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Gujo Hachiman Castle is established at the top of Hachiman Mountain, located in the northeastern part of Gujo Hachiman City. It originated in the late Sengoku period, specifically in the second year of Eiroku (1559), built as a fortress by the famous warlord Endo Morikazu to prepare for warfare.
The current tenshu (main keep) was reconstructed in wood in Showa 8 (1933), referencing Ogaki Castle, and is the oldest existing wooden reconstructed castle in Japan. The white castle walls create a stunning landscape intertwined with the changing seasons, which was recorded by the author Ryotaro Shiba in his book "Street Walks" after he was moved by its beauty.
Inside the four-story, five-floor wooden tenshu, many artifacts related to Gujo Hachiman Castle are displayed. The top floor serves as an observation deck, offering a panoramic view of the castle town and the Okumino mountain range. Visitors can also receive a popular castle stamp made from handmade Mino washi (Japanese paper) as a memento of their visit (available at the entrance ticket office).
Additionally, Gujo Hachiman Castle is renowned for its beautiful autumn foliage. Every November, in addition to the Maple Leaf Festival, events such as illuminated maple leaf displays and special night openings of the castle are held to coincide with the peak of the autumn colors.
