Gujo Hachiman Old Town Hall Memorial Museum

The Gujo Hachiman Old Town Hall Memorial Museum was originally used as the town hall’s main office until 1994. Today, it serves as a tourist information center and also includes a gift shop, a café, and spaces where visitors can experience Gujo Odori.
Built in 1936, the building is a retro-style, two-story wooden structure inspired by Western architecture. One of its main architectural features is the roof truss, which uses the truss construction method, considered one of the most advanced building techniques of its time.
The truss construction method is based on triangular structures and was commonly used in the construction of bridges requiring great strength and stability.
Examples of truss construction from 1930s Japan are rare, making this building a valuable opportunity to see the technique in an actual historic structure.
The café and souvenir sections offer a variety of local specialties unique to Gujo Hachiman. Popular café items include pudding and chiffon cake made with eggs from Okumino Kojidori chickens, as well as rice topped with fresh raw egg.
Alongside local specialties such as Gujo miso and Myogata ham, the souvenir shop also sells DVDs featuring lessons on how to dance Gujo Odori.