Gujo Hachiman Castle

Gujo Hachiman Castle

Gujo Hachiman Castle is located in Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture, in central Japan. It was originally built in 1559 by a man named Morikazu Endo. Situated on Mount Hachiman at an elevation of 354 meters, it is a mountaintop castle that has been ruled by five families across 19 generations.

In 1871, during Japan’s abolition of the feudal domains and establishment of prefectures, Gujo Hachiman Castle was sadly abandoned and almost entirely destroyed, with only the stone walls remaining. The current structure was rebuilt from wood in 1933. It is said that the reconstruction was modeled after the national treasures of Ogaki Castle and Hikone Castle. The castle tower has four stories and five tiers, offering panoramic views of the entire town, and has been designated as an important cultural property of Gujo Town. Gujo Hachiman Castle is the oldest surviving wooden reconstructed castle in Japan. The castle houses and displays precious items such as fog-patterned armor and horse tack. Within the ruins of the central keep, known as the honmaru, there is also a bronze statue of Yamamoto Kazutoyo, a Sengoku-era daimyo, and his wife Chiyoh, both exquisitely carved and lifelike.

Gujo Hachiman Castle is an important cultural asset of Gujo City and one of its main tourist attractions. The castle grounds are lushly planted with a wide variety of flowers, trees, and some rare species. In spring and summer, the area is beautifully shaded by greenery and filled with fragrant blossoms.

Gujō Hachiman Castle

Must-visit reason: Japan’s oldest wooden reconstructed castle

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Japan[Japan]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Gifu Prefecture [Gifu Prefecture]

City where the attraction is located: Gujo City [Gujō]