Why is Inuyama Castle, one of Japan's National Treasure Five Castles, historically called the White Emperor Castle?

Japan's National Treasure Five Castles include Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture, Matsumoto Castle in Nagano Prefecture, Inuyama Castle in Aichi Prefecture, Matsue Castle in Shimane Prefecture, and Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture. This time, we visited Inuyama Castle. Having recently visited Hikone Castle and Himeji Castle, only Matsumoto Castle and Matsue Castle remain on our list. We purchased the Inuyama Castle Town Pass. Purchase location: Meitetsu ticket counter inside Meitetsu Nagoya. Pass price: 1380 yen. Pass contents: 1. Round-trip train ticket from Nagoya to Inuyama Station or Inuyama Yuen Station (Meitetsu, ticket can be directly inserted into the gate). 2. Inuyama Castle admission voucher (exchange for a ticket at the Inuyama Castle ticket office). 3. Yūraku-en admission discount coupon. 4. Castle Town shopping discount coupon. Our itinerary focused on not retracing our steps. We got off at Inuyama Yuen Station and strolled along the Kiso River, which was as calm as a mirror, with sandbanks and stones emerging from the water, reminiscent of the Yangtze River near the Three Gorges. We passed by Haritsuna Shrine and Sanko Inari Shrine, where pink heart-shaped ema (votive plaques) were placed everywhere. There was even a place for 'money washing.' After exchanging our tickets, we were ready to 'attack the castle.' It is said that a Confucian scholar from the Edo period named the castle based on a poem by Li Bai, which feels similar to how our real estate projects like to adopt foreign names. There is also a small bridge by the river called Caiyun Bridge. Japanese elderly women are quite fit; four of them climbed the castle tower together, discussing who would lead the way while panting. Upon reaching the top, the view of the water, mountains, and sandbanks made me wonder if the Edo period scholar had traveled the Yangtze River to Chongqing. Of course, the Yangtze River water is only this clear in autumn and winter. This White Emperor Castle name was surprisingly accurate. However, the Kiso River is far less picturesque than the Yangtze. After touring, don't rush out; stamp your ticket near the exit before leaving. We briefly explored Castle Town before heading back to Nagoya for HARBS. For those who enjoy snacks, Inuyama Castle Town is a great place to wander and eat. Fun fact: Dogs (pets) are not allowed in Inuyama Castle. #InuyamaCastle #InuyamaCastleTown #Nagoya #NagoyaTravel #JapanNationalTreasure #JapanNationalTreasureFiveCastles #OffTheBeatenPath