At Yoshidaya Minonishiki, we are a humble, unpretentious eel restaurant.

Our menu features only what you see here: eel and sweetfish (ayu), prepared with the pristine local spring water.

We would be honored if you find yourself saying, “This is exactly the kind of flavor you’d expect from the clear waters of Gujo Hachiman.”

I have always believed that the ingredients nurtured by Japan’s natural environment are the gentlest on the Japanese body—and the most delicious.

While we are deeply concerned about the decline of local agriculture and fisheries, we source our ingredients from Hida, Mino, and Mikawa.

We are committed to using only domestic ingredients, and since our founding, we have used the same brand of seasonings—additive-free and without artificial coloring.

We value “delicious” over “beautiful.”

Rather than aiming to impress the senses, we focus on the essence of the dish.

Our menu may seem old-fashioned—unchanged for over 130 years—but here in Gujo Hachiman, where time moves just a half-step behind the rest of the world, we hope you’ll find that just right.

Located in the heart of the city, the former town hall of Hachiman was built in 1936 (Showa 11) in a Western architectural style.

It is a two-story wooden structure with a total floor area of about 800 square meters.

Its exterior features wooden siding and tall, elegant windows. The roof was constructed using the truss method, which was cutting-edge technology at the time.

The building served as the Hachiman Town Hall until 1994 and was designated a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan in 1998.

In 1999, it reopened as the Gujo Hachiman Former Government Building Memorial Hall, and now serves as the town’s main tourist information center.

Inside, you’ll find the offices of the Gujo Hachiman Tourism Association and the Gujo Hachiman Industrial Promotion Foundation, making it a central hub for tourism in the area.

Facilities:

– Tourist Information Desk

– Local Souvenir & Specialty Shop

– Light Snack Café

– Free Rest Area

These are two- or three-section water basins that channel natural spring or mountain water.

They represent the deep connection between the people of Gujo Hachiman and their way of life centered around water.

Many are found in private homes, while others are installed throughout the town for visitors to enjoy and refresh themselves during their walk.

The first basin is used for drinking and washing food, the second for cleaning dishes.

Leftover bits of food flow into a lower pond, where they become food for carp and other fish.

The water is naturally purified and eventually flows into the river.

People avoid using strong detergents, always mindful of those living downstream.

This thoughtful, community-based system has helped preserve the beautiful cycle of clean, living water.

Gujo Hachiman — The Town of Water

Igawa Komichi is a small waterway that flows beside the Gujo Hachiman Former Government Building Memorial Hall.

It runs behind local houses, and in the summertime, you might even see watermelons being chilled in the stream.

Food Sample Art — A Unique Local Industry of Gujo Hachiman

Food replicas (shokuhin sampuru) are one of Gujo Hachiman’s most iconic local industries.

The Iwasaki Group, founded by the late Mr. Takizo Iwasaki, a native of Hachiman Town, has produced the majority of food samples seen throughout Japan.

Originally crafted from wax, these samples are now made with vinyl resin and silicone rubber, evolving into artistic creations admired for their detail and beauty.

At the Sample Kobo (“Sample Workshop”), Japan’s only food sample-themed tourist attraction, visitors can enjoy viewing these stunning works inside a traditional 150-year-old machiya townhouse, unique to this castle town.

We’ve been offering handmade food sample items—such as phone straps and keychains—that make for perfect souvenirs for over seven years now.

— Nostalgia Meets Food Sample Art

The Retro Art Museum is a one-of-a-kind tourist attraction in Japan, blending nostalgic retro themes with the world of food sample art—something only Sample Kobo can create.

Inside, you’ll be transported back in time to the Showa era, with a retro atmosphere from the 1950s to the 1990s.

The museum is filled with nostalgic food samples, vintage toys, home appliances, books, and magazines.

You’re welcome not just to look, but also to touch, interact, and take photos with the exhibits.

What makes the Retro Art Museum truly unique is that it offers more than just viewing—visitors can experience making their own food samples, turning nostalgia into a hands-on art experience.

In addition to the Retro Art Museum, Gujo Hachiman has much to offer: historical architecture, traditional festivals, and breathtaking natural scenery.

We invite you to explore the charm of Gujo Hachiman alongside your visit to the Retro Art Museum.

Gujo Hachiman is one of the towns in Japan best known for its exceptionally clean water.

Yanaka Mizu-no-Komichi is a symbolic spot of the town, where you can enjoy a peaceful and picturesque stroll along a stone-paved path lined with flowing waterways and graceful willow trees.

It’s a place that truly captures the charm and beauty of Gujo Hachiman.

This spring is a symbol of Gujo Hachiman, the town of water.

It has a historical connection to the Kokin Denshu tradition from the Muromachi period.

In 1471, the poet Sogi received a special lesson about classical Japanese poetry (Kokin Wakashu) from Lord Tō Tsuneyori, who ruled Gujo at the time.

When Sogi was returning to Kyoto, the two stopped by this spring and exchanged poems.

Because of that moment, the spring is also called “Shirakumo-sui,” meaning “Water of White Clouds.”