Exploring Gujo Hachiman

A weekend in rural Gifu Prefecture

Mandy Bartok Apr 07, 2016 - 1 minutos de lectura

The cobbled street near Sogi Sui, a water spring where locals once washed clothes and vegetables

A building in one of Gujo's historic districts

The Yoshida River that runs through the center of Gujo Hachiman

Gujo Hachiman Castle is a modern reconstruction but has a history that dates back centuries

Dancers at the Hakurankan, demonstrating one of the Gujo Odori dances

The exterior of Sample Kobo, where a vast majority of Japan's plastic food replicas are produced

An employee at Sample Kobo makes plastic food replicas of shrimp tempura

Plastic food that looks almost good enough to eat

Gujo Hachiman is home to many small shops and boutiques, most of which sell products made in Japan

A spacious, comfortable room at the Nakashimaya Ryokan in central Gujo Hachiman

Breakfast is a sizable spread at Nakashimaya Ryokan

Gujo Hachiman is a small town that sits in the mountains of western Gifu Prefecture. The town is renowned for the clarity of its water and the entire city is crisscrossed by three major rivers and numerous small channels and wells. Gujo Hachiman castle sits on a peak overlooking the town, and the hike to the top is rewarding in autumn when the nearby maples are ablaze. In any season, visitors can stroll the historic streets, make plastic food samples at one of several workshops or join in the fun of learning a few dance moves at the Hakurankan, a museum dedicated to Gujo''s famed three-month summer festival.

Gujo Hachiman can be reached via highway bus from Takayama or Nagoya, or by train from Gifu City.