Gujo Hachiman Castle

郡上八幡城

Gujo Hachiman Castle stands on a hill above the old castle town of Gujo Hachiman. Its history began in 1559, when Endo Morikazu built a fort here. The present keep is known as the oldest wooden reconstructed castle in Japan, and its stone walls are a prefectural historic site. In early to mid-November the autumn leaves are beautiful and the castle is lit up at night.

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Visitor information

Opening hours: March–May and September–October: 9:00–17:00. June–August: 8:00–18:00. November–February: 9:00–16:30.
Closed: Closed from December 20 to January 10.
Admission: Adults 400 yen, children 200 yen (group discount for 20 or more).
Getting there: From Gujo-Hachiman Station, take the Mame Bus (red route) to Joka-machi Plaza, then walk about 20 minutes. About 12 minutes by car from Gujo-Hachiman IC.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

The road to the top is very narrow and winding, so drivers may prefer the park or Joka-machi Plaza parking lots.

Tips for Muslim visitors

The road up to the castle on the summit is very narrow and winding, with many people walking it; if you are not confident driving, use the park car park or the Jokamachi Plaza car park.
By bus, the castle is about a 20-minute walk from the Jokamachi Plaza stop (Mame Bus red route), so allow extra time when planning around prayer times.
Inside many castle keeps you take off your shoes and climb steep, narrow wooden stairs. Wear socks and clothing that is comfortable for climbing.
Castle grounds are large. Plan a prayer stop before or after your visit at one of the places to pray listed below.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Gifu and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.