Destination Inuyama　犬山へ行こう！
A hop, skip, and a short train ride north of Nagoya, the scenic countryside around the city of Inuyama is home to some of the best days out that Aichi Prefecture has to offer.

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Shooting The Nihon Rhine Rapids 日本ライン下り
The 13 km stretch of the Kiso River 木曽川between Mino-ota and Inuyama is considered to be one of the most scenic river landscapes in Japan and is nicknamed the Nihon Rhine after the river of the same name in Germany. Shooting the rapids in a traditional wooden boat stirred by traditionally-clad skillful oarsmen is a thrilling way of experiencing the river’s stunning landscape.

■When: March and November.
■Access: The Inuyama Bashi reception area is a 5 minute walk from (Meitetsu) Inuyama Yuen Station, East Exit 犬山遊園. A free shuttle bus is available from the Inuyama Bashi reception area to take rafters upstream to the Ota Bashi boat departure point.

- The tour takes just under 2 hours from start to finish - including the 1 hour raft trip.
- Waterproofs are not needed, and boat departures may be cancelled due to adverse weather.

■Cost: Adults 3400 Yen, children (6-12) 1700 Yen. Reservations are not needed for individuals and small groups. Discount tickets are available from Circle K and Sunkus stores.
■Website: www.kisogawa-kankou.com 

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Japan Monkey Park 日本ﾓﾝｷｰﾊﾟｰｸ

Located on a hillside in the Aichi countryside, this half amusement park / half zoo is crammed with attractions for all the family. Due to the hillside location of the park, the weather can be changeable; come prepared.
The amusement park has over 30 rides for all ages including a log flume, a large Ferris wheel, merry-go-rounds, and a roller coaster; some age and height restrictions apply. Single rides cost between 200 and 500 Yen, but a one day passport which includes admission fee and an unlimited pass for attractions is a popular and less expensive way to enjoy the park. The zoo section is monkey centric – as the name of the park suggests – and most inhabitants enjoy relatively large, free, natural enclosures. Some monkeys even traverse overhead monkey bars - make sure you cover your head as you pass through the park’s “drop zones”. You can even freely walk around an island enclosure that is home to 3 small varieties of monkey.

■Open: Hours vary by season. During May & June open weekdays 10:00 - 17:00, weekends & holidays 09:30 - 18:00 - see website for other periods.
■Admission
Park Admission: Adults 1600 Yen, children (aged 3+) 800 Yen.
Ride Coupons: 2000 Yen (2300 Yen value).
One-day passport: Adults 3900 Yen, children (6 -12) 3200 Yen, children (3-6) 2400 Yen. Advanced discounted park admission tickets, passports, and ride coupons only available at Circle K and SunKus.
■Website: www.japan-monkeypark.jp 

■Access: A 4 minute monorail ride from Meitetsu Inuyama Yuen Station 犬山遊園. Get off at Dobutsuen Station 動物園; costs 150 Yen - (monorail only available until 12/27/2008).
There: 09:20, between 09:59 and 16:29 at :29, :59, last 16:44
Return: 09:26, between 10:06 and 16:36 at :06, :36, last 16:59 (17:06 on weekends / holidays)
Inuyama Yuen Station is an express stop, on the Inuyama Meitetsu Line; take a train bound for Meitetsu Gifu 名鉄岐阜(via Inuyama犬山) or Shin Unuma 新鵜沼.

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Meiji-Mura 明治村

Meiji-Mura is an open-air museum preserving and displaying Japanese architecture of the Meiji period (1868-1912). Many Meiji-period buildings, including those of the highest artistic and historic value, have been lost to earthquakes, the allied bombing campaign in WW2, and rapid post-war growth industrial growth.

Valuable buildings that were going to be destroyed, were brought to Meiji-mura and were reconstructed in their original appearance; over 60 historic buildings including 10 important cultural properties are on show. Two railroads have been laid in the village and the first Meiji streetcars and steam locomotives are operated to provide visitors with transportation.

■Open: Daily 09:30 - 17:00 (until 16:00 Nov - Feb)
■Admission: Adults 1600 Yen, over 65s 1200 Yen, SHS students 1000 Yen, and 6 to 15s 600 Yen (free on Saturdays).
■Website: www.meijimura.com 
Please note that Guide Books (in English) are sold at the museum shop.

■Access: A 20 min shuttle bus ride from Inuyama Station’s east exit 犬山駅 東口 (Meitetsu Inuyama line); adults 410 Yen, children 210 Yen. Shuttle Bus Times from Inuyama Station (valid until 10/31) are listed on below.

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This article originally appeared in the Nagoya Calendar May 2009 edition. All prices, opening times, and season finish dates may vary. Please check with the individual resort before departure.