See Dance in a 16th- Century Castle Town

Experience a timeless corner of Japan in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture

Gujo Hachiman is a beautiful town in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture renowned for its rivers, canals and waterways, and its lively bon dance festival. 

In the Edo period (1603–1868), Gujo Hachiman was a major stopover 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. The town is a veritable time capsule, with streetscapes, architecture, and a traditional lifestyle sure to enchant the traveler.

Marvel at elegant Gujo Tsumugi woven silks and Gujo Honzome dyed in striking indigo hues, or put on your yukata robe and experience the Gujo Odori—a 400-year-old summer dance festival considered one of the most culturally important of its kind in Japan. It’s held for 31 nights between July and September, with all-night revelry for four nights in mid-August. Visitors can enjoy the festival with the help of Sugi Interface, a tour providing all the essentials to get in on the merriment. Participants will learn how wear a yukata robe, the basic steps of the dance, and a guide will be there to lead them into the dance circle.

Gujo Hachiman's town center is pleasantly compact and can be comfortably explored on foot or by renting a bicycle. 

Sugi Interface