One of Japan's twelve original surviving castle towers and a National Treasure, built in 1537 above the Kiso River. Its watchtower-style top floor with open veranda offers 360-degree views — befitting its poetic name Hakutei Castle. Privately owned by the Naruse family until 2004. Over 800,000 visitors come annually to explore this landmark and its well-preserved historic castle town.

Inuyama Castle is said to have been built in 1537 by Oda Nobuyasu, an uncle of Oda Nobunaga, on a hill along the southern bank of the Kiso River. It is also traditionally held that Nobuyasu's father, Oda Yojiro, constructed a fort on the site as early as 1528. Throughout the Sengoku period, the cast…