Gujo Hachiman — Water Town of Springs & Canals

**Water experiences:** Sogi-sui (宗祇水) is the town's most famous spring, designated one of Japan's top 100 waters — drink directly from the stone fountain (bring a bottle to fill). Yanaka-sui (柳街水) is a three-tiered spring system where upper tier is for drinking, middle for washing rice, lower for rinsing vegetables — observe locals using the traditional hierarchy. Walk the Igawa Alley (いがわ小径) where koi swim in spring-fed canals alongside machiya houses. **Gujo Odori (July 13 – September 7):** Japan's longest dance festival sees locals and visitors dance the same 10 traditional dances in the streets each night (20:00–23:00). Four nights in mid-August (Obon period) the dancing continues all night (20:00–sunrise) — the徹夜踊り (tetsuya odori, all-night dance). No rehearsal needed: join the circle, follow the motions, and let the taiko drum rhythm guide you. Participation is free and expected. **Food sample workshop:** Sample Kobo (サンプル工房) offers 60-minute hands-on workshops where you create realistic plastic food samples (tempura, parfait, smartphone covers embedded with fake desserts). ¥1,500–2,200 depending on item. Reservations recommended (English available). The craft involves pouring colored wax into ice water and shaping it into lettuce leaves or tempura shrimp — oddly satisfying and uniquely Gujo. **Gujo Hachiman Castle:** The hilltop castle offers panoramic views over the town and river confluence below. The climb (15-minute steep ascent through forest) rewards with understanding Gujo's water geography — you see how springs emerge from the hillside and feed the canal network. The castle's wooden interior creaks atmospherically but historical content is minimal.