Gifu岐阜県

Antique houses registered as a cultural heritage. Cormorant fishing, native dancing and the gorgeous Takayama-matsuri Festival.

Located in the center of Honshu, with more than 80% of its total area occupied by woods and forests, Gifu spreads out from the high mountain district of Hida down to the flat Nobi Plains downstream from the Kiso-sansen (three rivers) with a distinct gradient. The Hida Mountain Range, with their peaks rising as high as 3,000 meters above sea level, are part of Chubu-Sangaku National Park. The Ryohaku Mountains, with a vast forest of Japanese beech and alpine plants, are part of Haku-san National Park. Shirakawa-go, at the foot of Mt. Haku-san, is a must-see, where traditional steep rafter-roofed houses, registered as World Cultural Heritage stand side-by-side.

Gifu abounds with places of natural beauty, such as the Ena Valley, which is dotted with rocks and stones in fantastic shapes, and the Gero-onsen Hot Spring, a popular healingbath that dates back to about the 10th century.

Another thing you cannot miss in Gifu is the traditional Ukai, or fishing with cormorants, which began about 1,300 years ago. The event takes place on the Nagara-gawa River at various times between the spring and the fall.

Sekigahara is renowned as the site of the battle in 1600 that led the famous warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu to bring the whole country under his rule. Hida Takayama, where you can see alleys lined with old stores and houses, is known for the gorgeous Takayama-matsuri Festival. Every summer, Gujo Hachiman becomes the stage for the Gujo-odori Dance, which continues for 32 consecutive nights. Visitors can relax in Gifu's tranquil scenery and be fascinated by its traditional festivals.