Gujō, Gifu  Gujō is located in west-central Gifu Prefecture. The headwaters of the Nagara River are in the city. Gujō's famous pristine waterways operate the same way as they did in the 17th century. The canals, fountains, and waterways are still used for washing rice, vegetables, and laundry. Townspeople cooperate to keep the canals clean and the water fresh; as a result of their efforts, Gujō's drinking water is a source of local pride. Gujō Hachiman is in a valley where three major fast-running rivers meet: the Yoshida, Nagara and Kodara. Visitors come to enjoy the pure mineral water that flows from every tap in town. The clean water and sound environmental practices translate into good food and drink. Ayu, soba, and sake all depend on water for their flavor. Some residents can be seen using the town's unique system of small waterways to wash laundry and dishes following a very strict set of rules that describe what may be washed where. This practice has survived for centuries and ensures that all households have access to clean water. The city has a climate characterized by characterized by hot and humid summers, and mild winters (Köppen climate classification "Cfa"). The average annual temperature in Gujō is 13.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2569 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.6 °C, and lowest in January, at around 1.3 °C. Per Japanese census data, the population of Gujō ro has declined steadily over the past 40 years. The area around Gujō was part of traditional Mino Province. During the Edo period, most of the area was under the control of Gujō Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate. During the post-Meiji restoration cadastral reforms, the area was organised into Gujō District, Gifu. The town of Hachiman of created on July 1, 1889 with the establishment of the modern municipalities system. The modern city of Gujō was established on March 1, 2004, from the merger of the towns of Hachiman, Shirotori and Yamato, and the villages of Meihō, Minami, Takasu and Wara (all from Gujō District). Gujō has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 18 members.