A Window into the Past in a 16th Century Castle Town

Those looking to escape the modern world will feel right at home in Gujo Hachiman. In the Edo period (1603-1868), the town served as a major stopover for travellers on the route connecting Nagoya to the Sea of Japan. Visitors will find that its cultural heritage established by craftsmen, artists and merchants lives on today.

Marvel at elegant Gujo Tsumugi woven silks and Gujo Honzome dyed in striking indigo hues, or come in summer to experience the Gujo Odori, a 400-year tradition considered one of the three most significant traditional bon dance festivals in all of Japan. Tucked away in the mountains of Gifu and isolated from the outside world, the town is a veritable time capsule, with streetscapes, architecture, and a distinctly traditional lifestyle sure to enchant the traveler.

Gujo Hachiman's town center is pleasantly compact and can be comfortably explored on foot or by renting a bicycle. Gujo is easily accessible from central Nagoya, with buses (about 80 to 90 minutes one-way) operating several times a day.