Those who choose Kawabe for its culture will find two distinct connections to the Edo period: a sake-buying ritual associated with Hakusen Sake Brewery and the story of more than a thousand Nyorai statues at Myounji. In addition, walks along the Hida River promenade and rowing offer their own points of interest. The range extends from local customs and religious heritage to the local conditions for a water sport. When choosing the focus of your visit, you can distinguish between cultural history, a specific date, and activities by the river.

Cultural history with specific dates

The sake-buying ritual associated with Hakusen Sake Brewery has been practised since the Edo period. It is a specific historical and cultural connection for Kawabe: the focus is a buying custom with a long history of continuity. If you are interested in the history of local customs, you can consider both a particular practice and its historical context.

At Myounji Temple (妙雲寺) in Naka-kawabe, more than 1,000 Nyorai statues were donated during the Edo period by retainers and residents at the request of the feudal lord Ōshima. This is why the figures are known as the Sen-tai-Shaka-Nyorai statues. With more than a thousand figures, this tradition is a prominent religious highlight in Kawabe.

The statues are displayed each year on August 28 as part of a temple opening. The distinction from the sake ritual is important when planning your trip: if you want to see the display, check the date in advance; if you are visiting for the custom, confirm its specific timing. This means an annual display date and a separate schedule that needs to be confirmed.

Walks and rowing

Tokoji Park is a good place to take a break during walks along the Hida River promenade. It is near Yamakawa Bridge and a five-minute walk from Kawabe Town Hall. These two reference points help with orientation: the bridge situates the park in its surroundings, while the walking time indicates its distance from the town hall. If you want to plan a break during a walk, this gives you a specific place to keep in mind.

At the Kawabe Rowing Center, the focus is on the conditions for rowing. The construction of the Kawabe Dam has brought the river’s current almost to a standstill; bamboo and trees along the bank block the wind. Together, these features favor rowing. The explanation combines two different factors: the dam changes the current, while the riverside vegetation reduces the effects of the wind. This helps explain how the movement of the water and the growth along the banks together create favorable conditions.

Tokoji Park and the Rowing Center appeal to different interests: at the park, the focus is on taking a break during a walk; at the Rowing Center, it is on how the current and riverside vegetation affect rowing. You can choose which to focus on depending on whether you are more interested in a rest while walking or the conditions for a sport.

Discover more destinations: Minokamo, Seki, Kani, Gero, Hida, Ena, Shirakawa, Ōgaki

For the broader travel overview: Gifu Prefecture.