 Last additions - Gujo 郡上市 |
Great views of Gujo-Hachiman from the top floor of the castle tower. This is looking south (Minami-machi) and that's Yoshida River.Dec 14, 2021
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Top floor of the castle tower is a lookout deck with open windows (no glass). Very breezy.Dec 14, 2021
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Wooden stairways to go up to the upper floors.Dec 14, 2021
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Wooden stairways to go up to the upper floors. High heels and short skirts not recommended.Dec 14, 2021
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Scale model of Gujo-Hachiman Castle town during the samurai days. The castle is on the top of the mountain.Dec 14, 2021
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Historical letters and documents.Dec 14, 2021
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Scroll painting of Chiyo, famous wife of Yamauchi Kazutoyo in the 16th century. Chiyo was supposedly the daughter of the Gujo-Hachiman Castle's first lord, Endo Morikazu.Dec 14, 2021
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Dec 14, 2021
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Inside Gujo-Hachiman Castle's main tower, a museum exhibiting local historical artifacts. This is the first floor. In the background, you can see Koinobori carp streamers made by local artists.Dec 14, 2021
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Dec 14, 2021
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Defensive wall with holes for weapons.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret. Not open to the public.Dec 14, 2021
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Main gate to the castle's main tower.Dec 14, 2021
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Main gate to the castle's main tower.Dec 14, 2021
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Another gate.Dec 14, 2021
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Castle tower had a tree growing in the foundation.Dec 14, 2021
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It's not a precise reconstruction of the original castle tower. Apparently, the original floor plan or architectural design did not survive. The reconstruction was modeled after Ogaki Castle's original main tower.Ogaki Castle had been one of the few castle towers preserved since the samurai days. It was a National Treasure in Gifu Prefecture until it got destroyed by an air raid in July 1945. Ogaki Castle's current main tower is a concrete reconstruction.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle's tenshu main tower. Reconstruction built in 1933. The original castle was dismantled in 1870 when the samurai system was abolished. Only the stone walls and foundations remained. This reconstruction is unusual because it was built using wood instead of concrete. This is in fact Japan's oldest reconstructed main castle tower made of wood.
Entrance to the castle tower can be seen on the right. Small admission charged.
Dec 14, 2021
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Main tower and red maples.Dec 14, 2021
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View of Gujo-Hachiman in autumn, south of Yoshida River.Dec 14, 2021
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Dec 14, 2021
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Near the gate to the main tenshukaku tower.Dec 14, 2021
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About Gujo-Hachiman Castle in Japanese. Gujo-Hachiman Castle was first built in 1555 by Lord Endo Morikazu as his base when he was battling another feudal lord, Tono Tsuneyoshi, for the control of the Gujo domain. Morikazu's son Yoshitaka then unified the Gujo domain and built the castle and castle town.
The succeeding lord, Inaba Sadamichi, built the castle main tower. The castle later had other samurai clans as occupants such as the Endo, Inoue, and Kanamori Clans.Dec 14, 2021
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Castle wall with openings for weapons.Dec 14, 2021
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Main tower.Dec 14, 2021
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Corner turret.Dec 14, 2021
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Dec 14, 2021
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Path along the castle wall leading to another turret.Dec 14, 2021
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Prime spot to view and photograph the castle.Dec 14, 2021
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Lots of autumn colors along the way.Dec 14, 2021
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Steps to the castle's main keep.Dec 14, 2021
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Chikara-ishi stones.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle main tower.Dec 14, 2021
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Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle turret and autumn foliage still green.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle turret and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle turret and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021
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Another corner turret.Dec 14, 2021
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Autumn view of Gujo-Hachiman Castle from a path along the castle wall.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle and red maple leaves.Dec 14, 2021
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View of Gujo-Hachiman Castle and fall leaves.Dec 14, 2021
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Major spot to view and photograph the castle. The stone monument is connected with Nichiren.Dec 14, 2021
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The pedestrian approach to the castle entrance is also pretty with autumn leaves.Dec 14, 2021
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Nice red momiji maple leaf gradation from light to dark.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle has lots of red maples.Dec 14, 2021
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Finally reached the bottom of the castle grounds. Fall leaves already pretty in mid-November.Dec 14, 2021
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Unusual rock formations.Dec 14, 2021
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The road snakes up the mountain, but pedestrians can also go up a few shortcuts. Steeper than the road though.Dec 14, 2021
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Takes about 15 min. of uphill walking. Cars can go up to the parking lot near the castle. People in wheelchairs should take a taxi. However, the castle grounds still has a lot of stone steps. Castle tower has no elevator.Dec 14, 2021
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Entrance to the road going up to the castle. Both cars and pedestrians use this narrow, single-lane road, so we all need to be careful.Dec 14, 2021
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Map around Gujo-Hachiman Castle. The castle is a short uphill hike from the bus stop at Gujo-Hachiman Jokamachi Plaza, a local tourist shop. Gujo-Hachiman used to be a separate town (municipality) called "Hachiman-cho" until it merged with several neighboring towns and villages to form the city of Gujo (pop. 38,000) in 2004.Dec 14, 2021
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Small admission is charged to enter the castle's main tower. A combination ticket ¥700 is recommended to also see Jion-zenji TempleDec 14, 2021
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The main tower is now a museum exhibiting local history and culture. The top floor gives commanding views of Gujo-Hachiman.Dec 14, 2021
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Gujo-Hachiman Castle is on a small mountain named Mt. Hachiman in central Gujo-Hachiman. The main tenshu tower is a 1933 reconstruction made of wood and surrounded by autumn foliage in November.Takes about 15 minutes to climb up. It's a fairly easy climb. The castle has a commanding view of the city.Dec 14, 2021
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