Last additions - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

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Last additions - GIFU 岐阜県

Dec 14, 2021

About Jion-zenji Temple. It worships Yakushi, the healing Buddha.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

In autumn, Jion-zenji Temple is a major attraction for autumn leaves in Tessoen Garden.Dec 14, 2021

Jion-zenji (also called Jionji) is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple (Myoshinji School). On the fringe of central Gujo-Hachiman. Walking distance from the castle.Dec 14, 2021

When getting off the bus, check the bus schedule for your return trip. Be aware that buses are infrequent. Only once an hour or less often.Dec 14, 2021

Get off at this bus stop, Gujo-Hachiman Jokamachi Plaza, a small tourist shop with a large parking lot.Dec 14, 2021

The bus ride to Gujo-Hachman is scenic through the mountains. Dec 14, 2021

Bus stop on the highway to Gujo-Hachman.Dec 14, 2021

The bus for Gujo-Hachiman has these plastic barriers for COVID-19.Dec 14, 2021

It says the ventilation system in the bus completely changes the interior air every 5 min.Dec 14, 2021

How to get to Gujo-Hachiman: Taking a bus from JR or Meitetsu Gifu Station or Nagoya Station is most convenient. This is the bus for Gujo-Hachiman at Meitetsu Gifu Station.Dec 14, 2021

Bus fare is only ¥1,550 from Meitetsu Gifu Station. It takes 80 min. Gujo-Hachiman is not as far north as Shirakawa-go or Takayama, so it's an easy day trip.Dec 14, 2021

Gujo-Hachiman Castle's corner turret and autumn leaves lit up in the eveningDec 14, 2021

View of Gujo-Hachiman and autumn leaves.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Gujo-Hachiman Castle and autumn leaves are lit up in the evening.Dec 14, 2021

It was kind of tiring to climb up the mountain for the second on the same day to see the evening light-up. But it was worth it. Took 20 min. to take some quick photos before going back down to catch the bus back to Gifu Station.Dec 14, 2021

Kazutoyo and Chiyo were made nationally famous by the year-long NHK Taiga Drama series Kōmyō ga Tsuji (功名が辻) in 2006. Dec 14, 2021

During the autumn foliage, Gujo-Hachiman Castle and autumn leaves are lit up in the evening from 5 pm. No admission charged.Dec 14, 2021

One good starting point for touring Gujo-Hachiman is here, Gujo-Hachiman Jokamachi Plaza. A small tourist shop with a large parking lot for bus stops and tour buses. Centrally located. Hike up to the castle from here.Dec 14, 2021

View of Anyoji Temple's main hall. One of Gujo-Hachiman's major temples. 安養寺Dec 14, 2021

Anyoji Temple's main Hondo worship hall is the largest wooden building in Gifu Prefecture. Small admission charged to enter the worship hall. 安養寺Dec 14, 2021

On the way to the castle, you will pass by Anyoji Temple. Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Sect, Otani School. Founded in 1256. 安養寺Dec 14, 2021

About Chiyo and Kazutoyo in Japanese.Dec 14, 2021

Chiyo was supposedly the daughter of the Gujo-Hachiman Castle's first lord, Endo Morikazu. Kazutoyo later became lord of Kochi Castle in Shikoku. This statue was erected in 1991 by local donors. (Gujo-Hachiman Castle can be seen in the background.)Dec 14, 2021

At the foot of the castle mountain, there's this statue of samurai Yamauchi Kazutoyo and his loyal and loving wife Chiyo and the fine horse she bought for him (in Kinomoto or Azuchi, Shiga Prefecture) with her own money in the 16th century. Dec 14, 2021

Some leaves on the way back down the mounatin.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Lots and lots of autumn colors at Gujo-Hachiman Castle.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Castle wall and red maples.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Turret sprinkled with red maple leaves.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Red maples behind the main tower.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Another turret. Not open to the public.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Corner turret.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Corner turret and main tower.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

First floor.Dec 14, 2021

Photo gallery of other castles.Dec 14, 2021

Corridor on a lower floor of the main castle tower.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

The much photographed corner turret.Dec 14, 2021

View from the lower floor.Dec 14, 2021

Panel display of local activities on the river.Dec 14, 2021

Lower floor in the castle tower.Dec 14, 2021

Back view of Gujo-Hachiman. Ono district with Yoshida River on the right. The covered stadium on the right of the river is Sogo Sports Center. (郡上市総合スポーツセンター)Dec 14, 2021

Corner turret.Dec 14, 2021

Main gate to the castle tower.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Jokamachi (castle town) area of Gujo-Hachiman. The large temple roof would be Anyoji Temple.Dec 14, 2021

View of Gujo-Hachiman from the castle. Looking south with Yoshida River in the foreground. Miyagase Bridge over Yoshida River can also be seen.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

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

Top floor of the castle tower is a lookout deck with open windows (no glass). Very breezy.Dec 14, 2021

Wooden stairways to go up to the upper floors.Dec 14, 2021

Wooden stairways to go up to the upper floors. High heels and short skirts not recommended.Dec 14, 2021

Scale model of Gujo-Hachiman Castle town during the samurai days. The castle is on the top of the mountain.Dec 14, 2021

Historical letters and documents.Dec 14, 2021

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

Dec 14, 2021

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

Dec 14, 2021

Defensive wall with holes for weapons.Dec 14, 2021

Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret. Not open to the public.Dec 14, 2021

Main gate to the castle's main tower.Dec 14, 2021

Another gate.Dec 14, 2021

Castle tower had a tree growing in the foundation.Dec 14, 2021

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

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

Main tower and red maples.Dec 14, 2021

View of Gujo-Hachiman in autumn, south of Yoshida River.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Near the gate to the main tenshukaku tower.Dec 14, 2021

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

Castle wall with openings for weapons.Dec 14, 2021

Main tower.Dec 14, 2021

Corner turret.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Path along the castle wall leading to another turret.Dec 14, 2021

Prime spot to view and photograph the castle.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Lots of autumn colors along the way.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Steps to the castle's main keep.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Chikara-ishi stones.Dec 14, 2021

Gujo-Hachiman Castle main tower.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021

Gujo-Hachiman Castle turret and autumn foliage still green.Dec 14, 2021

Gujo-Hachiman Castle turret and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Another corner turret.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

Autumn view of Gujo-Hachiman Castle from a path along the castle wall.Dec 14, 2021

Gujo-Hachiman Castle corner turret.Dec 14, 2021

Gujo-Hachiman Castle and autumn foliage.Dec 14, 2021

Gujo-Hachiman Castle and red maple leaves.Dec 14, 2021

View of Gujo-Hachiman Castle and fall leaves.Dec 14, 2021

Major spot to view and photograph the castle. The stone monument is connected with Nichiren.Dec 14, 2021

Dec 14, 2021

The pedestrian approach to the castle entrance is also pretty with autumn leaves.Dec 14, 2021

Nice red momiji maple leaf gradation from light to dark.Dec 14, 2021

Gujo-Hachiman Castle has lots of red maples.Dec 14, 2021

Finally reached the bottom of the castle grounds. Fall leaves already pretty in mid-November.Dec 14, 2021

Unusual rock formations.Dec 14, 2021

The road snakes up the mountain, but pedestrians can also go up a few shortcuts. Steeper than the road though.Dec 14, 2021

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

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

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

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

The main tower is now a museum exhibiting local history and culture. The top floor gives commanding views of Gujo-Hachiman.Dec 14, 2021

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

Kano-juku was the 53rd station or lodging/post town of the Nakasendo Road. Hiroshige's print of Kanō-juku was part of The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kiso Kaidō series. Kano Castle can be seen. Short walk south of JR Gifu Station.Apr 23, 2020

Ota-juku was the 51st shukuba lodging town on the old Nakasendo Road linking Tokyo (Edo) and Kyoto. The old Nakasendo Road and some remnants of the shukuba still remain. Ota-juku is adjacent to Kiso River and one of the 17 Nakasendo lodging towns in Gifu Prefecture. This Hiroshige woodblock print of Ota-juku shows the Kiso River crossing to Ota-juku, one of the most difficult segments of the Nakasendo.Apr 17, 2020

JR Mino-Ota Station platform.Apr 17, 2020

JR Mino-Ota StationApr 17, 2020

JR Mino-Ota Station platform.Apr 17, 2020

Poster inside JR Mino-Ota Station.Apr 17, 2020

Inside JR Mino-Ota Station.Apr 17, 2020

JR Mino-Ota Station on the Takayama Main Line. The closest station to Ota-juku. Impressive building. There's a tourist information office too.Apr 17, 2020

Old map of Ota-juku showing the names of all the homes.Apr 17, 2020

Old map of Ota-juku.Apr 17, 2020

Ota-juku manhole, Mino-Kamo, Gifu Prefecture. Depicts a river boat man.Apr 17, 2020

Roof ornament.Apr 17, 2020

Apr 17, 2020

About the Kanmachi Masugata.Apr 17, 2020

Apr 17, 2020

Walking back west on the Nakasendo in Ota-juku.Apr 17, 2020

Apr 17, 2020

Old roof at Yusenji Temple in Ota-juku, Gifu. 祐泉寺Apr 17, 2020

Yusenji Temple in Ota-juku, Gifu. 祐泉寺Apr 17, 2020

About Yusenji Temple founded in 1474. The temple has a poem monument for Basho.Apr 17, 2020

Yusenji Temple in Ota-juku, Gifu. 祐泉寺Apr 17, 2020

Yusenji Temple is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple, Myōshin-ji school. 祐泉寺Apr 17, 2020

Gate to Yusenji Temple in Ota-juku, Gifu. 祐泉寺Apr 17, 2020

Rear entrance to Komatsu-ya.Apr 17, 2020

Apr 17, 2020

Small desk was for the merchant at work for his tobacco business at Komatsu-ya or Yoshida Family Residence (吉田家住宅).Apr 17, 2020

Small desk was for the merchant to receive business people while taking care of tobacco business at Komatsu-ya or Yoshida Family Residence (吉田家住宅).Apr 17, 2020

Yoshida Family Residence (吉田家住宅).Apr 17, 2020

Small desk was for the merchant taking care of tobacco business at Komatsu-ya or Yoshida Family Residence (吉田家住宅).Apr 17, 2020

Yoshida Family Residence was originally one of the 20 inns in Ota-juku.Apr 17, 2020

Yoshida Family Residence (吉田家住宅) was first operated as an inn during the Edo Period for Ise Grand Shrine pilgrims, then became tobacco merchant Komatsu-ya from the 1920s.Apr 17, 2020

Entrance hall of Yoshida Family Residence (吉田家住宅). The residence is a National Tangible Cultural Property.Apr 17, 2020

Yoshida Family Residence (吉田家住宅), another Ota-juku building open to the public. It operated as a famous hatago inn named Komatsuya (小松屋), and later as a tobacco shop from the 1920s.Apr 17, 2020

Ai-Ai bus stop signApr 17, 2020

Former Juroku Bank, Ota Branch. 旧十六銀行太田支店Apr 17, 2020

This building used to be the Juroku Bank, Ota Branch from 1907 to 1965. 旧十六銀行太田支店Apr 17, 2020

Apr 17, 2020

Ota-juku lanternApr 17, 2020

Apr 17, 2020

Looks like a modernized version. Ota-juku, Gifu.Apr 17, 2020

Walking further east in Nakasendo Ota-juku.Apr 17, 2020

Apr 17, 2020

Ota-juku, Minokamo, Gifu.Apr 17, 2020

Ceiling of Ota Waki-Honjin secondary residence.Apr 17, 2020

Apr 17, 2020

Ota Waki-Honjin secondary residence rear.Apr 17, 2020

Ota Waki-Honjin secondary residence has Udatsu roof firewall. Ota-juku, Gifu.Apr 17, 2020

Ota Waki-Honjin secondary residence's garden.Apr 17, 2020

Apr 17, 2020

Inside Ota Waki-Honjin secondary residence. 太田宿脇本陣隠居Apr 17, 2020

Inside Ota Waki-Honjin residence's kitchen not open to the public. 太田宿脇本陣隠居Apr 17, 2020

Inside Ota Waki-Honjin secondary residence. 太田宿脇本陣隠居Apr 17, 2020

Ota Waki-Honjin secondary residence. 太田宿脇本陣Apr 17, 2020

Built in 1769, the Ota-juku Waki-Honjin was a backup VIP lodge in addition to the Honjin. Operated by the Hayashi family since the latter 1700s. Hayashi family head also served as the Ota-juku headman along with the Honjin's Fukuda family head. 太�Apr 17, 2020

Ota Waki-Honjin secondary residence is open to the public.Apr 17, 2020

Ota Waki-Honjin Hayashi Residence formerly for Ota-juku VIPs. This main building is not open to the public, but the adjacent Ota Waki-Honjin secondary residence is open to the public. 太田脇本陣林家住宅This is the original location. National Important Cultural Property. 国の重要文化財Apr 17, 2020

Ota Waki-Honjin secondary residence (inkyo) is open to the public. 太田宿脇本陣隠居Apr 17, 2020

Ota Waki-Honjin's udatsu roof firewall in Ota-juku, Gifu Prefecture. Udatsu was also a status symbol.Apr 17, 2020

Built in 1769, the Ota-juku Waki-Honjin was a backup VIP lodge in addition to the Honjin. It has this udatsu roof firewall in Ota-juku, Gifu Prefecture. The Ota Waki-Honjin retains much of its original Edo Period exterior. Part of the house is open to the public.Apr 17, 2020