A new photo-based town walking experience is launching in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture. Called Inuyama Photo Quest, the event is organized by the local community space Inuyama Garage and kicks off on June 13. At its center is local photographer Kimura Yoshihiro, who personally designed all four photo quest spots around the city, creating a route that draws visitors away from the typical tourist path and into the lesser-known corners of Inuyama.
Background
Inuyama City draws many visitors each year, largely thanks to Inuyama Castle — a designated National Treasure. However, the flow of tourists tends to concentrate along the stretch between the station and the main castle town street, leaving side alleys, seasonal spots, and quieter parts of the city largely undiscovered.
Inuyama Photo Quest was created with the idea of shifting the focus from simply "seeing a famous sight" to "discovering the town itself," offering visitors a new way to experience Inuyama beyond its most well-known attraction.
Event Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Inuyama Photo Quest |
| Location | Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture (base: Inuyama Garage) |
| Participation Fee | ¥1,500 (includes an Inuyama Castle postcard and kinako-bo set) |
| Course Options | Ashigaru Course (approx. 60 minutes) / Busho Course (approx. 90 minutes) — visiting 4 photo spots around the city |
| Reception Hours | 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays) |
| How to Join | Pre-register and make a reservation via the official LINE account, then visit Inuyama Garage on the day |
How It Works
- Pre-register and complete a reservation via the official LINE account
- Pick up the quest instruction sheet (photo spot map) at Inuyama Garage
- Visit all four photo spots around the city at your own pace and take photos
- Return to Inuyama Garage after completing all four spots to receive a commemorative gift
Three Unique Features
① Routes Designed by a Locally Based Photographer
Rather than just providing oversight, Kimura Yoshihiro — a photographer who lives in Inuyama — personally selected and designed every spot. The routes connecting each photo spot have also been planned so that the scenery along the way is beautiful, making the journey itself a meaningful part of the experience.
② Exploring Beyond the Main Street
The routes include back alleys, lesser-known landmarks, and seasonal spots not typically featured in guidebooks, encouraging visitors to venture well beyond the main tourist street. This helps extend visitor stays and promotes activity across a wider area of the city.
③ Memorable Keepsakes to Take Home
Participants who complete all four spots can receive commemorative items such as accessories made from Inuyama-yaki pottery and original stickers. The photos taken along the way also become a personal record of the visitor's own Inuyama — a memento of moments discovered, not just places visited.
