The area surrounding Inuyama Yuen Station has been dubbed “Japan’s Rhine” due to the steep, Kiso River-eroded cliffs and the picturesque sight of Inuyama Castle standing along the river. While Rhine boat tours are currently suspended, the valley remains a popular spot for activities such as rafting. In the past, the surrounding terrain served as a castle (Unuma Castle) during the Muromachi and Azuchi-Momoyama periods, and later as a restaurant during the Showa era.

Moreover, the riverbed of the Kiso River features “chert,” a distinct reddish-brown rock that holds significant geological importance and has been known to yield valuable fossils, making it an invaluable location for geological research.

Spring is the season of cherry blossoms. From within Inuyama Castle to the banks of the Kiso River, the entire castle town is adorned in shades of pink. You can take a stroll along the riverside promenade or enjoy the scenery from a sightseeing boat. Another option is to ride in a rickshaw and appreciate the cherry blossoms and riverside views from a different perspective.

In early April, the Inuyama Festival takes place on the first Saturday and Sunday, further enhancing the lively atmosphere of spring in Inuyama.

In the past, there was a river festival called “Kawamatsuri” held at Mikami Inari Shrine in Inuyama. Numerous lanterns adorned the area, and graceful straw-wrapped boats, accompanied by traditional music, leisurely floated along the Kiso River. However, during the mid-Showa period, the construction of Inuyama-Toshukō (Line Oōhashi) on the Kiso River led to the disappearance of the festival.

Currently, efforts are underway to revive the tradition of the straw-wrapped festival boats.

The Inuyama Festival, which takes place annually on the first Saturday and Sunday of April, is a vibrant celebration featuring 13 elaborately decorated festival floats known as “Yamayama,” each carrying karakuri puppets.

The festival offers various highlights, including the presentation of karakuri performances, the dramatic direction changes known as “Donden,” and the stunning “Yoyama” evening procession with its 365 beautifully lit lanterns.

Originating in the 12th year of the Kan’ei era (1635), the Inuyama Festival initially revolved around parades featuring elaborately crafted creations and costumed processions known as “Nerimono.” Over time, it gradually shifted its focus to the festival floats, becoming an entertainment-centered celebration.

Inuyama’s summer is adorned with fireworks and bonfires that illuminate the night’s river surface. It begins with the fireworks display at the Ukai opening ceremony, followed by a ten-day long fireworks festival held in August, bringing the area around Inuyama Yuen Station to life with bustling excitement.

The traditional cormorant fishing on the Kiso River has been practiced for over 1300 years, and it is said to have been carried out in Inuyama since the early Edo period. Did the people of that time also gaze at the bonfires in the same way…?

In Inuyama, daytime cormorant fishing is also conducted, offering the opportunity to appreciate the scenic beauty along the Kiso River, including Inuyama Castle, and marvel at the dexterity of the cormorant fishermen.

Inuyama has developed as a city known for its high-quality timber, particularly the renowned “Kiso hinoki” (Japanese cypress). Kiso hinoki has long been utilized as a construction material for castles and shrines, and since the 1700s, it has been used in the construction of the Naiku (Inner Shrine) of Ise Jingu.

Kiso hinoki, which is distributed from the Kiso region in Nagano Prefecture to the southern part of Hida and the Tokai region, is harvested and then transported downstream using the Kiso River. The logs, floated down one by one from upstream, are assembled into rafts when the river widens. Inuyama served as a relay base for these rafts.

With the gathering of people and goods centered around Kiso hinoki, Inuyama flourished and developed over time.

“The Tower of the Young Sun” in Japan Monkey Park is a work by the renowned artist Taro Okamoto, known for his creations such as “Tower of the Sun” and “Myth of Tomorrow.” The sculpture of the “Young Sun” portion was gifted by Taro Okamoto himself, while the tower section was constructed by local volunteers.

Taro Okamoto frequently visited the Inuyama area due to his father’s connections and is said to have enjoyed the boat tours along the Kiso River, which were operational at that time.

Due to deterioration, the surrounding area was temporarily closed, but with the help of donations and support from many people, it was restored and has been open to the public since 2011, during the Heisei era.

Autumn in Inuyama is known for its breathtaking autumn foliage in the valleys. The “Ryannagari” boat tours, which began in the late Taisho period, ended in the 2000s. However, there is currently a limited-time operation of the “Momotaro Autumn Leaves Boat” that shuttles between Inuyama Castle and Momotaro Shrine.

Additionally, Inuyama Jakko-in, often referred to as the “Maple Temple of Owari,” is a historic temple that even Oda Nobunaga visited in the past. With approximately 1,000 vibrant maple trees, the sight of their colorful leaves is truly awe-inspiring.

Do you know the legend of Momotaro, a story that every Japanese person is familiar with? It is said that the setting of this story is in Inuyama. Inuyama is home to the symbolic “Momotaro Shrine” that represents the legend of Momotaro.

The current Momotaro Shrine was relocated in 1930, during the fifth year of the Showa era, from an old shrine called “Komori Shrine” that was said to be located at the foot of “Momoyama,” where Momotaro was last seen.

At the shrine, you will be greeted by sculptures and objects related to Momotaro. In the treasure hall, you can see various items associated with the Momotaro legend.

Every year on May 5th, which is Children’s Day in Japan, the “Momotaro Festival” is held, where children dress up as Momotaro and celebrate.

In winter, Inuyama Naritasan (Daishoji) Temple is a popular spot for New Year’s visits in Inuyama. It is a branch temple of Shinshoji Temple located in Narita City, Chiba Prefecture, and is well-known for its prayers for traffic safety.

Moreover, at the Japan Monkey Centre, you can observe monkeys warming themselves by a bonfire during the winter season. This behavior of monkeys gathering around a fire is a famous example of their cultural behavior. It began when the staff of the center burned fallen trees caused by the Ise Bay Typhoon in 1959, and it has continued for over 60 years.