Inuyama 1 Day Trip — A Small Town Near Nagoya Full of Old Japan Charm

Escape the hustle and bustle of the big city — just a train ride of less than an hour from Nagoya, you'll find "Inuyama" (Inuyama), a small castle town filled with old-fashioned Japanese charm.

Stroll along the old town streets lined with historic wooden houses, stop for cute-looking dango, dress in a kimono to capture the classic atmosphere, and don't miss praying for love at the town's famous shrine.

This one-day trip is perfect for photographers, foodies, and anyone who just wants to relax and soak up traditional Japan. Though it's a small town, it has enough charm to keep you happily exploring all day.

If you're ready… let's head out and experience Inuyama together.

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1 Day Trip : Strolling the Old Town of Inuyama

★ 9:10 - 9:50 Travel to Inuyama

Inuyama is a small town with a classic atmosphere in Aichi Prefecture, not far from Nagoya. It stands out for its traditional Japanese charm, including an ancient castle, an Edo-period old town district, and beautiful views along the Kiso River. Whether you visit during cherry blossom season, autumn leaf season, or on an ordinary day, Inuyama always has its own unique charm, making it a destination that combines history, nature, and genuine Japanese atmosphere.

・Access: Take the Inuyama Line train departing at 9:11 from Meitetsu Nagoya Station to Inuyama Station, a 35-minute ride

・Transport cost: ¥630

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WazTtp7qm3VAJhxH6

★ 10:05 - 10:50 Breakfast at Juhyoya

Start at the first restaurant in the old town, known for its skewered street food. A must-try is Shoyu Okoge Kushi, grilled rice balls on a skewer, lightly charred with a fragrant soy sauce glaze and served with local pickled vegetables — the salty-sweet balance is just right and makes for very moreish eating. It's perfect for grabbing and eating on the go, or if you'd rather sit and eat properly, there are several set menus with rice, side dishes, and a variety of pickles. Whether you want a light snack or a full breakfast, it's all here.

・Access: Walk from Inuyama Station to Juhyoya, 14 minutes (about 1 kilometer)

・Hours: Open daily 10:00 - 17:00

・Food prices: Skewered rice balls from ¥200 each / set menus ¥700 - 1,800

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VLLKStM33NY1PSURA

★ 10:55 - 11:10 Rent a kimono, stroll around town

Add extra fun to your stroll around Inuyama Castle by renting a kimono or yukata to wear. Walk and take photos among the old wooden houses for that old-fashioned Japanese feel, as if stepping back into the Edo period. Full outfits and accessories are available for both women and men, and some packages include hair styling so you can head out ready to go. Shops in the old town also offer discounts for anyone wearing a kimono.

・Access: Walk from Juhyoya to the rental shop, 1 minute

・Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (closed Thursdays)

・Cost: ¥4,000 - 5,000 / outfit

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8tWhjqBX9okxnjhv9

★ 11:20 - 14:00 Stroll the old town near Inuyama Castle (Inuyama-jokamachi)

Enjoy a relaxed stroll with an old Japanese feel, much less hectic than a big city, in the old town beneath Inuyama Castle. This area was once the center of trade and community life around the castle, and today it still retains the charm of Edo-period wooden houses lining both sides of the street. It's easy to walk around, with plenty to stop for along the way, from cute sweet shops and skewered street food to pastel-colored ice cream, cafes converted from old wooden houses, and local souvenir shops. You can easily spend half a day eating, walking, and taking photos, or stay for the whole day if you like. Walk a little further up the hill and you'll reach Inuyama Castle, one of Japan's oldest original wooden castles, with beautiful views from the top.

・Access: Follow the street in front of the kimono rental shop

・Hours: Most shops open 10:00 - 18:00

・MAP:https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rspsf4LipsYvnCtN7

★ 14:10 - 15:10 Lunch at Kotobukiya

By the time you've worked up an appetite from walking, stop by this restaurant. Its standout dish is Miso-Nikomi Kishimen, flat kishimen noodles simmered in a rich miso broth made from three kinds of local miso and slow-cooked for hours until fragrant and full-flavored. There's also Ayu Kamameshi, rice cooked in a clay pot and served with fragrant, tender ayu fish, for an authentic Japanese flavor. In summer, try the cold kishimen for something refreshing, and if you want something lighter on the side, there's tofu topped with a well-balanced sweet-savory miso sauce — a truly hearty local dish.

・Hours: Open daily 11:15 - 16:00

・Food prices: ¥1,000 - 2,000

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kovTFxTRb6e5pX4L9

★ 15:20 - 15:50 Pray for love at Himekame Shrine

Step into the small and charming Himekame Shrine, located within the grounds of the famous Sanko Inari Shrine. This spot is well known for love and relationship blessings, and the surrounding atmosphere is sweet and romantic. Most visitors come to pray for smooth, fulfilling relationships, to meet the right person, or for a happy, understanding partnership. Some couples pray for marriage or a stable relationship, making it one of the love-power spots of Inuyama. A popular highlight is buying a heart-shaped wooden prayer plaque, writing your wish, and hanging it up among the many others around the shrine.

・Access: Walk from Kotobukiya to the shrine, 2 minutes (about 90 meters)

・Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 - 16:30 / Saturday-Sunday 8:30 - 17:00

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/W9w8HfYxTycHZcUE9

★ 16:00 - 16:20 Shop for souvenirs, try Shiba-themed sweets at Musubichaya

Take a break with cute desserts and souvenirs to bring home. This shop has it all — a cafe, souvenirs, and a kimono rental shop all in one place. Downstairs is Musubi Chaya, a Japanese-style cafe serving Mitarashi Shiba Dango, grilled dango with sweet-savory sauce shaped like an adorable Shiba dog face, and skewered donuts with Shiba faces that are almost too cute to eat. There's also matcha tiramisu served in a wooden cup, rich and well-balanced in flavor. Inside the shop, there's also a souvenir corner with green tea cookies, senbei rice crackers, cute Shiba-patterned packaging, and other Inuyama-themed knick-knacks.

・Access: Walk from the shrine to Musubichaya, 7 minutes (about 500 meters)

・Hours: Open daily 10:00 - 17:00

・Food prices: From ¥400 - 1,000

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fPQNfGp1XePxUxHx6

★ 16:25 - 16:40 Return the kimono

・Access: Walk from Musubichaya to the kimono rental shop, 50 meters

・Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (closed Thursdays)

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8tWhjqBX9okxnjhv9

★ 16:50 - 17:50 Travel back to Nagoya

・Access: Walk from the kimono rental shop to Inuyama Station, 14 minutes, then take the Inuyama Line train to Meitetsu Nagoya Station, a 35-minute ride

・Transport cost: ¥630

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8QDauCaGpxrPsd1F6

★ 18:20 - 19:40 Dinner at Yabaton

Note: The Yabaton branch in the Meitetsu department store closed on February 28, 2026. Other Yabaton branches in Nagoya are still open, so please check the official website for the nearest one.

When it comes to famous restaurants in Nagoya, Yabaton is a name many people think of right away. It's a legendary miso-katsu restaurant, and the standout dish is Misokatsu, deep-fried pork topped with a rich miso sauce, perfectly sweet and savory, very fragrant, and importantly, not too heavy. The pork is crispy outside and tender inside, making it truly satisfying. Popular orders include Waraji Tonkatsu, an extra-large cutlet, and Teppan Tonkatsu, served sizzling on a hot iron plate over shredded cabbage, with staff pouring the sauce right in front of you — the sizzle and aroma are mouthwatering. Even though the wait can be fairly long in the evenings, especially on weekends, it's definitely worth trying.

・Food prices: ¥1,000 - 2,000

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Cost Summary (approximate price per person)

Food : ¥6,800

Transport : ¥1,260

Other expenses : ¥5,000

Total ：¥13,060