.
Address: Higashikoken 195,Inuyama, Aichi 480-0081
https://www.inuyamabiyori.com/english-topCastleInuyama
Biyori
Station →A Great Value!
You can rent the kimono
and accessories – geta(sandles), tabi (two-toedsocks), and kago (purse) –all for 3780yen.
The price includes thefitting.

kimonoobi (sash)

Dress up inTraditionalJapaneseBeauty!

kago (purse)

geta (sandals)
You can choose your favorite kimono from a wide variety of colors andpatterns. The clerk at the shop will help you choose some accessories which
suit your kimono.
Points to Pay Attention to!
 Hairstyling for the kimono is optional, and costs extra money.
 You need to return the kimono by 6:00 pm, or a late fee will be charged.
 Also, don't be late for your appointment time or you will have to pay extra money.

One of the best ways to get into the
traditional feeling is to rent a kimono.
We rented a kimono at the shop
Inuyama Biyori. This shop is ideallylocated, because it’s right at theentrance to the castle-town area. So,
you can put on a kimono right away
and start to enjoy the town. It’s muchcheaper here than in a famous place
like Kyoto. The kimonos were very
cute and stylish, and we felt like wewere stepping back in time when weput them on!
Delicious food is an essential ingredient
for an emotionally-satisfying trip. Youcan find fun and easy foods in the Showa
Yokocho neighborhood on your leftwhen you enter the town. This area isfamous for casual shops and food stands
selling fried food or manju; a kind ofJapanese-style bun. The air is filled withfragrant smell of roasted soy sauce. If
you buy some food, you can eat it rightthere on the spot. On our “secret tour oflove,” all the foods we tried around thecastle-town had heart shapes! We’ll
introduce our favorites.
～KURAYA～
Kuraya is in Showa Yokocho. It sells
colorful dango: Japanese rice-doughdumplings. They have a unique texture
with wonderful smoothness andelasticity. Kuraya makes different
flavored dango for each season,
including our favorite: the multicoloredkoikomachi dango on a stick. The
friendly personality of the owner ischarming as well.
Address: Higashikoken 60, Inuyama,
Aichi 480-0085
Website (Japanese): http://syouwayokotyou.com/contents/kuraya.html～YOAKEYA ～YOAKEYA sells cream-cheesecake withmatcha green tea powder on top. It
smells like green tea. The sweet-sourcheese and bitter green tea flavors
match well. You'll never be bored withthe taste.
Address: Higashikoken 665, Inuyama,Aichi 480-0083
Website (Japanese):
http://yoakeya.com/

～JUHYOYA ～JUHYOYA sells roasted rice balls, servedwith pickled Japanese radish on a skewer.
If you can get a heart-shaped rice ball,your luck in love will double!
Address: Higashikoken 15, Inuyama, Aichi480-0081
Website (Japanese):https://www.fusomoriguchi.co.jp/inuya
maan/

Before you visit the castle, you should stop by Inuyama’s most famous secret spot:
the Sanko-Inari Shrine, which is located at the bottom of the Inuyama Castle Hill.

The shrine is notable for its beautiful red torii gate and its unique ema. Ema arewooden boards on which people write their wishes to ask the god of the shrine.
Sanko-Inari shrine has cute pink ema in the shape of hearts.

You can also get a paper fortune called omikuji. The fortunes here are decorated
with lovely pictures of dolls. In addition, sometimes you can see the fallen leaves
gathered into the shape of a heart.

Because of this atmosphere, manypeople visit this shrine with wishes forromance. For example, young women
go to pray that they will find the loveof their life, and couples also go there
for luck in their relationships. However,many people these days just go to takenice photos of the romantic scenery,often posting them on Instagram.
Also at Sanko Inari Shrine is a smaller
shrine called Zeniarai Shrine. Thisshrine has a special pool of water, anda legend handed down by word ofmouth. The legend says that if you
wash your money in the pool’s water,
several times that amount will comeback to you in time. People even wash
their paper money there!

How to Get to Inuyama
Nagoya is on the way from Tokyo to Kyoto, so many international
travelers will pass through. Inuyama is great because it’s located just
one short train-ride away from Nagoya. It’s an easy and fulfilling day
trip for your travels. Here’s how to get there…
Take the Meitetsu Train Line. From Meitetsu Nagoya Station, get on theInuyama Line to Inuyama Station.
(Be careful! The JR, Meitetsu and Kintetsu Railways and the city subway
all have their respective "Nagoya Stations.” If you arrive to Nagoya froma different line, you have to transfer to the Meitetsu line. In addition,
various lines leave from the same platform. Be sure to check yourdirection of travel at the station entrance, and your line and destination
when you get to the platform.)
The train fare from Meitetsu Nagoya station to Inuyama Station is anormal fare of 550 yen. There are also limited express trains which getthere quickly. However, on these trains a separate limited express
charge of 360 yen will be added, totaling 910 yen.

Food, photos, views, and atmosphere… Inuyama met our all
expectations. We didn’t know about it before, but we had great time
there. International travelers can also find the picture-perfect Japaneseexperience in this small town. Now it’s your turn! Please visit Inuyama
and check out its charm with your own eyes. Don’t miss it!!
We hope to see the lovely pictures of your Inuyama trip on Instagram!