Gujo Hachiman Castle Town

Gujo Hachiman Castle Town is known as the “Little Kyoto of Oku-Mino,” where old streetscapes soothe visitors. The town contains 13 temples, and seasonal scenery such as cherry blossoms and autumn leaves can be enjoyed. A network of waterways runs through the town; even today, locals use them as daily-life water, for example to cool vegetables and fruit. The castle town area has been designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. In the craftspeople’s and blacksmiths’ quarters, the townhouses are characterized by narrow frontages and deep interiors—often called “eel’s beds.” Another distinctive feature is the presence of “sodekabe” (sleeve walls), partitions along the border between neighboring houses. These walls not only support the structures but were also added to prevent the spread of fire. Yanagi-machi was historically home to middle- and lower-ranking samurai during the Edo period, and you can still see rows of continuous sleeve walls there. At the Gujo Hachiman Hakurankan museum in Yanagi-machi, you can watch authentic Gujo Odori dance performances every day. As you walk, you can feel that this townscape is not only preserved but also sustained by people who still live here and continue daily life while protecting it.