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Antique houses
registered as a cultural heritage
Time-honored cormorant fishing and the gorgeous Takayama festival
Located in the center of Honshu, with more than four fifths 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
of the Kiso-sansen (three rivers) with a distinct gradient. Hida
mountains with their peaks rising as high as 3,000 meters above the
sea belong to Chubu-Sangaku National Park. The Ryohaku mountainous
district with a vast forest of Japanese beech and alpine plants is
part of Hakusan National Park. Shirakawa-go at the foot of Mt. Hakusan
is a must to take in, where antique steep rafter-roofed houses
registered as a cultural heritage of the world stand side by side.
Gifu abounds with places of natural beauty, like Ena-kyo valley dotted
with rocks and stones of fantastic shapes and the Gero hot springs
dating back to about the 10th century as a popular watering place.
Another thing you cannot miss in Gifu is the traditional Ukai, or
fishing with cormorants, dating from about 1,300 years ago. The event
takes place on Nagara-gawa River at various times between spring and
fall. Sekigahara is renowned as the theater of the showdown in 1600
that led Tokugawa Ieyasu, a famous warlord, 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, Gujyohachiman becomes the stage of Guyjo dance
that continues for 30 consecutive nights. Gifu softens the visitors to
Gifu with its tranquil scenery and fascinates them with its
traditional splendid festivals.
Getting there
About 1 hour 40 minutes from Nagoya Station to Tokyo Station by JR
Tokaido Shinkansen Line; about 20 minutes from Nagoya Station to Gifu
Station by JR Tokaido Line. About 37 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station
to Maibara Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line; about 40 minutes
from Maibara Station to Gifu Station by JR Tokaido Line.
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Ena-kyo Valley
Popular for its scenery with cherry, azalea and autumn leaves
A valley with many unusual shaped stones and rocks
Ena-kyo Valley is located in the eastern part of Gifu,
stretching from the artificial lake where Kiso-gawa River is dammed
by Oi dam to the upper stream of Nakatsu-gawa River. It has
precipitous cliffs with many unusually shaped stones and rocks that
were created by erosion. Kasa-iwa rock is known as the rare shaped
rock, along with Beni-iwa rock that is covered entirely by a reddish
brown moss, because it is shaped as if piercing the land and it is
designated as a natural monument. Ena-kyo Valley is also popular for
its scenery with cherry, azalea and autumn leaves looking even more
attractive with the huge rock.
Ena-kyo Valley can also been seen and enjoyed from on board one of
the sightseeing boats on the river and also from Ena-kyo ropeway. On
the north bank of Ena-kyo, there is an amusement park called Ena-kyo
Land where you can enjoy 25 different attractions including a big
Ferris wheel from which you can have a 360-degree view of Ena-kyo
and the southern Japan Alps.
To the south of Ena-kyo, runs Nakasen-do highway connecting Edo
(today's Tokyo) and Kyoto. The area from Magome-juku to Ochiai-juku
is called Jikkyoku-toge Pass. This stone-paved, dark, quiet old
highway running through a dense hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood
remains just as it used to be in 17th to19th century.
Getting there
By JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line for 1 hour and 40 minutes from
Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station, for 1 hour from Shin-Osaka Station
to Nagoya Station. By JR Chuo Main Line for 1 hour from Nagoya
Station to Ena Station. By bus for 15 minutes from Ena Station to
Ena-kyo Valley.
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Gero-onsen Hot Spring
One of the three best hot springs in Japan
Amateur Kabuki performances are held in the spring and autumn
Gero-onsen Hot Spring, located in the middle eastern part of
Gifu on the border with Nagano has been known as a spa since the
10th century. It is considered one of the three best hot springs in
Japan and is renown to be very good for rheumatic ailments. The "Yu-meijin
Yu-meguri Tegata" pass, that allows you to visit three other hot
springs other than the one you are staying at, is available.
Amateur Kabuki performances are held in spring by the Ho-o-za troupe
and in autumn by the Haku-un-za troupe. This is a hundred year-old
performing art peculiar to the local farming villages, and is a
simple play performed by local people not only as stage carpenters
and stage lighting engineers but also as actors. At the Ryujin
(Dragon) Fire Festival held in midsummer, men controlling five
dragons are sprayed with sparks of fire from handheld fireworks and
torches, whilst performing valiant dances. For the following two
days Gero-onsen-matsuri Festival is held. A portable shrine carried
by women on the second day and approximately 2,000 fireworks on the
third day are also very impressive.
In the winter Ta-no-kami-matsuri Festival, designated as an
important cultural asset is held. The Festival reaches its climax
when men clad in hats adorned with flowers made with red, yellow and
white rice paper dance in the shrine compound.
Getting there
About 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station by
JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. About 55 minutes from Shin Osaka Station
to Nagoya Station. About 1 hour 37 minutes from Nagoya Station to
Gero Station by JR Takayama Honsen Limited Express.
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Gifu City
A castle town which prospered at the foot of Mt. Kinka-zan
Watch cormorant fishing on the clear water of Nagara-gawa River
Gifu is situated in the northern part of Nobi Plains in the
southern part of Gifu Prefecture. At the time of the Kamakura era in
the 13th century, it prospered as a castle town of Gifu Castle built
on the peak of Mt. Kinka-zan. The current donjon of the Gifu Castle
was rebuilt in the mid-20th century.
Gifu Park situated in
the center of the city has a three-storied pagoda, the Nawa Insect
Museum, and a landing stop for the Mt. Kinka-zan Ropeway on its
approximately 200,000 square-meter compound. A spring Shinto ritual
held at the Tejikarao-jinja Shrine, the Tejikarao Fire Festival, is
a grand fire festival as the name suggests, and portable shrines
dance boisterously in the air amidst a rain of falling sparks.
From spring to autumn, at the side of Nagara-gawa River at the foot
of Mt. Kinka-zan, cormorant fishing, a way of catching Japanese
river trout with tamed cormorants that has been carried out since
the 9th century, takes place. At night the cormorant fishermen with
Kazaori Eboshi (a unique hat) and grass skirts, line their boats
side by side, and under the light of torches catch river trout
simultaneously. You can watch the whole process closely aboard a
tour boat. In summer, Nagara-gawa River Fire Works, which boasts the
largest number of fireworks in the country, is held.
Getting there
About 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station by
JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. About 20 minutes from Nagoya Station to
Gifu Station by JR Tokaido Line. About 37 minutes from Shin Osaka
Station to Maibara Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen, and about 40
minutes from Maibara Station to Gifu Station by JR Tokaido Line.
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Nihon Rhine
One of the three largest rapid streams in Japan
Watch fantastically shaped rocks while boating down the Rhine
It takes about an hour to boat down the Nihon Rhine, the rapid
stream of Kiso-gawa River, one of the three largest and fastest
streams in Japan. It is very thrilling to go down the valley by
small boat. The Nihon Rhine is located in the southern part of Gifu
in a 13 km valley that runs from the meeting point of Kiso-gawa
River mid stream and Hida-gawa River, to Inuyama of Aichi. It was
named the Nihon Rhine for its scenic resemblance to the Rhine in
Germany.
Places to see around the Nihon Rhine are the residence of former
Ota-waki Honjin Hayashi-ke that was built in 1769, and Matsui-ya
Shuzo Shiryo-kan. The latter has a main building built in a style
typical of a tradesman's house and a sake brewery from 1795.
Zuirin-ji Temple has in its possession a wooden statue of Maitreya
with a face that is almost a meter long. In Inuyama, Aichi
Prefecture, the final stop of the Rhine rafting is Inuyama Castle
towering on the cliff on the north side of Kiso-gawa River.
Getting there
About 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station by
JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. About 45 minutes from Nagoya Station to
Mino Ota Station by JR Takayama Honsen Line, and about 25 minutes
from Gifu Station. About 37 minutes from Shin Osaka Station to
Maibara Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line, and about 40 minutes
from Maibara Station to Gifu Station by JR Tokaido Line. About 5
minutes from Mino Ota Station to Nihon Rhine Josen Center by bus.
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Oku-Hida
Oku-Hida has 5 hot springs
Mountain climbing base of the Northern Japan Alps
Oku-Hida is located in the northern
part of Gifu and is a general term for the area along Takahara-gawa
River which is an upper stream of Zintsu-gawa River. Hot springs
such as Hirayu, Fukuchi, Shin-Hirayu, Tochio, and Shinhodaka are
scattered around the west foot of the Japan Alps, a 3,000
meter-range of mountains. Hirayu-onsen Hot Spring is surrounded by a
white birch wood at the west foot of Mt. Norikura, and they say that
it was originally discovered in 16th century when someone saw a
monkey washing its wound with water from the hot springs. Since then
it has developed and has been known as the healing springs.
The town of Hirayu has the Hirayu Folklore Museum, which consists of
an old straw house from 250 years ago that has been reconstructed.
This museum is unique since it has an open-air bath attached to it.
You can see Hirayu-otaki Waterfall not far from the town. This
waterfall is 6 meters wide and 64 m high. During winter the
temperature drops down to -15 degrees Celsius and the frozen
waterfall is illuminated by light. The Hirayu Waterfall Ice Festival
is held here every winter.
The Shin-Hodaka-onsen Hot Spring is located alongside a Kamata-gawa
River. The open air-bath within this spring is also known as the
healing spring by many alpinists. This Shin-Hodaka-onsen Hot Spring
is a mountain climbing base of the Northern Japan Alps. You can
enjoy 11 minutes of breathtaking aerial views by taking 2 ropeways
from Shin-Hodaka station (1117 m above sea level) to Nishi-Hodaka
station. (2156 m above sea level).
Getting there
By JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line for 1 hour and 40 minutes from
Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station, for 1 hour from Osaka Station to
Nagoya Station. By JR Takayama Line for 2 hour and 10 minutes from
Nagoya Station to Takayama Station. By bus for 1 hour from Takayama
Bus Terminal to Hirayu-onsen.
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Oku-Mino and Gujo
Hachiman
Stalactites that turn red and pink
Gujo Odori, a dance that continues for 30 nights
Located almost right in the central part of Gifu, Oku-Mino's
center is Gujyo Hachiman, where the upper stream of Nagara-gawa
River and its branch Yoshida-gawa River meet. It prospered as a
castle town in the 16th century and even today preserves old streets
defined by Bengara-goshi lattice. The current castle was rebuilt in
the early 20th century and in the donjon are many weapons and armor
that were used in the old days.
Soso-sui Spring, or precious water that springs out at the foot of
Shimizu Bridge over Odara-gawa River, that runs through the
near-center of town, is known as one of the best waters in Japan. On
the southern side of the central district is Otaki-shonyu-do
Stalactite Cavern, about 700 meters long and 100 meters high. Inside
the cavern is a big 30-meter waterfall that is said to be the
largest underground waterfall in Japan. A must-see attraction here
are the rare stalactites that turn red and pink, which you cannot
see elsewhere. In the summer is Gujo Odori, a dance that continues
for 30 nights. The four days of the climax is called All-Night Dance
and tourists join in to dance from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. the next
morning.
Getting there
About 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station by JR
Tokaido Shinkansen Line. About 45 minutes from Nagoya Station to
Mino Ota Station by JR Takayama Honsen Line. About 37 minutes from
Shin Osaka Station to Maibara Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line,
and about 40 minutes from Maibara Station to Gifu Station by JR
Tokaido Line. About 25 minutes from Gifu Station to Mino Ota Station
by JR Takayama Honsen Line. About 1 hour 25 minutes from Mino Ota
Station to Gujo Hachiman Station by Nagaragawa Tetsudo Line.
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Shirakawa-go
A chain of houses built in the gassho-zukuri style
A village that preserves Japan's rural scenerya
Shirakawa-go is situated at the
foot of Mt. Hakusan, a mountain in the northwestern part of Gifu. It
is a quiet village among the hills surrounded by mountains, with
rice fields and a river running through it. About 110 houses with
steep rafter roof stand next to each other and UNESCO registered the
whole of Shirakawa-go as a World Heritage Site in 1995.
The
outdoor museum, Gassho-zukuri Minka-en, has moved and preserved 25
houses built in the gassho-zukuri style from various parts of
Shirakawa-go. A temple, a coalhouse and a horse paddock have been
built, preserving the old scenery as it were. They have live
performances of traditional industrial arts like dying and weaving
and you can experience them yourself. At a soba hall you can try
making Japanese soba noodles. In the autumn, Doburoku-matsuri
Festival is hosted. Doburoku is white, cloudy sake that is served to
visitors. In the compound of Shirakawa Hachiman-jinja Shrine, one of
the venues of this festival is Doburoku-matsuri Hall, which
introduces a traditional dance with a lion's mask. Other events held
at the Festival use dolls and miniatures. Ogimachi Jyoseki Lookout
is the best spot to obtain a panoramic view of the village.
Getting there
About 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station by
JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line, and about 45 minutes from Nagoya Station
to Mino Ota Station by JR Takayama Honsen Line. About 37 minutes
from Shin Osaka Station to Maibara Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen
Line, and about 40 minutes from Maibara Station to Gifu Station by
JR Tokaido Line. About 25 minutes from Gifu Station to Mino Ota
Station by JR Takayama Honsen Line. About 2 hours from Mino Ota
Station to Mino Shiratori Station by Nagara-gawa Tetsudo Line. About
1 hour 50 minutes to Hagi Machi-ai Shuraku by JR bus to Hatogaya.
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Takayama
One of the three largest and most beautiful festivals in Japan
A town of lineal beauty - projecting lattice and eaves of uniform
height
Takayama in the northern part of Gifu Prefecture is a castle
town at the foot of Takayama Castle built in the 16th century. It is
a town of old wooden houses standing side by side, and its lineal
beauty, highlighted by projecting lattice and eaves of uniform
height, draws visitors' attention. Takayama-matsuri Festival,
believed to have begun in the 16th to 17th century, is one of the
three largest and most beautiful festivals in Japan. At the
Festival, intricate floats roam around the city. The floats,
utilizing the essence of Hida's traditional techniques, are dazzling
and magnificent. Takayama-matsuri Festival is held in spring and
autumn every year. In the spring the central shrine is Hie-jinja
Shrine, and in autumn, the central shrine is Sakura-yama Hachiman-gu
Shrine.
At the Shishi Kaikan, there is a live performance of the marionettes
used in the festival. In both spring and autumn there are events
held at the Takayama Shisei Kinenkan that allow women to wear kimono
and men to wear hakama, and then tour the city.
Other
tourist spots include Kyodo Gangu-kan that exhibits folk-art toys
from all over Japan, Hida Minzoku-kan that passes down facts and
images of life at farming villages in Hida, and Takayama Shrine,
which administered politics in the 17th century during the Edo
period. Takayama Shrine's Gate and Examination House remain the way
they were in the 19th century, the time of their renovation. In
front of the shrine is a morning market and wives of local farmers
sell fresh vegetables and mountain vegetables that were harvested
that day, as well as homemade miso (Japanese bean paste) and
folk-art goods.
There are
many skiing resorts nearby. Takayama is also popular as a base for
sightseeing trips to Mt. Norikura-dake, Shirakawa-go and Chubu
Mountains National Park.
Getting there
About 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station by
JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. About 55 minutes from Shin Osaka Station
to Nagoya Station. About 2 hour 10 minutes from Nagoya Station to
Takayama Station by JR Takayama Honsen Limited Express.A
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The base of Mt. Haku-san
The main peak of Mt. Haku-san commands stunning views of the
volcanic landscape
A sea of virgin beech forest with attractive woodland paths
Mt. Haku-san stands on the boundary between Ishikawa and Gifu,
in Haku-san National Park. The main peak of Mt. Haku-san was formed
by volcanic activity and has seven alpine lakes and numerous snowy
valleys along with famous waterfalls such as the Uba-ga-taki Falls,
alpine plants, and beech forests. The mountain commands stunning
views of the extensive volcanic landscape.
Mt. Haku-san, also renowned as a mountain climbed in a form of
Shinto worship, is one of the three most famous peaks in Japan, and
a popular destination for trekking. At its base is a hot springs
village, consisting of five hot springs including Nakamiya and Iwama,
and other springs dotted around the area available for the climbers
of Mt. Haku-san.
An attractive woodland path on Mt. Haku-san connects Ishikawa to
Gifu and has a total length of 33.3 kilometers. Along this path are
the magnificent Fukube-no-otaki Falls or "Large Fukube Falls",
estimated to be 86 meters in height, and the spray from the Falls
often covers the path. The path also takes in a vast virgin beech
forest and lookout platform 1,300 meters above sea level, commanding
a wonderful view of the top of Mt. Haku-san in the distance. All of
these features combine to draw visitors to the area.
Getting there
Approximately 2 Hours 20 Minutes to Maibara Station from Tokyo
Station by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line; 2 Hours to Nishi-Kanazawa
Station from Maibara Station by JR Hokuriku-Honsen Line Limited
Express, and 3 Hours to Nishi-Kanazawa Station from Osaka Station by
JR Hokuriku-Honsen Line Limited Express. 25 Minutes to Tsurugi
Station from Shin-Nishikanazawa Station by Hokuriku-tetsudo Line.
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Tsukechi-kyo Valley
A valley selected as one of the best 100 woods to bask in
Many outdoor activities such as fishing and camping
Tsukechi-kyo Valley, one of the best 100 basking woods in Japan
at the upper stream of Tsukechi-gawa River is located in the
southeastern part of Gifu. It is an area blessed with clean woods
and clear water, and belongs to Ura-Kiso Prefectural Natural Park. A
promenade is set up at the gorge where thaw water from Mt. Ontake
flows, and in the vicinity is a camping site. The must-sees of this
valley known for its clear water are Fudo-daki falls that is 7
meters high, and Takataru-no-taki waterfall. You can visit both via
the promenade. Takataru-no-taki waterfall especially is known as a
waterfall with an emerald basin, and popular for the budding
greenery in spring, camping in summer and changing leaves that glow
against the clear water in autumn. Tsukechi-cho is the gate to
Tsukechi-kyo Valley, historically known as the home of Kiso cypress,
and prospered in the Edo period 300 years ago as a cutover as well
as a post town to Mt. Ontake pilgrimage. You can also fish Japanese
river trout and camp at Kashimo-gawa River in the vicinity.
Getting there
About 1 hour 40 minutes from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station by
JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line, and about 55 minutes from Shin Osaka
Station. About 1 hour and 10 minutes from Nagoya Station to
Nakatsugawa Station by JR Chuo Honsen Line. About 1 hour from
Nakatsugawa Station to Yakuba-mae by Kitaena Kotsu Bus.
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Chubu
Information
provided by Japan National Tourist Organization.
