Surrounded by the Ryohaku Mountains (両白山地), Gujo City (郡上市) is located in the middle part of Gifu Prefecture.  On March 1, 2004 the city was born after merging seven small municipalities of Gujo County (郡上郡): Hachiman Town (八幡町), Yamato Town (大和町), Shiratori Town (白鳥町), Takasu Village (高鷲村), Minami Village (美並村), Meiho Village (明宝村) and Wara Village (和良村).  Now it has an area of 1,030.79 sq. km, and the current population is 45,614 (March 1, 2009): the density is 44.3 persons/sq. km.  Most people live along the Nagara River (長良川).  The area widely known as "Gujo-Hachiman" is not the city name: Precisely, Hachiman-cho (八幡町) of Gujo City (郡上市) now.
  Although the area has very heavy snow in winter, Hachiman-cho, the center of the city, is very famous for "Gujo-odori" (郡上おどり: the Gujo Dance Festival) which is annually held on the 32 nights between middle July and early September: the highlight is "Urabone" (盂蘭盆会: the Bon Festival; the Feast of Lanterns on the 15th of July by the lunar calendar), also known as "Tetsuya-odori" (徹夜踊り: the all-night dance) which is held between August 13 and 16 in the solar calendar.
  Personally, I have longed to visit Gujo-Hachiman (郡上八幡) after having watched the NHK morning drama Sakura (『さくら』) in 2002.  In the drama Keisuke Katsuragi (桂木 慶介) was born and raised up in Gujo-Hachiman.  He once took Sakura here during the "Gujo-odori" festival.  I was much impressed with the sympathetic atmosphere.

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Joka-machi Plaza

Gujo-Hachiman Joka-machi Plaza (郡上八幡城下町プラザ), located in the city center of Gujo City, is the threshold of Gujo City for tourists coming by bus from Gifu City or Nagoya City as well as Gujo-Hachiman Station (郡上八幡駅) of Etsuminan Line (越美南線) of Nagaragawa Tetsudo (長良川鉄道: Nagaragawa Railway). The address is 69 Tonomachi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City (郡上市八幡町殿町69).

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(Tuesday 17 March) Gujo-Hachiman Joka-machi Plaza, 69 Tonomachi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Gujo-Hachiman Joka-machi Plaza, 69 Tonomachi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City: Selling the local products.

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(Tuesday 17 March) Billboard of Gujo as the birthplace of Chiyo Yamauchi (山内千代, 1557-1617), indicating the direction for the statues of the famous couple Chiyo and Kazutoyo Yamauchi (山内一豊, 1545-1605) who ruled Tosa (土佐: now Kochi), Gujo-Hachiman Joka-machi Plaza, 69 Tonomachi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

Hotel Yoshidaya

Hotel Yoshidaya (吉田屋) is a famous Japanese restaurant/hotel located at 160 Tono-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City (郡上市八幡町殿町160). Founded in the 13th year of Meiji (1880), they were the first restaurant serving "Unagi (eel) dishes in the district.

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(Tuesday 17 March) Hotel Yoshidaya, 160 Tono-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Interior of Hotel Yoshidaya, 160 Tono-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Shishinabe-gozen" (しし鍋御膳: Brawn Stew Plate Meal, 2800 yen), Hotel Yoshidaya, 160 Tono-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Shishinabe-gozen" (しし鍋御膳: Brawn Stew Plate Meal, 2800 yen), Hotel Yoshidaya, 160 Tono-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

Hakuryu-inari-jinjya

Hakuryu-inari-jinjya Shrine (白龍稲荷神社) is locate in Tono-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City (郡上市八幡殿町). The origin of the shrine is unknown.

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(Tuesday 17 March) Hakuryu-inari-jinjya Shrine, Tono-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Hakuryu-inari-jinjya Shrine, Tono-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Hakuryu-inari-jinjya Shrine, Tono-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Hakuryu-inari-jinjya Shrine, Tono-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

An-nyo-ji Temple

Engo-zan An-nyo-ji Temple (遠郷山安養寺) is located at 217 Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City (郡上市柳町217). Founded by Takashige Sasaki (佐々木 高重) in 1256, it belongs to the Jodo-shin-shu Otani-ha sect of Buddhism.

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(Tuesday 17 March) San-mon Gate (山門), Engo-zan An-nyo-ji Temple, 217 Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Engo-zan An-nyo-ji Temple, 217 Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

Gujo-Hachiman Castle

Gujo-Hachiman Castle (郡上八幡城) is located along the Yoshida River (吉田川) at 659 Ichinodaira, Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City (郡上市八幡町柳町一の平). It is also known as Sekisui-jo Castle (積翠城). It was founded on the Hill of Hachiman-yama (八幡山, 354 m) by Morikazu Endo (遠藤盛数) in the 2nd year of Eiroku (永禄2年) or AD 1559 after Morikazu attacked the To clan (東氏)'s Todoyama Castle (東殿山城). As the successor of the To family, Morikazu ruled the Gujo Area, and then his first son Yoshitaka Endo (遠藤 慶隆, 15501632) owned the castle. However, Yoshitaka was deported by Hideyoshi Hashiba (羽柴秀吉; later Hideyoshi Toyotomi) on the ground that Yoshitaka belonged to Nobutaka Oda (織田 信孝), the opponent of Hideyoshi after the Honno-ji Incident (本能寺の変) on June 21, 1582. Fortunately Yoshitaka came back as the lord of the castle in recognition of his services at Battle of Sekigahara (関ヶ原の戦い) on October 21, 1600. Since then, Yoshitaka's descendants owned the castle until 1693 when the 5th lord Tsunehisa (遠藤 常久, 1686-1693) died at the age of 7. After the two lord of the Inoue family (井上氏), the two lord of the Kanamori family (金森氏) ruled the area, the Aoyama family kept the ownership of the castle for seven generations until the abolition of clans and establishment of prefectures (廃藩置県) in 1871 when the original buildings were demolished. The present castle was reconstructed in the 8th year of Showa (昭和8年) or AD 1933, imitating Ogaki Castle (大垣城).

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(Tuesday 17 March) Statues of the famous lovebird-like couple (鴛鴦夫婦) Chiyo Yamauchi (山内千代, 1557-1617) and Kazutoyo Yamauchi (山内一豊, 1545-1605) who ruled Tosa (土佐: now Kochi) at the entrance of Gujo-Hachiman Castle. Now the city claims that Chiyo was born as a daughter of Morikazu Endo (遠藤 盛数), the founder of the castle.

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(Tuesday 17 March) Statues of the famous lovebird-like couple (鴛鴦夫婦) Chiyo Yamauchi (山内千代, 1557-1617) and Kazutoyo Yamauchi (山内一豊, 1545-1605) who ruled Tosa (土佐: now Kochi) at the entrance of Gujo-Hachiman Castle

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(Tuesday 17 March) Illustrated map of Gujo-Hachiman Castle

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Gujo-Hachiman Castle

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(Tuesday 17 March) The remain of "Kubi-arai-no-Ido" (首洗いの井戸; the Head-washing Well), Gujo-Hachiman Castle. It is said that many heads were washed to be identified during Battle of Keicho (慶長の役; 丁酉倭乱) between 1598 - 1598 in the Korean Peninsula.

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(Tuesday 17 March) The stone fence of Gujo-Hachiman Castle

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Gujo-Hachiman Castle

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Gujo-Hachiman Castle

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(Tuesday 17 March) The gate to "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Gujo-Hachiman Castle

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Tenshu-kaku" (天守閣; the donjon), Gujo-Hachiman Castle

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(Tuesday 17 March) Oyoshi'(およし)s Memorial Hall Gujo-Hachiman Castle. Oyoshi became "Hito-bashira" (人柱; lit. the human pillar) or the beautiful human sacrifice (generally a virgin, buried alive to appease the genius of the place who impedes some works). She was the only daughter of Kichibee (吉兵衛) the peasant of Kanji Village (神路村; now 郡上市大和町神路). Worrying about the broken castle caused by the series of battles in this area, Oyoshi, widely known as a very beautiful girl in the region at that time, voluntarily became the human sacrifice for reconstruction of the castle and was buried in the ground in the late sixteenth century when she was in her 17th year according to the official record.

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(Tuesday 17 March) The picture describing the ghost of Oyoshi the beautiful human sacrifice, museum of the Gujo-Hachiman Castle

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(Tuesday 17 March) Tradittional armors, museum in the "Tenshu-kaku" (the donjon) of Gujo-Hachiman Castle

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(Tuesday 17 March) The armorial bearings of the Endo family (遠藤氏) (left) and the Yamauchi family (山内氏) (right), museum in the "Tenshu-kaku" (the donjon) of Gujo-Hachiman Castle

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(Tuesday 17 March) A view from the top of the "Tenshu-kaku" (the donjon) of Gujo-Hachiman Castle

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(Tuesday 17 March) A view from the top of the "Tenshu-kaku" (the donjon) of Gujo-Hachiman Castle

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(Tuesday 17 March) A view from the top of the "Tenshu-kaku" (the donjon) of Gujo-Hachiman Castle

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(Tuesday 17 March) A view from the top of the "Tenshu-kaku" (the donjon) of Gujo-Hachiman Castle

Akiba-Sansyaku-bo Gochiku-in

Akiba-Sansyaku-bo Gochiku-in Temple (秋葉三尺坊悟竹院) is located at 410 Hachiman-cho-Yanagi-machi, Gujo City (郡上市八幡町柳町410) or at the foot of the castle hill. It was founded by the priest Ganko Kimpo (謹甫�伯�) in 1521 (1st year of Daiei [大永元年]). It belongs to the Soto-shu sect (曹洞宗) since 1569.

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(Tuesday 17 March) Stone gate to Akiba-Sansyaku-bo Gochiku-in Temple, 410 Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Stone steps to Akiba-Sansyaku-bo Gochiku-in Temple, 410 Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Small shrines and the stone post of Akiba-Sansyaku-bo Gochiku-in Temple, 410 Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Akiba-Sansyaku-bo Gochiku-in Temple, 410 Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Hon-do" (本堂; the main hall), Akiba-Sansyaku-bo Gochiku-in Temple, 410 Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

Kishitsurugi-jinjya

Kishitsurugi-jinjya Shrine (岸劔神社) is located at 438 Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City (郡上市八幡町柳町438) or next to Akiba-Sansyaku-bo Gochiku-in Temple. It was founded by Taicho-daishi (泰澄大師, 682/691-767) in the 1st year of Yoro [養老元年] or AD 717 in obedience to the Imperial command of Empress Gensho (元正天皇, 680-748;r.715-724).

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(Tuesday 17 March) Kishitsurugi-jinjya Shrine, 438 Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Stone Shrine Gate to Kishitsurugi-jinjya Shrine, 438 Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Kishitsurugi-jinjya Shrine, 438 Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

Yanagi-machi

Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City (郡上市八幡町柳町)

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(Tuesday 17 March) Shimo-Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Shimo-Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Shimo-Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Shimo-Yanagi-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

Koyo-zan Chokei-ji Temple

Koyo-zan Chokei-ji Temple (光耀山長敬寺) was founded by Shokin Shojinbo (正勧坊正欽) in the 6th year of Keicho (慶長6年; AD1601). It belongs to the Jodo-shinshu-Otani-ha sect of Buddhism.The address is 742 Shokunin-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City (郡上市八幡町職人町742).

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(Tuesday 17 March) "San-mon" Gate (山門), Koyo-zan Chokei-ji Temple, 742 Shokunin-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Hon-do" (本堂; the main hall), Koyo-zan Chokei-ji Temple, 742 Shokunin-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Statue of the sect founder Shinran-shonin (親鸞上人, 1173-1263), Koyo-zan Chokei-ji Temple, 742 Shokunin-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Statue of the restorer Rennyo-shonin (蓮如上人, 1415-1499), Koyo-zan Chokei-ji Temple, 742 Shokunin-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Hon-do" (本堂; the main hall), Koyo-zan Chokei-ji Temple, 742 Shokunin-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

Shokunin-machi

Shokunin-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City (郡上市八幡町職人町)

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(Tuesday 17 March) Kodara River (小駄良川) off Shokunin-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Kodara River off Shokunin-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Shokunin-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

Seisui-san Daijo-ji Temple

Seisui-san Daijo-ji Temple (清水山大乗寺) was founded by Nichino-shonin (日能上人) in the 8th year of Keicho (慶長8年) or AD 1608. The belfry gate was built in the 4th year of Kyowa (享和4年) or AD 1808. The address is 389 Nakatsubo, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City (郡上市八幡町中坪389). It belongs to the Nichiren sect of Buddhism.

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Hon-do" (本堂; the main hall), Seisui-san Daijo-ji Temple, 389 Nakatsubo, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City. The belfry gate was built in the 4th year of Kyowa (享和4年) or AD 1808.

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Hon-do" (本堂; the main hall), Seisui-san Daijo-ji Temple, 389 Nakatsubo, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

Gyokui-zan Rensho-ji Temple

Gyokui-zan Rensho-ji Temple (玉井山蓮生寺) is located at 739 Shokunin-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City (八幡町職人町739). It belongs to the Jodo-shinshu-Otani-ha sect. Starting as a temple of the Tendai-shu sect, It was re-established as one of the Jodo-shu sect by the 2nd year of Kambun (寛文2年) or Ad 1662. It was renamed as Rensho-ji Temple in the 3rd year of Gembun [元文3年] or AD 1738.

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(Tuesday 17 March) "San-mon" Gate (山門), Gyokui-zan Rensho-ji Temple, 739 Shokunin-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Hon-do" (本堂; the main hall), Gyokui-zan Rensho-ji Temple, 739 Shokunin-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Statue of the sect founder Shinran-shonin (親鸞上人, 1173-1263), Gyokui-zan Rensho-ji Temple, 739 Shokunin-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

Hon-machi

Hon-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City (郡上市八幡町本町)

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(Tuesday 17 March) Sculptures of "Gujo-odori" (郡上踊り), Hon-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Ueda-Shu-ten" (上田酒店; Liquor Ueda), 846-3 Hon-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Daikoku-ya" (大黒屋; Miso Shop Daikoky-ya), Hon-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) "Omami-ya" (桜間見屋; Japanese Sweetshop Daikoky-ya), 862 Hon-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

Sogi-sui

The Sogi-sui (宗祗水) is a symbolic spring water of Gujo-Hachiman. It is located in Hon-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City (郡上市八幡町本町) by the Kodara River (小駄良川). The Sogi-sui is listed No. 1 of the Hundred Good Waters of Japan by Ministry of the Environment."Sogi-sui" was named after Sogi Iio (飯尾宗祗, d. 1502) who was a famous linked-verse poet (連歌師) in the late Muromachi Period and lived at a cottage by the water he loved.

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(Tuesday 17 March) The "Sogi-sui" spring water, Hon-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) The "Sogi-sui" spring water, Hon-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) The "Sogi-sui" spring water, Hon-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) The "Sogi-sui" spring water, Hon-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) The "Sogi-sui" spring water, Hon-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Shimizu-bashi Bridge (清水橋) across the Kodara River (小駄良川) behind the "Sogi-sui" spring water, Hon-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) Shimizu-bashi Bridge (清水橋) across the Kodara River (小駄良川) behind the "Sogi-sui" spring water, Hon-machi, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

The Yoshida River

The Yoshida River (吉田川) is a branch of the Nagara-gawa River (長良川). The origin is Eboshi-dake (烏帽子岳; 1625 m high) between Meiho (明宝) area of Gujo City and Shikawa (荘川) area of Takayama City (高山市). The length is 32 km. It is famous for the quality of water.

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(Tuesday 17 March) The Yoshida River, viewed from Shimbashi Bridge, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) The Yoshida River, viewed from Shimbashi Bridge, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

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(Tuesday 17 March) The Yoshida River, viewed from Shimbashi Bridge, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

Shin-no Yakushi

Shin-no Yakushi (神農薬師) by the Yoshida River. It is the god of Chinese medicine. The origin of the shrine is unknown. The annual festival is held on around the 3rd Sunday of July.

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(Tuesday 17 March) Shin-no Yakushi (神農薬師) by the Yoshida River, Hachiman-cho, Gujo City

        

Copyright (c) 2009 Eishiro Ito.  All rights reserved.