Gujo Hachiman
Gujo Hachiman, A Castle Town In Gifu With Clear Water Running Through Its Streets And Canals, A Hilltop Castle, Carp, And A Summer Dance Festival, Gujo Odori, That Runs For More Than Thirty Nights. Quiet Outside The Dance Season. · Gujo, Gifu
Gujo Hachiman is a small castle town in the mountains of Gifu, built where the Yoshida River meets a tangle of smaller streams, and water is what the visit is about. Narrow canals run beside the lanes of old wooden houses, carp swim in them, and townspeople still use shared spring basins for washing vegetables and cooling drinks. A small hilltop castle, a wooden reconstruction from 1933 and often described as the oldest of its kind - confirm - looks down over grey roofs. In summer the town holds Gujo Odori, a dance festival spread over more than thirty nights, and on the Obon nights in mid August visitors can join all-night dancing in the street. It also calls itself Japan's centre for plastic food samples, and workshops let you make your own tempura. It suits slow walkers and festival fans. It is worth the detour from Nagoya or Gifu if you like small towns, and not worth it for a rushed hour outside the dance season.
Gujo Hachiman, Gujo, Gifu, a bus ride from Gifu Station or Nagoya; the old town is on the Yoshida River, Gujo, Gifu, Japan
The streets and canals are open at all hours and free. The castle and the small museums usually run from morning to about 17:00, with last entry earlier, and may close on one weekday or for winter breaks - confirm each one. Food-sample workshops are usually taken by the hour and some need a booking, especially in summer - confirm. Reach the town by direct highway bus from Gifu or Nagoya, roughly 70 to 100 minutes, or by the Nagaragawa Railway to Gujo-Hachiman Station and a bus or taxi into town - confirm timetables. Last buses leave early, and during the dance festival extra services and seat reservations apply. Carry cash for stalls and small shops.