Last additions - JAPAN PHOTOS by Philbert Ono

Last additions

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

Zensuiji Hondo main hallNov 18, 2021

Nov 18, 2021

Zensuiji Hondo main worship hallNov 18, 2021

Nov 18, 2021

Red maples framing Zensuiji temple in autumn.Nov 18, 2021

Nov 18, 2021

Inside the Koto Sanzan shuttle bus from Kongorinji to Hyakusaiji. Quite full this day. Nov 06, 2021

Shuttle bus on the right going to the next Koto Sanzan Temple.Nov 06, 2021

Small garden outside Aisho Town Museum.Nov 06, 2021

Near Koongorinji's main gate is a parking lot and bus stop.Nov 06, 2021

Small garden outside Aisho Town Museum.Nov 06, 2021

Aisho Town Museum.Nov 06, 2021

Very artistic looking autumn leaves.Nov 06, 2021

Nov 06, 2021

Autumn foliage near the Dojo. Nov 06, 2021

Nov 06, 2021

Looks like red maples are raining on you. Just spectacular.Nov 06, 2021

Nov 06, 2021

Another prime spot for autumn foliage at Kongorinji.Nov 06, 2021

Nov 06, 2021

Path back to the main gate. Lots of eye candy.Nov 06, 2021

Nov 06, 2021

Kongorinji's three-story pagoda, National Important Cultural Property.Nov 06, 2021

Kongorinji's three-story pagoda, National Important Cultural Property amid maple leaves.Nov 06, 2021

Kongorinji's three-story pagoda built in 1246, National Important Cultural Property.Nov 06, 2021

Kongorinji's three-story pagoda, National Important Cultural Property.Nov 06, 2021

About the three-story pagoda, National Important Cultural Property.Nov 06, 2021

Nov 06, 2021

Kongorinji Hondo main hall, National Treasure amid autumn maple leaves.Nov 06, 2021

Built in 1288, Kongorinji Hondo main hall, National Treasure in autumn.Nov 06, 2021

Kongorinji's main temple hall is a National Treasure housing an 11-faced Kannon statue and 13 other statues designated as Important Cultural Properties. Aisho, Shiga.Nov 06, 2021