【Gujo Hachiman】A castle town known as the “Little Kyoto of Oku-Mino” with clear streams and famous spring water

Located almost in the center of Gifu Prefecture, Gujo Hachiman is known as the "Little Kyoto of Oku-Mino" and exudes a charming, nostalgic atmosphere. The beautifully preserved castle town, with its registered cultural properties such as Old Government Office Memorial Hall, is designated as an important traditional building preservation district by the Japanese government. You can enjoy a feeling of traveling back in time to the Edo period while sightseeing in this area.
Name
Gujo Hachiman
Address
Hachiman-cho, Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture , 501-4222
Website
http://www.gujohachiman.com/kanko/ (Gujo Hachiman Tourism Association)
Phone number
+81-575-67-0002 (Gujo Hachiman Tourism Association)
CONTENT

The soothing sound of water flowing through the waterways

水のまち

As the town is also known as the “Town of Water,” there are waterways extending throughout the area. Yoshida River, which flows east to west through the center of Gujo Hachiman, is recognized as one of the “Top 50 Famous Waters in Gifu Prefecture,” due to its clear water. If you want to spend some relaxing time listening to the gentle sound of the flowing water, be sure to visit this enchanting place.

Can you spot a large fish from the castle tower overlooking the historical landscape?

郡上八幡城

The Gujo Hachiman Castle, known as the “Castle in the Sky of Gifu and Oku-Mino,” serves as a symbol of the area. The castle is surrounded by nature, allowing you to enjoy different atmospheres depending on the season.

郡上八幡城

The fresh greenery surrounding the castle from spring to summer is picturesque, offering a calming view. The beautiful mountain castle, also known as Sekisui Castle, was abandoned in 1871 (Meiji 4) following the abolition of the feudal domain system. The following year, all its structures except the stone walls were dismantled. In 1933 (Showa 8), the castle was reconstructed based on the design of Ogaki Castle at the time, resulting in its current form. The four-story, five-floor wooden castle tower is designated as an important cultural property of Gujo City, and the surrounding stone walls are designated a prefectural historic site.

For history lovers, the castle offers fascinating stories, such as Oyoshi’s Story and the Ryosotai Squad, which is said to have fought alongside the Byakkotai. As you explore the steep slopes and the stone walls constructed using the Nozurazumi method of the Sengoku period, you can imagine the battles that took place at the time.

Don’t miss the view of the castle town from the castle tower. The town is said to resemble the shape of a fish, with the left side the head and the right side the tailfin. When you climb the castle tower, try to find the fish shape. The view of a large fish swimming leisurely among the mountains of Oku-Mino is a perfect representation of the “Town of Water, Gujo Hachiman.”

Explore the streets to the sound of flowing water and savor the exquisite local cuisine

絶品グルメ

As you walk through the streets of Gujo Hachiman, you’ll be greeted by enticing aromas. In addition to hearty fish and meat dishes, you can also enjoy strolling around and trying various foods. If you’re a fan of fish dishes, you should try Yoshidaya Mino Nishiki. Their signature dishes feature eel and sweetfish, allowing you to savor the flavors of their high-quality water. The ingredients they use are carefully selected, with the main sources being Hida, Mino, and Mikawa. Although the restaurant jokes about its “outdated menu,” which has continued for 130 years, it perfectly matches the nostalgic atmosphere of Gujo Hachiman.

For meat dishes, try Teppan Cuisine Izumisaka, where you can enjoy local cuisine and Hida beef. This restaurant offers seasonal flavors of Gujo at reasonable prices, making it popular among tourists. Enjoying a thick cut of Hida beef along with grilled Hoba Miso and Gujo-yaki, which uses plenty of local onions, at the stylish counter is a sublime experience.

Gujo Hachiman is also popular for its street food. For sweets, don’t miss Meiho Gelato, which offers a wide variety of gelato made with local ingredients, Marumitsu, where you can enjoy large pancakes wrapped in retro-style paper, and Higashi no Kumaya Okazuya Godaime, where you can take out gohei mochi and seasonal Japanese sweets. When you find a charming signboard, step inside and give it a try. You’re sure to find delicious gourmet treats waiting for you.

Enjoy the atmosphere of the Obon festival with the Gujo Odori, which is held for over 30 nights

郡上踊り

The traditional Bon dance, Gujo Odori, is held every year for a total of 31 nights from mid-July to early September. It is considered one of Japan’s three major Bon dances and one of the three major folk songs, and it was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2022. It is said to have originated when Keitoku Endo, the lord of Gujo Hachiman Castle during the early Edo period, gathered dances from various places to encourage the festival of Obon in the castle town in order to promote harmony among the people. The dance has a history of 400 years.

郡上踊り

Since both tourists and locals mix together and dance in a single circle, it is also called “a dance to dance, not to watch.” Every year, more than 300,000 people from all over the country gather, dressed in yukatas and clattering their geta (wooden sandals). The venue is fixed at one place per night, and throughout the summer, the dance travels around the city. Some days, the dance is held in the castle town or at a street corner, while other days it takes place in the precincts of an old shrine or a hotel parking lot halfway up a mountain. Although anyone can participate in their everyday clothes, the feeling of dancing in a yukata and geta is special. There are kimono shops that rent yukatas and geta stores that attach your favorite straps to the perfect platform for your feet, so you can dive right in.

The most exciting time is the four days from August 13, known as the all-night dance. Nowadays, the dance continues for up to nine hours, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next morning (4 a.m. on the 13th and 16th), with people forgoing sleep to keep dancing. Thanks to the 10 different songs and varying tempo of the music, it is said that people can dance for long periods without monotony. You can aim for the bustling all-night dance or join the more relaxed festival dance. Don’t miss the chance to participate in this historic Bon dance.

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