権七水屋
Kamioka town, situated northeast of Hida Furukawa, is renowned for its clean, cool spring water. The surrounding mountains supply the town’s steady flow of water, making it a refreshing summer time spot. Due to the abundance of fresh water—a result of the terrain of the town's river banks—Kamioka is populated with numerous communal mizuya, or water rooms, where residents come together to utilize the spring water. One such popular mizuya is Gonshichi.
The Gonshichi Mizuya is said to date back over 100 years and is located on the Takahara River, with its rustic wooden walls and detailing speak to its historic past. Inside, visitors will find sturdy stone sinks beside miniature water channels, as well as ladles for sampling the water — it is also said cooling fruit or vegetables in the water will enhance their flavor.
For years, Gonshichi Mizuya has been a cherished beacon of Kamioka’s crystal-clean water and an important place of gathering for the area’s residents. The everpresent sound of running water is truly hypnotizing, making such mizuya not only a cultural experience, but also a tranquil one.
It is also possible to follow a walking course that links up with two other mizuya (Ushigaguchi and Yanagawa) in the local Kamioka area.
| Hours | Open daily |
|---|---|
| Access | 2 minute walk from Hida City Kamioka Promotion Office |
One of Hida Furukawa’s biggest annual events is the Furukawa Festival, held in April every year, which sees beautifully decorated floats (yatai) paraded through the city — but what happens to them during the rest of the year? There are 10 storehouses (屋台蔵, yatai-gura) aroun...
If you’re staying in the Hida area for a couple of days, a hike up to the top of Mount Anbou is well recommended. Suitable for hikers of all levels, the summit can be reached in about 1–1.5 hours and is a fairly leisurely climb, with plenty of nature to admire along the way. The trailhead is a...
