Gujo Hachiman

Gujo Hachiman is a small, riverside town in Gifu Prefecture, known for its pristine waterways and its distinctive summer dance festival. The town was founded in the 16th century following the construction of Hachiman Castle.

Gujo's waterways function in much the same capacity as they did in the 1600s. Walking through town provides visitors with a look at the many canals, fountains and waterways that are still used for washing rice, vegetables and laundry. Townspeople cooperate to keep the canals clean and the water fresh; as a result of their efforts, Gujo's drinking water is a source of local pride.

Gujo Odori is the name of the large summer dance festival held in Gujo Hachiman. The festival started over 400 years ago and continues today for a period of thirty-one festival nights between July and September. During the four days of Obon in mid August, dances continue all through the night.

Gujo is also a leading producer of food replicas in Japan. Many of the food replicas, used by restaurants to decorate their windows and inform patrons of their dishes, are produced here. Visitors can try their hand at creating wax shrimp tempura in some of the workshops.

Photo:

"Gujo hachiman castle P8117454" by Akiyoshi's Room - Akiyoshi's Room. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gujo_hachiman_castle_P8117454.jpg#/media/File:Gujo_hachiman_castle_P8117454.jpg

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Gifu Umbrellas (岐阜和傘)

Gifu Umbrellas (岐阜和傘), or Gifu Japanese Umbrellas, are a special product of the city of Gifu in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. They have been labeled as one of Gifu's traditional crafts.

Gifu Umbrellas are made using Mino washi, a strong local paper. A number of natural materials are used in the production process and there are a limited number of people who have the skills to make the umbrellas.

Among traditional crafts in Japan, Gifu Umbrellas are particularly difficult to make with over 100 steps involved from start to finish. Because of all the skills required to make the umbrellas, it would be difficult for one person to make an umbrella through each step.

Gifu umbrella 

岐阜和傘、または岐阜日本の傘は、岐阜県岐阜市の特産品である。これらは、岐阜県の伝統工芸品の一つとして標識されている。

岐阜傘は、美濃和紙、地元の強い紙を使用して作られています。天然素材の数は、製造工程で使用され、傘を作る能力を持っている人の数は限られて存在する。

日本の伝統工芸の中では、岐阜傘は最初から最後まで関与して100以上の手順で行うことが特に困難である。一人がそれぞれの工程を経て傘を作るためのため傘を作るために必要なすべてのスキルのは困難であろう。

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Gokayama (五箇山)

Gokayama (五箇山) is an area within the city of Nanto in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. It has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its traditional gasshō-zukuri houses, alongside nearby Shirakawa-gō in Gifu Prefecture.

The survival of this traditional architectural style is attributed to the region's secluded location in the upper reaches of the Shōgawa river. This is also the reason that Gokayama's lifestyle and culture remained very traditional for many years after the majority of the country had modernized. Many of the houses easily surpass 300 years in age.

The Gokayama region includes the former villages of Taira, Kamitaira, and Toga. The gasshō hamlet of Ainokura is located in Taira, while that of Suganuma is in Kamitaira; both are nationally-designated Historic Sites.

Photo:

"五箇山相倉合掌集落02" by Minque at Japanese Wikipedia - Transferred from ja.wikipedia to Commons by Mps2 using CommonsHelper.. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%E4%BA%94%E7%AE%87%E5%B1%B1%E7%9B%B8%E5%80%89%E5%90%88%E6%8E%8C%E9%9B%86%E8%90%BD02.jpg#/media/File:%E4%BA%94%E7%AE%87%E5%B1%B1%E7%9B%B8%E5%80%89%E5%90%88%E6%8E%8C%E9%9B%86%E8%90%BD02.jpg

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