The Backpack Adventures

Takayama City is currently the largest municipality in Japan in terms of land area. Located in the mountainous northern part of Gifu Prefecture, Takayama City has its fair share of unique culture and tradition worth seeing and experiencing.  Top 10 Things To Do in Takayama City For those who are planning to visit Takayama City , here's something that might help you make your visit a memorable one - the Top 10 Things To Do in Takayama City . 1. Take a stroll at  Sanmachi Suji District  (Takayama Old Town) The Sanmachi Suji District is a historic district in Takayama City . It has numerous well-preserved Edo Period houses that presently serve as museums, stores, and restaurants. 2. Witness the Takayama Festival Held every April 14 and 15 and October 9 and 10, Takayama Festival is regarded as one of the three most beautiful festivals in Japan. The highlight of this festival is the parade of floats called yatai .  3. Visit the  Takayama Matsuri Kaikan So you miss

Located at 1742-1 Sunomata, Ogaki City in Gifu Prefecture, Sunomata Castle ( 墨俣城 ) is one of Japan 's historical but reconstructed castles. Sunomata Castle   ( 墨俣城 ) Sunomata Castle History The original castle was built in 1567 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who was during that time, a minor retainer of Oda Nobunaga. The castle was named Sunomata Ichiya-jo (Castle) or simply Ichiya-jo which literally means "one night castle". It got its name from the legend that it was built only in one night.  Sunomata Castle 墨俣城 - Ogaki City, Gifu Prefecture The gourd or hyotan can be seen all around the castle as it is the symbol of the area Sunomata Castle One has to cross the Sai River or Naka River to get to the castle Sunomata Castle as seen from the middle of the bridge Hideyoshi built the castle to serve as his base and headquarters during the siege of Inabayama Castle (now Gifu Castle). Like what was written earlier, legend has it that Sunomata Castle wa

Located in 8 Daibutsu-cho Gifu City in Gifu Prefecture, Shoboji ( 正法寺 )  is known as the temple which houses one of the three largest Daibutsu or Great Buddha statues in Japan . Shoboji   ( 正法寺 ) Shoboji and Gifu Daibutsu History Officially named Kinpouzan Shobouji (Temple) and also called Shohoji , Shoboji was first established in 1638. It joined the Obaku school in 1692. Although the temple incorporated many aspects of the Obaku school, its architectural style and sacraments are in the Chinese style.  Shoboji - Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture Shoboji as seen from the road Buy your entrance ticket here. It's only 200 yen. Here's what appears to be a tsukubai but could also be a chozubachi or purification font As was already written, Shoboji houses one of the largest statues of Buddha in Japan. It was the 11th head priest of the temple, Ichyuu (Ichu) who planned for the construction of Gifu's Great Buddha in 1790. Sadly, he never saw the completed Buddh