Inuyama

Hiking

Tsugao-san. A hike to Tsugao-san reveals more pleasant scenery near the Inuyama-jo. Start on the paved riverside trail at the base of Inuyama-jo. Follow the trail east past the Japan Monkey Park, then north to Jakko-in (built in 654), where the maples blaze in fall. Along the route are good views of the foothills stretching north from the banks of the Kiso-gawa. You can climb Tsugao-san or continue northeast to Obora Pond and southeast to Zenjino Station, where you can catch the Meitetsu Hiromi Line two stops back to Inuyama Station. The train passes through Zenjino four times an hour. From Inuyama-jo to Zenjino Station is an 8-km (5-mi) hike. Allow 2½ hours from the castle to the top of Tsugao-san; add another hour if you continue to Zenjino via Obora Pond.