Gujō, Gifu

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Gujō 郡上市
City
Flag Seal
Location of Gujō in Gifu Prefecture
Gujō
Coordinates: 35°44′54.8″N 136°57′51.6″E / 35.748556°N 136.964333°E / 35.748556; 136.964333
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu
Prefecture	Gifu
First official recorded	82 AD
City settled	March 1, 2004
Government
• Mayor	Toshiaki Hioki[1]
Area
• Total	1,030.75 km2 (397.97 sq mi)
Population  (February 1, 2019)
• Total	41,858
• Density	41/km2 (110/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+9 (Japan Standard Time)
Phone number	0575-67-1121
Address	228 Shimatani, Hachiman-chō, Gujō-shi, Gifu-ken 501-4297
Climate	Cfa
Website	Official website
Symbols
Flower	Magnolia kobus
Tree	Maple

Gujō (郡上市, Gujō-shi) is a city located in Gifu, Japan. As of 1 February 2019^[update], the city had an estimated population of 41,858, and a population density of 41 persons per km², in 15,341 households.^[2] The total area of the city was 851.21 square kilometres (328.65 sq mi), including Gujo Hachiman, a part of the city that was an independent town until 2004, and has a large summer Bon odori festival, Gujo Odori.^{[3][dead link]}

Geography[edit]

Gujō is located in west-central Gifu Prefecture. The headwaters of the Nagara River are in the city.

Waterways[edit]

Gujō's waterways operate the same way as they did in the 17th century. The canals and fountains 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, Gujō's drinking water is a source of local pride.

Gujō Hachiman is in a valley where three major fast-running rivers meet: the Yoshida, the Nagara and the Kodara. The local ayu, soba, and sake all depend on the water for their flavors.^[4] Some residents still use the town's unique system of small waterways to wash laundry and dishes, following a set of very strict rules that describe what may be washed where. This practice has survived for centuries and ensures that all households have access to clean water.^[4]

Climate[edit]

The city has a climate characterized by hot and humid summers, and mild winters (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Gujō is 12.8 °C (55.0 °F). The average annual rainfall is 2,689.8 mm (105.90 in) with July as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.3 °C (77.5 °F), and lowest in January, at around 0.8 °C (33.4 °F).^[5]

Neighbouring municipalities[edit]

• Gifu Prefecture
  • Takayama
  • Seki
  • Mino
  • Gero
• Fukui Prefecture
  • Ōno

Demographics[edit]

According to Japanese census data,^[9] the population of Gujō has declined steadily over the past 50 years.

History[edit]

Historically, the area around Gujō was part of the former Mino Province. During the Edo period, most of the area was under the control of Gujō Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate. During the post-Meiji restoration cadastral reforms, the area was organised into Gujō District, Gifu. The town of Hachiman was created on July 1, 1889, with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. The modern city of Gujō was established on March 1, 2004, from the merger of the towns of Hachiman, Shirotori and Yamato, and the villages of Meihō, Minami, Takasu and Wara (all from Gujō District).^[10]

Government[edit]

Gujō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city assembly of 18 members.

Economy[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2017)

Food replicas[edit]

Gujō is 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.

Education[edit]

Gujō has 22 public elementary schools and eight public middle schools operated by the city government, and two public high school operated by the Gifu Prefectural Board of Education.

Transportation[edit]

Railway[edit]

• - Nagaragawa Railway Etsumi-Nan Line
  • Hanno - Konno - Yasaka - Minami-Kodakara-Onsen - Ōya - Fukuno - Minami-Kariyasu - Akaike - Fukado - Aioi - Gujō-Hachiman - Shizen'en-mae - Yamada - Tokunaga - Gujō-Yamato - Manba - Kamimanba - Ōnaka - Ōshima - Mino-Shirotori - Shirotori-Kōgen - Hakusan-Nagataki - Hokunō

Highway[edit]

• Tōkai-Hokuriku Expressway
• National Route 156
• National Route 158
• National Route 256
• National Route 472

Local attractions[edit]

• Hirugano Botanical Garden
• Gujō Hachiman Castle

Gujō Odori[edit]

The dance festival — Gujō Odori — started over 400 years ago and continues today. During the four days of Obon in mid-August, dances continue all night. The dances begin on the same night as Kyoto's Gion Festival and continue for 30 nights. They begin at the Yasaka Shrine and move to another shrine each night. The Gujō Odori Preservation Society tell musical stories through an o-hayashi, which consists of a soloist, a shamisen, a taiko, and a shakuhachi.^[11] Listeners participate by dancing around the stage. During Urabon (August 13 to 16) the dancing continues until 5 a.m. More than 20,000 visitors come to town for the odori.^[11]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Gujo.

• Media related to Gujō, Gifu at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website (in Japanese)