National Treasure in Landlocked Prefecture
As a landlocked prefecture in the center of Honshu, the hidden gems of Gifu (岐阜県) are more than Shirakawa-go (白川鄉) and the Takayama (高山).
It is estimated that there were 5000 castles at the peak in Japan. After defeating the Toyotomi clan (豐臣氏) at the Siege of Osaka (大坂の陣), Tokugawa Shogunate (徳川幕府) issued the “One Castle per Province Law (一国一城令)” in 1615 to prevent military resistance of rival clans and cement his unification of Japan. Over 100 castles were dismantled or destroyed due to the Castle Abolition Edict (廃城令) of 1873 in order to centralise the Meiji Government.
Japan celebrates Castle Day every 6th April. The combination of the number 4 and 6 is “城 (しろ)”, indicating its significance. Currently, there are over 100 castles in Japan. Only 12 are considered as original surviving castles, aka “genzon tenshu (現存天守)”, which survived from the feudal era. Matsumoto castle (松本城), Hikone castle(彦根城), Inuyama castle (犬山城), Himeji castle (姬路城) and Matsue castle (松江城) are National Treasure (国宝) while the rest are Important Cultural Properties （重要文化財).
Among all, the Inuyama Castle was built in 1537 by Oda Yojirou Nobuyasu (織田信康), which was the uncle of Oda Nobunaga (織田信長). The latter is one of the greatest samurai warriors, who attempted to unify the nation during the period of the Warring States (戦国時代). In the Battle of Komaki Nagakute, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊田秀吉) waged war against Tokugawa leyasu (徳川家康) and Oda Nobukatsu, whose forces were spread over Komaki Mountain.
During the Edo Period, lordship was bestowed on Naruse Masanari (成瀨正成) in 1617 and was maintained by his descendants until the Meiji Period. The castle lost most of its administrative and political status. Consequently, most of the surrounding buildings were torn down. The central keep and the stone wall were the only structures left intact. Remember to pray for matchmaking in Sanko Inari Shrine (三光稲荷神社) and Himekame Shrine (姫亀神社) when you walk towards the Kiso River.
There were 69 post stations (宿) in the 532 km long route between Nihonbashi in Edo and Sanjo Ohashi in Kyoto. Known as the Mino Nakasendo (美濃中山道), this section of the Nakasendo is home to 16 juku and passes through the nature. Next to the Tsumago-juku (妻籠宿), the Kisoji Magome-juku (馬籠宿) is the 43rd post town. The settlements of houses lined in rows on both sides of the Natasado Highway, still retain remnants of the Edo period even today.
Nothing is better than ending the trip with the traditional Goheimochi (五平餅). Created in the Edo period in the Kiso and Hida areas, this snack is made with grilled leftover rice on sticks over bonfires by mountain workers and lumberjacks. Its name originated from the zigzag paper wands used in Shinto rituals. It became popular in the Chubu region, including Gifu, Nagano and Aichi prefectures, especially by the promotion of the anime film “Your Name”.
Don’t forget the Ena Gorge (恵那峡). Craved by the Kiso River upstream from the Oi Dam, this river valley runs through the cities Ena and Nakatsugawa. Standing in the observation deck next to the Enakyo Wonderland, what do you think the rocks formed by erosion resemble?
留言