Gaze at the castle town from Japan's oldest reconstructed wooden tower
About this spot
Perched 350 meters high atop Yawata Mountain stands Japan's oldest reconstructed wooden castle tower (rebuilt in 1933). After climbing the steep hill, you'll find a pristine white tower rising from the stone walls—often called 'Japan's Most Beautiful Mountain Castle.' Climbing the wooden stairs inside the tower rewards you with a bird's-eye view of the castle town clustered along the Yoshida River like a miniature landscape. Seeing tonight's dance-circle streets from above heightens the emotional resonance of what's to come. The wooden floor creaks with each step—a rustic charm unique to wood construction.
Season & hours
Name: 郡上おどり(徹夜おどり)
Date & time: 8/13 (Thu)–8/16 (Sun) 20:00–翌4:00頃(15日は翌5:00頃)
Venue: 郡上市八幡町・新町〜橋本町周辺(16日は本町)
2026年の郡上おどりは7月11日の発祥祭から9月5日のおどり納めまで31夜。その頂点が、お盆の8月13日から16日の4夜連続で行われる徹夜おどりです。20時、お囃子屋形から「かわさき」の唄が流れ始めると、旧庁舎記念館前の通りに踊りの輪がゆっくり動き出します。郡上おどりに観客席はなく、地元の人も旅行者も同じ輪で踊るのが400年続く流儀。10種類の曲はどれも数回まわれば体が覚え、日付が変わる頃には下駄の音が揃う一体感に鳥肌が立ちます。翌朝5時まで続く夜を、どこまで踊り明かすかはあなた次第。夕食と浴衣への着替えを済ませて、まずは輪の外から手ぶりを真似るところから始めましょう。
Tips
徹夜おどりは雨天でも基本開催(荒天時は要確認)。会場周辺は車両通行止めになり、駐車場は早い時間に満車になるため、市街地外の臨時駐車場やシャトルの利用が安心です。踊り下駄や浴衣は城下町でレンタル・購入できます。仮眠できる宿は早期に満室になるので手配はお早めに。帰路の運転は睡眠を十分とってから。
Tips
From the castle town to the tower is a steep 15–20 minute walk uphill. Bring water—summer heat makes you sweat. Admission required (combo ticket with the museum available). If driving, you can ascend near the summit, but the road is narrow—drive carefully. Descend at a gentle pace to spare your knees.
Best time to visit
About 1 hour (including round-trip uphill walk). Afternoon light beautifully illuminates the castle's white walls.
Access & map
〒501-4214 岐阜県郡上市八幡町柳町６５９ 一の平 ６５９
Model course featuring this spot
2026 Gujo Odori (All-Night Dance) Full-Day Immersion Course
Gifu
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