Last Updated: Dec 12, 2023

Inuyama Castle

Japan’s Oldest Surviving Medieval Fortress

This story was originally published on donnykimball.com and has been syndicated here on Medium

Those who have visited Japan in the past are likely already aware that the country is home to a great many medieval-style fortresses. Alas, only a few of the structures in this collection are actually historic buildings. In fact, just twelve of the numerous castles are originals. The remaining ones are ferroconcrete reconstructions that were assembled in later years to recapture the losses Japan endured following the shift to modernity during the late 1800s. While these newer buildings often housed an impressive collection of historical artifacts, there’s just something special about experiencing the real McCoy.

Though there are indeed a variety of more convenient options for exploring Japanese castles, those on the hunt for authenticity are encouraged to visit one of the twelve originals. Here, there are few spots better than Aichi Prefecture’s Inuyama Castle. Widely considered to be the oldest of the surviving medieval strongholds, this national treasure was erected as far back as the year 1537. Moreover, the castle also stands atop a small hill next to the Kiso River meaning that it has a commanding view of the surrounding land. While there have certainly been some modern additions for the purpose of preservation, the main keep’s wood-and-rock facade…