Gujō Hachiman-jō

Central Honshū


Twenty minutes' hike from Jōka-machi Plaza bus terminal you'll find the pride of Gujō, a 1933 reconstruction of the previous fortress, originally constructed in 1559 but destroyed in the Meiji period. The handsome hilltop castle contains various weaponry and has wonderful views across the valley. There's no access by public transport.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Central Honshū attractions

1. Hakurankan

0.25 MILES

Housed in the Taisho-era tax office, this museum and cultural centre is a one-stop shop for Gujō-Hachiman history and culture. Exhibits include historical…

2. Nagara River Ukai Museum

23.83 MILES

This newish museum is one of a kind, featuring exhibits on everything you could possibly want to know about cormorant fishing in Japan.

3. Gifu-jō

24.3 MILES

Perched atop Kinka-zan and with sweeping views over the cities of Gifu and Nagoya, this castle is a 1956 concrete replica of daimyō Oda Nobunaga's…

4. Kinka-zan Ropeway

24.32 MILES

Gifu's castle is most easily reached by this cable car within Gifu-kōen, whisking you 329m to the summit in under five minutes.

5. Gifu-kōen

24.37 MILES

At the foot of Kinka-zan, this is one of the loveliest city parks in Japan, with plenty of water and trees set into the hillside. People have been living…

6. Nawa Insect Museum

24.42 MILES

On the grounds of Gifu-kōen is this quirky collection of more than 300,000 beetle, butterfly, moth and other insect specimens. It's the personal…

7. Gifu City History Museum

24.45 MILES

Located within the grounds of Gifu-kōen, this museum focuses on the Sengoku period, when daimyō Oda Nobunaga was at the height of his power. Enthusiastic…

8. Shōhō-ji (Gifu Great Buddha)

24.53 MILES

The main attraction of this orange-and-white temple is the papier-mâché daibutsu (Great Buddha; c 1832), one of the three Great Buddha statues of Japan…