Gujo-Hachiman Hakurankan
Gifu Prefecture · Japan
Our final stop immerses you in one of Japan’s most cherished cultural traditions—the Gujo Odori dance festival. A UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, this summer festival, known for its 24-hour dances, is one of Japan’s most highly-regarded summertime dance celebrations. You’ll not only watch the dances but learn the steps and dance alongside the festival dancers.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the Gujo-Hachiman Hakurankan, a facility that serves as the interpretive heart of this extraordinary water city. Housed in a charming early-twentieth-century building that formerly served as a tax office, this museum…
Listen in the app2The Water City Ethos and Mizubune Systems
One of the primary themes of the Hakurankan is the town’s intricate and ancient relationship with water. Gujo-Hachiman is situated at the confluence of several rivers, and its citizens have developed a unique system of canals and…
Listen in the app3The Gujo Odori: A 400-Year-Old Dance Legacy
The highlight of any visit to the Hakurankan is undoubtedly the section dedicated to the Gujo Odori. This dance festival, which takes place over thirty days from mid-July to early September, is one of the top three obon events in…
Listen in the app4Craftsmanship and the Art of the Food Sample
Gujo-Hachiman is the unlikely world capital of a unique and quirky industry: the production of food replicas, or sampuru. If you have ever marveled at the incredibly realistic plastic food in the windows of Japanese restaurants,…
Listen in the app5History of the Castle Town: The Endo and Aoyama Clans
The Hakurankan provides a scholarly overview of the town's history as a strategic stronghold in the mountains of Gifu. Gujo-Hachiman Castle, which stands on the hill overlooking the town, was first established in 1559 by Endo…
Listen in the app6The Taisho-Era Building: Architecture and Adaptation
As we conclude our indoor tour, it is worth spending a moment to appreciate the architecture of the Hakurankan building itself. Built in the early 1900s during the Taisho era, it served as the Gujo-Hachiman Tax Office for many…
Listen in the app7Final Reflections and the Town Beyond
As we conclude our exploration of the Gujo-Hachiman Hakurankan, we find ourselves back in the light-filled entrance hall, perhaps with a newfound appreciation for the complexities of this mountain town. We have traveled through…
Listen in the app8Closing
Our visit to the Gujo-Hachiman Hakurankan concludes here, but the exploration of the city continues just outside these doors. This museum has provided you with the historical and cultural foundation needed to truly see…
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What is Gujo-Hachiman Hakurankan?
Gujo-Hachiman Hakurankan is a place in Gifu Prefecture · Japan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Gifu Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.7534, 136.9569 |
| Last updated |
