Gujō Odori (郡上おどり) is a *Bon Festival held every summer in Gujō, Gifu. The dance festival — Gujō Odori — started over 400 years ago and continues today; it has been designated an *Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

The festival lasts thirty-two nights, from the middle of July to early September. During the four days of Obon in mid-August (August 13 to 16), dances continue all night. Gujō Odori has 10 kinds of dances.

There is no difference between the dancers and the audience, anyone can participate; therefore the dances attract many visitors. About 250,000 people during the four days of Obon and about 300,000 people every summer come to this small town, which has a population about 15,000 in Gujō Hachiman district, for the odori.

Visit Gujo Hachiman (map) and you can expect to be immersed in an authentic small town Japanese experience unique to an “off the beaten path” town. Here the traditional way of living is on a very human scale. People passing each other in the street still greet each other with a small bow, and exchange a passing greeting.

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: Download our free self-guided visit with detailed map in PDF format to plan your visit to Gujo Hachiman!

The Nakasendo trail cuts through the entire region from on its way from Nagano to Shiga, leaving many preserved buildings and historic sites scattered around the former post towns.

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: The Inner Path to the Inner Self: Walking the Nakasendo (visitgifu.com)

*Oku-Hida Onsen Villages (map) are a group of 5 remote hot spring villages, nestled deep in the *Japan Alps of Gifu Prefecture. Every village has an open-air bath (露天風呂 rotenburo) open to the public for free or a token fee. Note that these are communal and mixed, ladies wishing to retain their modesty may wish to bring a bathing suit.

Being located in the heart of the northern Japan Alps, there are copious opportunities for hiking in the area, but do your research beforehand as many of the mountains are quite tough and the climbing season is very short — many peaks will still be covered in snow in June. A popular, if fairly challenging, three-day course is to scale all three peaks listed below in a row, crossing over from Oku-Hida to Kamikochi (or vice versa).

Transit Planner | Route Map – Japan Transit Planner.

For sorting through transport schedules and fares, HyperDia is an invaluable companion; it computes to-the-minute directions including connecting trains, as well as buses and planes.

⇒ Also сheck оut мore info: Transportation in Japan (japan.travel) • Transportation (japan-guide.com)

BUS: Gifu Bus • Nohi Bus. Japan Bus Online is a comprehensive website that allows you to search for and book bus tickets across Japan. Willer Express is a major bus company in Japan that offers long-distance bus services. + Highway Bus / JR Bus / kate.co.jp.

TRAIN: MEITETSU (Nagoya Railroad) • Nagaragawa Railway • Tarumi Railway • Akechi Railway • Yoro Railway.

Japan Railways (JR): The official website of Japan Railways provides information about train routes, schedules, fares, and services offered by JR. + Central JR • West JR • East JR

AIRPORT: Most international flights arrive at either Narita Airport near Tokyo or Kansai Airport near Osaka; a smaller number use Chubu International Airport near Nagoya.

WATERWAYS: Direct Ferries • Ferry Sunflower • Willer Ferry

Japanese Dance Festival
Gujo Odori Bon in 2019

⇒ video source: JAPACUL Japanese Culture / youtube.com /

Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC) MOFA Visa Information. + JAPAN eVISA – for online visa application to visit Japan.

HyperDia is a service which offers the route of the railway and the aviation within Japan. Rental car and hotels etc around the station.

A website focused on budget travel in Tokyo, providing tips on affordable accommodation, dining, transportation, and free/cheap activities.