One-Day Nagoya - Inuyama Trip: Shrine Visit, Castle Views, and Street Food

Nagoya and Inuyama, two Aichi Prefecture cities with very different characters, make an easy one-day pairing. Nagoya is a large city with plenty of accommodation options, plus an international airport and Shinkansen access, so getting to Inuyama is easy — it only takes about half an hour. Inuyama may be a small town, but it's packed with attractions, including Inuyama Castle, a boat ride on the Kiso River, and a famous street food area. It makes an ideal day trip out of Nagoya, and here is how to fit it into one day.

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1-Day Nagoya - Inuyama Trip

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★ 9:00 AM: Depart from The Royal Park Canvas Nagoya

This well-equipped hotel sits near Yanagibashi Central Market, one of the country's leading markets, and — just as usefully — very close to the train station. It also offers a breakfast buffet package from 7:00 to 10:00 AM. Fuel up at the hotel before heading to Inuyama.

・MAP : https://maps.app.goo.gl/teL4p73Senz5jXKN8

★ 9:00 - 9:40 AM: Travel to Inuyama-Yuen Station and Take Photos in Front of the Station

The main station for visiting Inuyama. Besides being a train station, the area around it is also a great spot to photograph the beautiful view of the Kiso River — one of the best photo spots in Inuyama.

・How to get there: Walk 5 minutes (about 350 meters) from The Royal Park Canvas Nagoya to Nagoya Station, then take the Meitetsu Line to Inuyama-Yuen Station. Riding the Limited Express takes only about 28 to 30 minutes.

・Cost: 690 yen per person

・MAP : https://maps.app.goo.gl/DJzBreBiKY8FuPhX7

★ 10:00 - 10:30 AM: Pray at Sanko Inari Shrine

A well-known shrine in Inuyama, popular for writing wishes about love, family, or success on cute heart-shaped wooden plaques, then hanging them at the shrine. The atmosphere inside also has a warm, traditional Japanese feel — a must for couples and families.

・How to get there: From the station, you can walk through town to the shrine in about 14 minutes. If you'd rather walk along the Kiso River for the view, it takes about 20 minutes.

・Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

・Admission: Free

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cDKmN6T4hzTTYHs8A

★ 10:40 - 11:10 AM: Walk Around Inuyama Castle

Next, continue on to Inuyama Castle, a National Treasure of Japan. It's another must-visit spot during the cherry blossom season and autumn leaves season, since the area around the castle has soft pink cherry blossoms in spring and maple leaves that turn red in autumn. You can also go inside the castle and climb up for a view of the Kiso River from the top.

・How to get there: Walk from Sanko Inari Shrine to the Inuyama Castle ticket booth, about 2-3 minutes.

・Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM)

・Admission : Special ticket 760 yen (also covers museum entry), regular ticket 550 yen

・MAP : https://maps.app.goo.gl/PrC5TVsULS1VtmQP9

★ 11:15 - 11:45 AM: Inuyama Cultural History Museum

A museum showcasing the history of Inuyama. It's beautifully decorated inside, with a miniature model of the Edo-period town and many other antiques on display.

・How to get there: Walk 5 minutes (about 350 meters) from Inuyama Castle to the museum.

・Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

・Admission: Use the same ticket as the castle entry (regular price 300 yen)

・MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/E4tsDznLBfRxvrsU9

★11:45 - 12:15 PM: Karakuri Tenji-kan Museum

A museum that's part of the Inuyama Cultural History Museum, displaying Japan's traditional mechanical dolls, called “karakuri.” There are several dolls with different functions, such as a tea-serving doll and an arrow-shooting doll, powered by spring mechanisms from the Edo period.

・How to get there: In the same area as the Inuyama Cultural History Museum.

・Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

・Admission : Use the same ticket as the castle entry (regular price 300 yen)

・MAP : https://maps.app.goo.gl/E4tsDznLBfRxvrsU9

★ 12:15 - 14:15: Recommended Food Stops in Inuyama

Inuyama is a scenic town, and street food stalls cluster around its sightseeing spots. If you're planning a street food crawl, Inuyama is highly recommended.

Kisogawa Shouten

Refuel with fragrant charcoal-grilled fish from Kisogawa Shouten. The star is skewered grilled “ayu” fish, its natural sweetness balanced by just the right amount of salt. Definitely worth trying at least once.

・How to get there: Walk out from the museum and you'll find the shop diagonally across to the right.

・Hours: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed Tuesdays)

・Cost : about 1,000 - 2,000 yen per person

・MAP : https://maps.app.goo.gl/X6r7Nez5oFLQhjVt5

Ushiwakamaru

A grilled meat shop with a rare dish: Hida beef takoyaki, made with high-quality beef raised in Gifu Prefecture. The shop's sauce is a ginger-soy blend that gives it a real shine. There's also a kendama challenge for 100 yen — land the red ball on the stick in one try and you win a free Hida beef takoyaki, or if you land the ball on the side cup, you get a free drink.

・How to get there: About 3 minutes' walk from Kisogawa Shouten. The shop is in a food area called “Honmaru.”

・Hours: Monday - Thursday 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed Fridays), Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

・Cost : about 600 - 850 yen per person

・MAP : https://maps.app.goo.gl/ck1437fYcubcKGbV8

Juhyoya

A shop for grilled rice balls on skewers with a fragrant soy sauce glaze, served with the shop's special house-pickled vegetables. What makes this shop special is that the rice balls are randomly shaped, especially the rare heart shape — and it's believed that whoever gets the heart shape will have good luck in love.

・How to get there: About 4 minutes' walk from Ushiwakamaru, down the alley. The shop is on the right.

・Hours: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

・Cost : about 200 yen per person

・MAP : https://maps.app.goo.gl/gs4xwEXxWW6RNdga8

Inuyama Yoakeya

This shop is a café that also offers plenty of lunch sets. The must-try signature dish is “Ochazuke,” fragrant rice topped with tea broth and a big piece of madai (sea bream), incredibly appetizing.

*Some menu items require advance reservation only.

・How to get there: About 2 minutes' walk from Juhyoya, down the alley.

・Hours: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

・Cost : about 550 - 2,600 yen per person

・MAP : https://maps.app.goo.gl/RpyYbp4qtyTjWuaD8

Kuraya

Finish up at this sweets shop known for colorful dango — not only delicious, but also great for photos to share on social media.

・How to get there: About 3 minutes' walk from Inuyama Yoakeya, down the alley.

・Hours: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

・Cost : about 1,000 - 2,000 yen per person

・MAP : https://maps.app.goo.gl/pCPjrPYXeBatY2BbA

★ 14:30 - 16:00: Visit the Zoo and Monkey Museum (Japan Monkey Centre)

Note: From September 1 to October 18, 2026, Japan Monkey Centre is open only on weekends and public holidays. It then closes from October 19, 2026 for several years of rebuilding, so please check the official website before you go.

The world's largest zoo and museum specializing in primates, home to more than 60 species of primates, around 900 animals in total, including chimpanzees, gorillas, gibbons, lemurs, and other primates from various continents. You can also buy a special ticket to enjoy the rides at the adjoining amusement park. Whether it's a family trip, a couple's trip, or a trip with friends, it's well worth the visit.

・How to get there: A taxi is recommended. From Kuraya to the zoo takes about 10 minutes.

・Transport cost: about 800 - 1,000 yen

・Hours: Nov - Feb 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Mar - Oct 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

・Admission : Adults (high school and up): 600 - 800 yen
Elementary - junior high school: 400 yen
Ages 3 - 6: about 300 yen
Under 2: free

・MAP : https://maps.app.goo.gl/nkrgAYr3RfhPesRPA

★ 16:35 - 16:40: Travel Back to Nagoya

・How to get there: Take a taxi from Japan Monkey Centre to Inuyama-Yuen Station, about 5 - 7 minutes. Then take the Meitetsu Line Limited Express to Nagoya Station, about 28 minutes.

・Transport cost: Taxi about 800 yen, train ticket 690 yen per person

・MAP : https://maps.app.goo.gl/5immdFDtAKbnjdb66

★ 16:40 - 17:40 PM: Shop for Souvenirs at JR Gate Tower

Since you're in Nagoya, you should pick up some souvenirs. JR Gate Tower is a tall multi-story mall with a wide range of goods and plenty of restaurants, from fashion items and toys to duty-free products. The 51-story building also offers a fine evening view over Nagoya.

・How to get there: Use the connecting walkway from the train station straight into JR Gate Tower.

・Hours: The main mall, floors B2-11, is open 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM.

・MAP : https://maps.app.goo.gl/kgz6pdubouqwB5cp7

★ 17:45 - 18:45 PM: Dinner at Tsukemen TETSU

After a full day of walking around, finish up with hot tsukemen at Tsukemen TETSU. Try a rich, concentrated tsukemen broth — thick, chewy noodles dipped into a soup simmered for days, served with chashu pork or an onsen egg. A truly satisfying final meal.

・How to get there: Go up to the 12th floor of the mall, in the Gate Tower Plaza Restaurant District

・Hours: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM

・Cost : food priced 1,000 - 1,300 yen

・MAP : https://maps.app.goo.gl/HTyoWFcdnQCzmt9u9

★ 18:50 PM: Return to The Royal Park Canvas Nagoya

・How to get there: Use the walkway inside Nagoya Station to the hotel, about 5 minutes.

・MAP : https://maps.app.goo.gl/1TcycbzgWeiQGdcT8

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Cost Summary (Approximate Price Per Person)

Accommodation : 4,800 yen (including hotel breakfast package)

Food : 6,350 yen

Transportation : 3,180 yen

Admission fees : 1,560 yen

Total ：15,890 yen