West Route
Day3
Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
Toyota Group transformed its first factory into a grand museum for the public to gain access to the historical journey of Toyota's empire. Established by Sakichi Toyoda, its mission is to share the knowledge of Japanese manufacturing technology accumulated since its founding to inspire the next generation. The building used to be a loom factory as the textile industry was at its peak back in the day. The original machinery and equipment used during the textile boom are also available for viewing aside from the numerous vintage cars displayed. The museum also features the age of steam engines, a creative workshop for the young minds, the industry and technology exhibit, a library room, and a lot more. After enjoying the halls of the museum, your family can have a cuppa at its restaurant or café and relax in its peaceful ambience.
Inuyama Castle
Built in 1537, it is one of Japan's oldest existing castles with its original structure still intact, gaining a title as a national treasure. Its original interior is a remembrance of Japan's feudal age that ended in 1867. It was also the first castle of Oda Nobunaga – a powerful daimyo who is the Great Unifier of Japan.
Inuyama Castle Town Ticket
Grab a great deal with this ticket bundle to Inuyama Castle Town for only 1,380 yen. You'll get discounts at various shops, cafes, and restaurants around the vicinity, plus a discounted round-trip ticket for all stations on the Meitetsu Line, and a free admission to one of Japan's original, surviving castles – Inuyama Castle. While you save on travel expenses, your family can learn more about and experience ancient Japan.
https://www.meitetsu.co.jp/files/osusume/inuyama-sanpo/eng/ticket_info/index.html
Take a stroll around Inuyama Castle Town
Don a kimono in one of the rental kimono shops at the castle town and wander around its historic streets lined with shops, cafes, restaurants, and workshops. Savour decadent traditional Japanese sweets and washoku (Japanese cuisine), take photos at several picturesque spots including a shrine famous for matchmaking, and conclude the stroll with a relaxing tea time at a 100-year-old Japanese tea house.
https://www.meitetsu.co.jp/files/osusume/inuyama-sanpo/eng/spot/index.html
Gifu Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River
A Japanese Cormorant, or umiu in Japanese, is a large-sized bird with a black body, white-feathered neck, and yellow beak. This specific type of bird has been domesticated by Cormorant Fishing Masters called usho to catch ayu (Japanese sweetfish) in a 1,300-year-old tradition called ukai. At sundown, observe a long wooden boat guided by a blazing fire lantern on its bow as it floats along Nagara River with the umius leading the boat to where the ayu is. Only a handful of Ushos can practice this tradition as they were appointed by the Imperial family and the title can only be passed down from father to son.
East route
