Gujo Hachiman Castle Town Plaza, Gifu

Gujo Hachiman Castle Town Plaza serves as the central hub of one of Japan's most well-preserved historic castle towns, located in Gifu Prefecture. The town was constructed in the 16th century following the completion of the Gujo Hachiman Castle, with Endo Tsunetomo undertaking a major renovation of the castle in 1667 during Edo period and building a castle town of water which remained the same up to the present day. After being completely destroyed by fire in 1652, the town was rebuilt in 1660 by Endo Tsunetomo with an ingenious network of small waterways connected to the surrounding rivers built throughout the town to safeguard it from fire.

The plaza represents the cultural heart of what is known as Japan's "Water City," where centuries-old traditions remain deeply integrated into daily life. Gujo Hachiman townspeople's bond and unique traditions with water have been passed down for over 400 years and become the symbol of this old castle town. Gujo's waterways function in much the same capacity as they did in the 1600s, with locals still using the springs and canals for washing vegetables and rice. The famous Sogi-sui spring and the flower-lined canals of Igawa Lane and Yanaka Lane exemplify this living water heritage.

The main plaza is located just a short walk from the castle and features dozens of family owned shops, specialty stores, and restaurants for locals and travelers to enjoy at their leisure. Visitors can experience the town's renowned Gujo Odori dance, which was originally organized by the lord of the castle in the Edo period so that people of all classes could pull down the class barrier. The plaza also provides access to traditional craftsmanship workshops and local specialties that reflect the region's artisanal heritage.

Transportation to Gujo Hachiman Castle Town Plaza requires connecting through major cities. From Nagoya Station, take the Gifu Bus High-Speed Nagoya Gujo Hachiman Line directly to Gujo Hachiman Castle Town Plaza, costing ¥2,260 one-way or ¥4,100 for a round-trip ticket, taking about an hour and a half. By train, take the JR Takayama Line from Gifu Station to Mino-Ota Station (about 40 minutes) and change to the local Nagaragawa Railway for Gujo Hachiman. From Gujo-Hachiman Station, ride the Mame Bus for 20 minutes to Gujo Hachiman Castle Town Plaza. Admission to the castle grounds is free, while individual adult admission inside the castle costs ¥400 for adults and ¥200 for children.