【ひとり旅】郡上八幡で水音を聞きながら古い町並みを散策した日のVlog。【岐阜観光】 / Japan travel, Walking in Gujo Haxhiman, Gifu.

【ひとり旅】郡上八幡で水音を聞きながら古い町並みを散策した日のVlog。【岐阜観光】 / Japan travel, Walking in Gujo Haxhiman, Gifu.

Today we arrived in Gujo Hachiman, wrapped in rain. The rooftops glisten with moisture, and the town is veiled in mist. Here you’ll find old streets from the Edo period and a spring chosen as the first of Japan’s Top 100 Waters. It looks like we’re in for a wonderfully atmospheric stroll😌 Among the sounds of rain and birds, a low rumble echoes from afar. It seems there’s a large river running through town—that must be what we’re hearing. Let’s head into town and soak up the atmosphere with all five senses. So nostalgic😶 It’s early morning, so the shops are still closed, but I can imagine how lively it must be during the day. Up ahead is what looks like an Important Preservation District for traditional buildings. “Shokuninmachi and Kajiyamachi Town” Buildings with subdued colors line the street, backed by misty mountains… This area was developed in the Edo period as a town for commoners, and was once lined with artisan homes and large merchant houses. The varying sizes of the buildings are likely remnants from that era. Many porches are decorated with flowers—so charming. Well-maintained canals run along both sides of the street, filling the town with the sound of flowing water. The houses are built close together, and the town has survived two major fires, so people are very conscious about fire prevention—and the canals serve that purpose too. The space between houses really is quite narrow. Buckets for fire emergencies hang here and there. It’s a practical setup, but it also blends beautifully into the scenery— I can really feel the townspeople’s dedication to preserving the charm of their streets. At the end of the street stood a temple. “Chokeiji Temple” A dignified and stylish temple. We step into the grounds, leaving the townscape behind. The damp weather makes the atmosphere all the more solemn. The rain is starting to pick up again. The forecast only called for light showers, but predicting nature precisely is clearly no easy task. There are also waterways flowing around the temple grounds. Today there’s no wind, and the wind chimes are watching the rain in silence. I hope they ring beautifully once summer is in full swing. It’s time to move on to the next spot. “Yanagimachi” Here too, an old-fashioned street comes into view. The foggy scenery gives it an enchanting charm😶 I’m glad I came here on a rainy day… Hydrangeas shimmer with rain along the roadside. Hydrangeas are pretty on sunny days too, but their mystery in the rain is also lovely. I’ve heard that this area used to be home to samurai. Streams run along both sides of the street here too, filling the air with the sound of water. Apparently, locals take turns cleaning the waterways. This beautiful scenery is a product of the community’s efforts. Let’s continue on toward the nearby river. Houses and trees line the riverbank. The water is usually so clear that people can even bathe in it, but today it’s cloudy, likely from sediment carried by the heavy rain. I’ll enjoy the crystal-clear river next time. “Daijoji Temple” Another temple with a serene atmosphere. Gujo Hachiman is said to have many historic temples and shrines. These sacred sites inspire reverence and add richness to the walk through the town. The area across the way is blanketed in moss and trees. Even with the damp air, the view is surprisingly refreshing. The green scenery is truly calming😌 My favorite color is dark green, so this scene especially speaks to me. Dark green is just so soothing. I continue walking east along the river. The flowing patterns on the water’s surface are beautiful. Maybe the currents can be calculated based on obstructions and slope. That would fall under fluid mechanics—I’m a little intrigued. A lovely red bridge appears in the distance. Let’s head all the way over there. A pretty cobblestone lane. There it is again—that beautiful red bridge in the distance. Red is a bold color, but somehow it fits right into the surroundings. Looking to the side, houses line the river’s edge—it’s quite a sight. Maybe they were built so close to enjoy the river’s benefits up close. Looking back, I see a picture of willows and brown buildings—it’s so picturesque. To the left, I spot a small shrine-like structure. “Sogisui” This spring was the first to be selected among Japan’s Top 100 Famous Waters. Even in the rain, its clarity is untouched. It’s early morning with no one around—such a peaceful little spot. Right beside it, the river we saw earlier is flowing strongly. It really does seem like a powerful current. If you fell in, you’d be swept away instantly by the swift water. Rivers offer many blessings like agriculture and transport, but we shouldn’t forget they can be dangerous too. I’m back in the town center. The place I visited at the beginning is the core of the historic district, but the whole town has a retro charm to it, and there’s a nostalgic mood wherever you go. You can see where the heavy rain overflowed in places. Although it’s only a drizzle now, the rain last night and this morning must’ve been intense. The earth has probably absorbed a lot of water. This is the Yoshidagawa River, the source of Gujo Hachiman’s rich waters. There are patches of white foam—it shows just how powerful the flow is. Even the old town hall has a retro vibe—what an incredible town😶 “Igawa Path” A narrow path quietly stretching alongside a stream and greenery—just like a true komichi. The lanterns scattered here and there add a special charm to the place. The scenery is already beautiful, but a local I happened to meet said: “The stream is murky today—what a shame,” he said with a smile😇 Apparently, the water is usually very clear, and you can even see carp swimming in it. I definitely want to come back again on a sunny day. The rain is getting heavier again. Falling raindrops create dynamic ripples on the water. The previously still water begins to move together—as if it’s rejoicing. The path is getting harder to walk, but that’s part of the charm of a rainy day. I continue my atmospheric exploration of the town, accompanied by the sound of rain. The sound of water dripping from the eaves is soothing. In the city, it would be drowned out by noise, but here in the quiet, it’s clearly audible. Even the alleys away from the main street are simply wonderful. The tributaries of the Yoshidagawa River are also beautiful. Flowers, trees, and nostalgic buildings line the river— a walk here is a must when visiting Gujo Hachiman. The willows along the riverbank are something truly special. Today they’re soaked by the rain, but they’re even more beautiful when swaying in the wind. Even in this weather, you can see how clear the water is. Maybe there are fish swimming here too? This area is said to have buildings from the Edo period as well. It’s heartwarming to see the old being preserved to this day😌 “Yanaka Water Path” The glistening hydrangeas are bursting with color👍 The leaves are glossy and vibrant. There are little paths like this all over town—that’s what makes this place so special. Willow trees and rain—a perfect combination. My heart is gradually becoming calm. A narrow alley stretches out here. The nostalgic atmosphere of this town is especially vivid in these alleys. Before I started filming, I often took photos of these alleys. I love this slightly gloomy, deserted feeling. When you come out of the alley, you find yourself in a shopping street. Buildings are tightly packed along the narrow alley—so beautiful. In Gujo Hachiman, buildings are closely spaced, but between them are “sodekabe” (shoulder walls), which are designed to prevent the spread of fire. We’re probably nearing the edge of town. There are fewer shops and lanterns aimed at tourists— instead, you can feel the everyday life of the locals. I’m getting hungry—let’s head back to the center and find a restaurant. This time I cross the Yoshidagawa River via a different bridge. From here, I can see the river winding its way into the mountains. I’m back in the town center. “Ooya Shokudo” I tried the recommended “Keichan Teishoku.” The miso-grilled chicken gave off a mouthwatering aroma. The miso soup was made with red miso. I love that. I’m from Kanto, but during my student days in Tokai, I grew to love it. That rich miso flavor was just my thing. Miso is simply delicious😌 “Anyōji Temple” This is the large temple I saw from above right after arriving. It’s said to be the largest wooden structure in Gifu Prefecture. It’s about 16 meters wide and deep, so no wonder it stood out even from up high. Even the small pond nearby was beautiful with its green reflections 😌 Up close, the scale of the building is even more impressive. I hope this place is preserved for a long time. I’ve been walking since morning and I’m starting to feel tired. The next destination will be the last one for today. “Gujo Hachiman Castle” Of course, a castle is the perfect way to end the day. This town originally flourished as a castle town, with Gujo Hachiman Castle at its center. I approach a beautiful white-plastered gate. It’s the epitome of a classic Japanese castle—absolutely stunning! This castle was built on dry-stacked stone walls, and is Japan’s oldest reconstructed wooden castle. It’s a bit dark inside, but the wood texture is beautiful. I climb all the way to the top floor. What a spectacular view! I can see the whole town of Gujo Hachiman wrapped in mist. Gujo Hachiman is a magical place where nature and townscape coexist in harmony. As I walked through the retro streets, I thought about the town’s history, and enjoyed the soothing sounds of water and the lush greenery. I feel like today gave me many valuable experiences. The misty, rainy townscape was beautiful, but I’d love to see the clear river too, so I’ll definitely come back on a sunnier day. That’s it for today. See you next time!

水音が心地よい郡上八幡に訪れました。
周りの山々は霧に隠れ、古い町並みは白く霞む、、
水音を聞きながら歩く旅は大変よいものでした😌

0:00 オープニング / Opening
1:37 職人町、鍛冶屋町 / Shokuninmachi and Kajiyamachi Town
4:37 柳町 / Yanagimachi Town
8:24 宗祇水 / Sogi Sui Water
11:30 いがわ小径 / Igawakomichi Lane
19:08 郡上八幡城 / Gujo-Hachiman Castle

#郡上八幡 #岐阜観光 #gujohachiman #ひとり旅 #vlog #japantravel #japantrip