From 1 February join local fishermen fishing for Amago (a type of trout) in the Nagara and Yoshida rivers.

Hakusan Shrine hosts an amazake or "Sweet Sake" festival celebrating the end of winter. Here participants have a chance to sample sweet unfiltered sake that is mild enough that even children can drink a little!

Celebrating the wish and hope for a daughter's good health and growth, Hina Matsuri or "Girl's Day" is observed in early March by displaying traditional "hina" dolls. Look for these displays of dolls on stepped shelves in the various shops and businesses around town beginning 3rd March until 3rd April.

Gujo Hachiman's mountain location means visitors can enjoy stunning views of fragrant cherry blossoms after the blooms have faded in other places. But best of all, you can enjoy these views without the crowds common in larger cities. Around the first week of April - check the sakura forecast on the local news.

A lively lion dance festival performed in the streets by local children and shinto priests. Follow the festival as it winds its way through the narrow streets of the town, stopping in front of local businesses to bless them and bring good fortune for the coming year.

On the first Sunday of May, learn traditional indigo dying, wood carving, bamboo crafts, and other traditional arts and pastimes taught by local masters through many one-day courses offered around town. Enrollment is through the Gujo Hachiman Tourist Association at the Kinenkan Tourist Centre.

From early May each year, visitors have the opportunity to tour Gujo Hachiman in a jinriksha. This sightseeing experience offers a slightly higher viewpoint of the passing scenery than is usual when walking, and recreates the feeling of ancient times when a jinriksha was a common sight in the streets. Jokamachi Plaza and Kinenkan Tourist Centre.

A traditional summer past-time; fisherman both local and from all over Japan take to the rivers to cool off, relax, and test their skill at catching this delicious fresh water delicacy. Fresh ayu is available only in the summer, and can be enjoyed grilled in many restaurants and ryokans around Gujo Hachiman from June until late September.

For those in Tokyo unable visit Gujo Hachiman yet who want to experience this significant cultural event, Gujo Odori goes to Tokyo! For 2 days, on the third week-end in June, the traditional dance festival is celebrated and performed in Aoyama. Enjoy the echo of traditional Gujo Odori songs amidst the skyscrapers in downtown Tokyo.

A traditional summer past-time popularized in traditional movies and literature that has all but disappeared from major urban locations. Join locals as they spend a magical relaxing evening enjoying this wonder of nature.

Tanabata Festival is the Star Festival based on a Chinese legend of two star-crossed lovers. In celebration children write their secret wishes on strips of fancy rice paper, which are then folded and tied to bamboo trees.

Celebrating the opening of the two month long Gujo Odori dance festival, the opening ceremony is held on the evening of the first night of dancing.

A local summer "farmers market" held in front of the Kinenkan Tourist Centre and in Jokamachi Plaza featuring fresh local produce and handicrafts for sale at reasonable prices.

Watch as local kids, and kids from all over Japan, compete in a diving competition from the 12 metre high Shinbashi bridge in downtown Gujo Hachiman. Participants are judged based on style, accuracy, and bravery!

Renku is a short poem in which the poet expresses his/her feelings with a poem in 5-7-5-7-7 syllabic structure. Every summer contestants gather to compete at Sogisui Shrine.

With its roots in the Edo period, the Kezuke Night Market began as a horse trading market. Now it's a lively summer night market featuring a variety of crafts and goods for sale in Tonomachi Street.

In early August, on the nights of all night dancing during Gujo Odori, look for fireworks on Hachiman mountain near the castle. The quintessential Japanese summer experience!

For four magical nights at Obon in August, dancers revel in the streets until the morning dawn breaks over the surrounding mountains. The dancing hits a feverish pitch as the singer is encouraged to continue by the dancers, and the dancers respond to the songs chosen by the singer.

A small summer festival consisting of tea ceremony, a poetry contest and fireworks, held beside Sogi Sui in recognition of the cultural significance of this water spring.

Join dancers on the last night of this culturally significant festival. On this evening the dancing begins in front of the Kinenkan Tourist Centre and then continues as a parade through the town as the festival concludes.

See a traditional type of Ayu river fishing from the side of the Nagara river at Inari, across the river from the Gujo Hachiman railway station.

Mukashi Odori (Old Style Gujo Odori)
(secret date)

Also known as country kabuki, come and join in at the local school to watch excerpts of famous kabuki plays performed by local school children, their teachers and others in celebration of the autumn rice harvest.

A local autumn "farmer's market" held in front of the Kinenkan Tourist Centre and in Jokamachi Plaza featuring fresh local produce and handicrafts for sale at reasonable prices.

A street festival and market with a samurai parade though the main streets of downtown Gujo Hachiman.

This festival celebrating the arrival of Autumn includes tea ceremony, Gujo Odori dancing at Jokamachi Plaza, and a re-enactment of an Edo period samurai battle fought by the local feudal lord of the period, Endo Morikazu.

As the winter approaches, some like to take to the local forests in search of "shi shi" or wild boar and other wild game. Many local restaurants celebrate the beginning of the hunting season by offering special wild game themed menus and meals.

Used to create seasonal decorations, similar to Christmas wreathes in the West, Nanten, known as "heavenly bamboo," has bright red berries and is grown in a small village near Gujo Hachiman. Nanten is often made into special New Years decorations that are believed to bring good luck for the upcoming new year.