Gujo Hachiman
郡上八幡
The 'Water Castle Town' on the Yoshida River, with spring-fed canals, a wooden castle keep and Gujo Odori dancing on summer nights. A convenient detour between Takayama and Nagoya.
Gujo Hachiman lies in Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture. The Yoshida River, a tributary of the Nagara River, flows through the town, and canals crisscross its castle-town streets, earning it the name 'Water Castle Town'. Highlights include the Sogi Spring, selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Waters; the old streets of Yanagi-machi and Shokunin-machi along the canals; and Gujo Hachiman Castle, which overlooks the whole town. Rebuilt in 1933, it is one of the earliest wooden reconstructed keeps in Japan. Admission is about ¥400. The town is also a major center of Japanese food replicas, with workshops where you can try making them. From mid-July to early September, Gujo Odori is held on about 30 nights. During the Obon period from August 13 to 16, the dancing continues all night. It is one of Japan's three major Bon dances. Getting there: from Takayama, it takes about 1 hour 15 minutes by car via the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway or by expressway bus. From Nagoya, it takes about 1.5 hours.
Opening hours
All day (Gujo Hachiman Castle approx. 09:00–17:00)
Nearby sights
- Hida Ichinomiya Minashi Shrine
- Hida Folk Village
- Takayama Jinya
- Jinya-mae Morning Market
- Hida Kokubun-ji
- Nakabashi Bridge
- Sanmachi Suji Old Town
- Shiroyama Park (Takayama Castle Ruins)