Gujo Hachiman, also known as the Water City,

山々から流れ出た川が町中を巡り

is a city tucked away in the mountains of Gifu prefecture.

町は清流と共にあります。

The crisp mountain water forms rivers that run through the middle of the city.

山中を流れる川のいたる所で、鮎釣りを見かけます。

Here, this water is everything.

美味しく塩焼きされた鮎は町で売られています。

The entire drive up the mountain we saw fishermen catching ayu,

この町で水は、釣り、飲料、調理、掃除、水泳、そして若者の度胸試しと密接に関わっています。

which are deliciously fried and salted and sold on sticks in the city.

町では鯉がいたる所にいて、道脇の用水路にさえいます。

Other than fishing, the city uses this water to drink, cook, clean, swim,

こんな町が本当にあるんだね。

and even leap into as a rite of passage for young boys.

飛び込みで有名な新橋の高さは12mもあり、ビルの5階の高さに匹敵しますが、

Koi fish are everywhere here, even in the gutters alongside the street.

夏の間は、地元の若者たちが何人も飛び込みます。

Is this even a real place?

非常に危険なため、観光客には厳しく自粛するようにとの警告があります。

And after we just fed him!

過去に死亡した人もいますし、同じ高さからのダイブで重症を負う人は世界中にいます。

I wasn't expecting that.

なので、現地に行ったら警告に従ったほうが良いです。半分の高さでも危険です。

The largest river in the city is 12 meters, or 40 feet below street level.

しかし、近くに比較的安全な飛び込み岩があります。

The main bridge across this river is known as the jumping bridge,

町の通りは昔ながらの趣があり、手作りの商品が並ぶお店が沢山あります。

and throughout the summer you can watch young boys and men leaping into the river below.

また郡上は食品サンプルが有名で、日本中のレストランで見かけることができます。

Because it's so dangerous, inexperienced visitors aren't allowed to jump

自分で作る体験もできます。

since they likely don't have the skill and knowledge necessary to avoid major injury.

また、郡上は日本最長の盆踊りでも有名で、丸々1ヶ月を踊り明かします。

A healthy young man has died here in the past,

郡上八幡は本当に美しい町です。

and around the world people die every year leaping from this height into water,

日本という異国の地の伝統的な一面を体感できます。

so real talk, guys, if you ever visit, don't jump.

今までで一番好きな場所でした。10点満点です。

Even jumps at half that height can cause concussions and injuries. It's not for tourists.

もし訪れるのであれば、是非盆踊りにあわせて行って見てください。

However just up the river there are smaller rocks that are safer to leap from

水着も忘れずに。

if you're an experienced swimmer.

The city streets are very traditional and filled with shops full of hand-crafted items.

Although not exactly a traditional Japanese item, the most famous hand-crafted products

here are fake food samples, which you'll find displayed outside of restaurants all

across Japan.

You can even make them yourself if you want!

Do you want a drink? [Well water]

Is it okay?

Thank you!

It's good!

Everyone have some!

Jun, you haven't had any!

Yum.

Thank you!

These vegetables are unattended. You just put money in the can and take what you want.

The city also holds one of the largest and most famous Bon Odori festivals in Japan,

lasting the entire month of August,

with four days where the city dances straight through the night.

Gujo Hachiman is an absolutely beautiful city unlike anything I've seen before.

It was one of those rare experiences that really transported me somewhere new,

and made me feel like “This is Japan.”

It's my favorite place I've been so far, and it gets the elusive Rachel 10/10.

If you have the chance to visit in late summer, I can't recommend it enough.

Don't forget your swimsuit!