On Day 1 of our Fall Break Adventure, we headed deep into the mountains of Gifu Prefecture to visit Gujo Hachiman. This quaint Japanese town is famous for its pristine, crystal-clear waterways and historic streets.

We kicked off our day by following the irresistible aroma of roasting spices straight to a local gem along the riverbank. Sitting just a stone’s throw from the rushing waters of the Yoshida River, we dug into an delicious Indian lunch of rich, aromatic curry while listening to the soothing, rhythm of the river.

With full bellies, we spent the afternoon wandering down the narrow, historic lanes of the town’s preserved districts, browsing through boutiques filled with handmade local crafts and traditional goods. As we walked, we couldn’t help but marvel at the continuous network of small, beautifully maintained canals running right beside the footpaths. Seeing the locals use the pristine waters just as they have for hundreds of years made the whole town feel like a living, breathing museum.

Saving the grandest finale for last, we braced our legs and began the steep, winding walk up Shiroyama (Castle Mountain). The 15-to-20-minute hike up the mountain trail is a bit of a workout, but every step is worth it as the dense canopy opens up to reveal the striking white walls of Gujo Hachiman Castle.

Reconstructed out of wood in 1933, it’s Japan’s oldest reconstructed wooden castle. Stepping inside, the dark timber floors creak underfoot as you climb the steep, ladder-like stairs to the top floor.

When we finally reached the lookout, the view took our breath away. The entire town of Gujo Hachiman lay mapped out below us in the valley, cradled by the surrounding mountains and split by the very river where we had eaten lunch just hours before. Looking down over the sea of tiled roofs, it was the perfect end to Day 1 of our mountain escape!