The health, safety, and wellbeing of everyone involved in Gujo Odori is our most important concern. The evolving situation with COVID-19 makes holding our planned 31 nights of dancing in 2020 impossible. But don't worry, there is a plan we hope you will like, and one that we hope will not disappoint thousands of devoted Gujo Odori fans.
The Livestream dates and times are:
Note: All times listed are Japan Standard Time JST
Moving to a virtual stage will allow for anyone to be able to enjoy the music and songs and perhaps, space allowing, even dance! Performing on a virtual stage will also ensure the health and safety of everyone including musicians, singers, and of course participants; and for the first time ever, this will allow people outside Gujo Hachiman to experience Gujo Odori live!
For those want to experience Gujo Odori “together yet apart”, we encourage you to set up a live stream viewing party. This will allow you to follow your local social distancing guidelines, yet experience Gujo Odori together with other bon dance enthusiasts. Gujo Odori aficionados know that this festival has never been cancelling in its long history of over 450 years, and COVID-19 will not break this tradition.
We are in process of finalising the technical details, and we promise to keep you up to date on Facebook, Instagram and of course our home page at www.gujohachiman.com/kanko/index_e.php. Our goal is to allow as many people as possible to attend virtually and experience one of Japan’s three top bon dance festivals live.
We appreciate your patience and goodwill as we finalise our virtual Gujo Odori plans. The revised dates, times, and live streaming information will be updated on out Odori Schedule page at www.gujohachiman.com/kanko/odori_schedule_e.html.
All public museums and tourist attractions are now open, including Gujo Hachiman Castle.
All stores, restaurants, hotels, minshuku and other accommodations are now open.
Please follow all physical distancing guidelines; and some venues will require the wearing of a face mask to enter. You ongoing cooperation is appreciated.
COVID-19 related travel restrictions have disrupted many travel plans, and we are sorry if they have affected your plans to visit Gujo Hachiman. We encourage visitors to postpone travel instead of cancel.
In the meantime we offer you an immersive virtual visit. You can experience approximately 30 immersive 360 degree panoramas of important locations around town by visting our Virtual Visit page.
We will also be sharing selected immersive 360 degree panoramas to our Facebook page over the upcoming weeks. Note: The Virtual visit page is best enjoyed on a larger tablet or computer.
Between October and March mist, sometimes heavy, is often seen in the mountains surrounding the castle creating an ethereal effect when seen from above.
Visit Gujo Hachiman and you can expect to be immersed in an authentic small town Japanese experience unique to an "off the beaten path" town. Here the traditional way of living is on a very human scale. People passing each other in the street still greet each other with a small bow, and exchange a passing greeting.
Gujo Hachiman offers visitors a rare opportunity to see, and be part of, a traditional way of life that has changed little over many years.
Visitors to Gujo Hachiman may find the use of English somewhat limited, but can always expect a warm welcome wherever they may go in town.
Participate in a unique and accessible Japanese cultural event in a way few foreigners ever get to experience. Dance all night to traditional odori songs like "Kawasaki", "Harukoma" or "Gengen Bala Bala." Dance lessons are available daily at the Gujo Hachiman Kinenkan Tourist Centre at 11:00 am 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm. during Gujo Odori season. You can learn more about Gujo Odori here and find the start time and location of each day's dancing here.
Enjoy a truly authentic traditional ryokan or minshuku experience at any of the many ryokans or minshukus listed on the accommodation page. All these ryokans or minshukus are small, intimate, and family run. The Gujo Hachiman Kinenkan Tourist Centre can help you find the one that's right for you. Please note that accommodation during the Gujo Odori season is best booked well in advance. Learn more about surprisingly affordable ryokan and minshuku accommodation in Gujo Hachiman.
The Japanese garden at this small temple is simply magnificent. But more importantly, it is peaceful, soul restoring, and uncrowded. Be sure to listen for the "suikinkutsu" or "water harp cave". While the autumn colours are stunning, the other seasons also have their charms.
You can learn more about this beautiful temple and its garden on our Temples page. You will also find a link to Jion Ji's official website there.
Few people know that the ubiquitous plastic food sample seen outside virtually every restaurant in Japan was invented in Gujo Hachiman. Visit the place were 70% of Japan's "food samples" are made. Be sure to try your hand at making your very own lettuce leaf or shrimp tempura sample! Learn more
For a truly unique experience, wade into the Yoshida or Nagara River and try your luck at catching your dinner (A permit is required but easily obtained)! For the less adventurous, be sure to try this gourmet treat in restaurants around town! A local can point you in the right direction.
Named as one of the 5 Must-Ride Local Lines in Japan, a ride on the Nagara River Railway is a trip back in time to when travel was exciting but relaxing, and the views from trains were unmatched. The small "one man car" trains of the Nagara River Railway offer practical, relaxing, and hassle free transportation for visitors seeking to reach Gujo Hachiman from Mino Ota. And starting April 2016, the week-end only specially designed all first class "Nagara" offers a unique "not to be missed" rail experience daily between Mino Ota and Gujo Hachiman. Learn more about this unique rail service.
Gujo Hachiman offers a unique alternative to the hectic and sometimes overwhelming urban experience that Japan can be. It's a chance to collect your thoughts, reflect upon your amazing journey, and to connect with Japanese people, customs, and experiences that are unique to a small town.
This convenient pick-up service is timed to connect with the highway bus services offered by Kintetsu, Meitetsu and Nohi Bus companies. Gujo Hachiman is an intermediate stop on highway bus lines that serve Hida Takayama making it easy for visitors to stop off in Gujo Hachiman on the way to or from Hida Takayama.
A map showing the location of the highway bus stop. Click on the "View Larger Map" icon to open in Google Maps and navigate using Google Maps
Important: The highway bus stop is located along the Tokai Hokouriku Highway, approximately 2km out of the centre of town. Advance reservations are required BEFORE your highway bus departure from Nagoya, Takayama or Osaka. Fee : 350 yen
To make a reservation please call: 0120-053155 (9:00am~5:00pm )
Please refer to the pick-up service time table for bus arrival and departure times.
A view of Shokunin Machi looking towards Chokyou Ji temple.
The Japanese National Government, in 2013, designated 14.1 hectares in the centre of the central historic district as an "Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings." Specifically the buildings along Ote machi, Shokunin machi, Yanagi machi and Kajia machi. Visitors can easily find, and visit this historic area which surrounds the central Jokamachi Plaza. Download our free self-guided Historical Visit tour and map.
A view of Gujo Hachiman Station which was restored in 2017
The Japanese National Government has designated Gujo Hachiman Station, built in 1929, as an Important Cultural Property. The designation covers the station building, the platforms, and the bridge between the two platforms. The station is owned the Nagara River Railway and is part of the Samurai Line. You can visit the Samurai Line's Facebook Page to learn more about this rail link the joins Seki, Mino and Gujo Hachiman
A Nagara River Railway train pauses at Gujo Hachiman Station on its way southbound to Mino Ota.
It is easy to visit all the key sights and places in Gujo Hachiman on foot in one day. Overnight visitors may especially appreciate the calmness of the town in early evening and morning.
Download our Free City Map and start planing your visit!
You can also take a free self-guided tour. Download the free map and walking tour directions. Allow about 2 hours for the full visit which includes the historical centre of town. A self guided river walk tour is also available for free download. It's the perfect way to experience Gujo Hachiman in the Spring and Autumn.
Everyone is welcome to learn Gujo Odori. The Gujo Hachiman Hakurankan hosts daily Gujo Odori lessons in the two most important dances - Kawasaki and Haru Koma. The pace is relaxed, entertaining and easy to follow. Those wishing to simply observe are also welcome.
When: Daily at 11 am, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Lessons are in Japanese and English. Everyone is welcome and it's not difficult to join in.
Where: Gujo Hachiman Hakurankan, Tono machi near to Jokamachi Plaza
Adult Admission：520 JPY Children 310 JPY. Entry to the gift shop is free. Open daily except for New Year's holiday.
Visit the Website - English and Japanese
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Visit us in person:
Kinenkan Tourism Centre
501-4222
520-1, Shimadani,
Hachiman Cho,
Gujo Shi, Gifu ken,
Japan
Hours:
9:00 am - 5:00 pm daily
9:00 am - 6:00 pm during Gujo Odori season
Phone: 0575 67-0002
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HACHIMANCHO SHOKUNINMACHI WEATHER
