Inuyama Castle — Japan's Oldest Original Castle

**Climbing experience:** Inuyama Castle's staircases are famously steep (55° angle) and require climbing like a ladder — hold the handrails, use feet carefully, and consider physical limitations. The fourth-floor observation deck is the reward: 360° views over the Kiso River valley, unobstructed by modern glass barriers (only waist-high wooden railings). Fear of heights sufferers should skip the top floor or stay centered in the platform. **Original castle context:** Walking through Inuyama Castle feels fundamentally different from reconstructed castles — the wood creaks underfoot, the staircases show wear grooves from centuries of use, and the low ceilings reveal how much shorter people were in the 16th century. The castle has no elevators, climate control, or modern safety features beyond handrails added in the 20th century. This authenticity makes it invaluable but also fragile — visitor numbers are limited during peak times to prevent structural stress. **River valley views:** The observation platform offers views across the Kiso River into Gifu Prefecture — on clear days, you can see Mount Ontake (3,067m) to the northeast. The river below was historically a natural moat, and the castle's position on the cliff made it nearly impregnable from the north. During cherry blossom season (early April), the riverbanks bloom with hundreds of sakura trees visible from the castle. Cormorant fishing boat tours (ukai, ¥3,400, 1 hour) depart from the riverbank below the castle June–September — watch trained cormorants catch ayu (sweetfish) by torchlight, a 1,300-year-old tradition.