🚗 A Perfect Day Trip from Nagoya
If you’re looking for a picturesque day trip from Nagoya, Gujo Hachiman is an ideal destination. Known as the “water city,” this charming castle town offers beautiful canals, traditional streets, and unique cultural experiences. I recently visited Gujo Hachiman by car from Nagoya and explored the town on foot, which I highly recommend for any traveler.
🅿️ Start Your Walk from the Castle Town Parking Lot
To fully enjoy the town, I parked at a municipal parking lot near the castle town area. Walking through the narrow streets, I immediately noticed the crystal-clear waterways running alongside the roads. In some areas, koi fish swim gracefully, and visitors can even feed them—a delightful experience for children.
![Koi Fish in the Canal]
🎨 Exploring the Streets and Finding Unique Manholes
As I continued walking, I discovered an eye-catching manhole cover featuring a vibrant design of koi fish. Japan is famous for its artistic manhole covers, and Gujo Hachiman is no exception. These colorful details add to the town’s charm and make for great photo opportunities.
![Decorative Manhole Cover]
🍡 A Relaxing Break at a Japanese Tea House
After strolling around the town, I stopped by Dango Chaya (団後茶屋), a cozy Japanese café. I ordered a set of grilled dango (sweet soy-glazed rice dumplings) and a refreshing iced milk tea. The café had a variety of soft drinks, including matcha and traditional Japanese teas. The relaxed tatami seating made for a perfect break before continuing my exploration.
![Dango and Iced Milk Tea]
✂️ Experiencing Traditional Japanese Crafts
One of the highlights of my visit was a hands-on experience at a washi (Japanese paper) specialty store. I participated in a workshop where I created beautiful paper flowers and preserved them in a herbarium bottle. Gujo Hachiman offers several traditional craft experiences, including tenugui (hand towel) dyeing and food sample making, making it a great place to immerse yourself in Japanese culture. You can read more about my craft experience here.
![Handmade Washi Flowers]
🏯 Where to Go After Exploring Gujo Hachiman
If you have time, I highly recommend visiting these nearby spots. Since they are best accessed by car, taking a taxi or renting a car is a great option.
🏯 Gujo Hachiman Castle
A must-visit site, Gujo Hachiman Castle is a beautifully reconstructed castle with stunning views of the town and surrounding mountains. The traditional architecture and scenic landscape make it a perfect spot for history lovers and photographers.
📍 Parking near Gujo Hachiman Castle on Google Maps
🌊 Otaki Limestone Cave
For a mystical and relaxing experience, head to Otaki Limestone Cave. A short cable car ride takes you to the cave entrance, where you can explore its breathtaking formations. The cool underground air and tranquil atmosphere make it a refreshing escape from the outside world.
📍 Otaki Limestone Cave on Google Maps
🏡 Recommended Accommodation: A Hot Spring Retreat
If you plan to stay overnight, I recommend Sugishima, a ryokan (Japanese inn) located about 40 minutes away by car. This tranquil hot spring inn offers a perfect way to relax after a day of exploring Gujo Hachiman. Read about my stay at Sugishima here.
Gujo Hachiman is a fantastic place for travelers who appreciate history, culture, and traditional Japanese charm. Whether you’re feeding koi, enjoying a Japanese tea house, or trying hands-on craft experiences, this town offers something for everyone.
If you want to learn more about Gujo Hachiman’s craft experiences, check out my separate article! We introduce experiences such as tenugui (hand towel) making, food sample crafting, and creating washi paper flowers to preserve in a herbarium.
