Gujo Hachiman Castle

Gujo Hachiman Castle is Japan’s oldest wooden reconstructed castle. It was originally built in 1559 (Eiroku 2) by Endo Morikazu at the end of the Sengoku period. All stone walls throughout the castle grounds are designated as a Prefectural Historic Site, and the castle keep is designated as a City Tangible Cultural Property. Also called “Sekisui-jo,” it is wrapped in increasingly deep green mountain foliage as summer approaches. From late autumn to winter, on early mornings such as after rainfall—when humidity is high and temperatures suddenly drop—a sea of clouds can form around the castle, creating a strikingly fantastic scene. The grounds include about 100 deciduous broadleaf trees such as maples, and every year from early November, autumn foliage light-ups are held; on weekends, events such as wadaiko drumming and matchlock gun performances may also be hosted. From the keep, you can overlook layers of Okumino mountains and the castle town packed tightly into a narrow basin. The town is known as a home of Gujo ayu sweetfish, and it’s even said the whole town looks like the shape of an ayu when seen from above. The castle is also known for being praised by Shiba Ryotaro in “Kaidō o Yuku” as the most beautiful mountain castle in Japan.