Villa-rizo Furukawa

history

The History of Hida Furukawa

Hida Furukawa is a town in northern Gifu Prefecture. Once a castle town, it maintains its quiet atmosphere, which has led it to be called the Little Kyoto of Hida. The uniquely tranquil atmosphere and culture visitors experience on the streets of Hida Furukawa have made it another popular tourist destination in Japan.

The Town

Hida Furukawa was laid out during the Edo period by Kanamori Yoshishige, the son of Nagachika, a famous samurai. Yoshishige modelled the town after Kyoto, which is what gives it its ancient feel. The Seto River was a source of water for the town, and along its banks visitors can find the white-walled storehouses of sake breweries. Green willow trees cast their shade on the crystal clear waters of the river, which are home to more than 800 koi carp.

The Furukawa Festival

The annual Furukawa Festival is one of the “Yama, Hoko, Yatai Events” registered by UNESCO on their Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The festival is held by Keta Wakamiya Shrine on April 19th and 20th, and as a nationally-recognized Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property, it welcomes many visitors every year. One of the highlights of the festival is the parade of magnificent yatai, or floats, which are built by the exquisitely talented Hida no Takumi. The region is also home to a unique festive tradition called yobi-hiki, which involves inviting family and friends over to be treated to a feast during the festival.

The Hida no Takumi

In the past, those who lived in Hida-no-kuni were required to travel to the capital to build palaces and temples from wood. The buildings of Takayama and the ancient capital of Nara were built by the highly-skilled Hida no Takumi. Their working environment was so harsh that some people even ran away, but the skills acquired there have been passed down over the generations to the present day.

entrance

Entrance

The delicate gentleness of wood.
This space brings together the warmth inherent to wood as a natural material, with ancient Japanese balance and harmony, a concept known as “wa.”

room

Room

The lighting in the room brings a sense of relief and relaxation.
Soothing, natural light pours in from above in the room that also offers privacy.
Enjoy the private terrace to your heart’s content, whether grilling on the barbecue, enjoying a drink and a book, or simply getting lost in your thoughts.