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2025/04/10

• food
• nature

What do you do in Gifu?

The place where Oda Nobunaga set up his base to conquer Japan, Gifu Prefecture, is a place filled with charm. The colorful spectacle created by cormorants fishing on the Nagaragawa River on summer nights is a local specialty worth seeing.

In addition to Gujo Hachiman, which is famous for its Bon Odori dance, it's also enjoyable to walk through the ancient settlements of Hida Takayama, Hida Furukawa, Shirakawa-go, and other places. Experience the natural outdoor baths at Oku-Hida Onsenkyo, which emit steam from the hot springs located on the border with Nagano Prefecture.

Gifu's top attractions

Shirakawa-go

Shirakawa-go and Gokayama regions are located in Shogawa River Valley, which is located in remote mountains across Gifu Toyama Prefectures. In 1995, they were declared a UNESCO world heritage site for their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, which have a history of more than 250 years.

The meaning of gassho-zukuri is 'constructed like hands in prayer', as the steep thatched roofs of farmhouses are a resemblance to the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. Over many generations, the architectural style has been developed to withstand the high amounts of snow that fall in the region during winter. Silkworm cultivation was possible in the large attic space provided by the roofs, which were made without nails.

Gero Onsen

The leading Confucian scholar Hayashi Razan referred to Gero Onsen as one of the three best hot springs in Japan during the Edo Period (1603-1868). The town may now be more urbanized than it was before, but the waters still have the special quality that made them so famous.

Gero is located between Nagoya and Takayama, about an hour south of Takayama. During the Takayama Festival, this is a convenient stopover or an attractive alternative to stay if lodging is hard to find in Takayama.

Magome-juku

Magome Juku is a distinctive post town in Japan because it is situated on steep and challenging terrain. The name Magome is said to come from the fact that travelers had to leave their horses at the inns because the road was too steep for them to climb.

The cobblestone streets are lined with old, lattice-windowed residential houses, museums, tea houses, and souvenir shops on both sides. It's A scene that very much resembles how the post town looked in the Edo period hundreds of years ago.

Gifu's best gourmet food

Hida beef

The difference between Hida beef and other Wagyu lies in its muscle and marbling. Hida beef is widely regarded as the ultimate Wagyu by many, even though all branded A5 varieties have intense marbling.

Hida beef's distinctive juiciness is due to the snowflake pattern of marbling that permeates not just the tender steaks cut from the loin but also other cuts like shoulder (chuck), hindquarter (flank), and rear leg (round).

Hoba Miso

To make Hoba Miso, homegrown Koji miso is combined with mountain vegetables, mushrooms, green onions, and other seasonings, before being plated on a magnolia leaf and grilled. The traditional practice of using Hoba leaves and the hearth to warm food and ensure freshness during cold winters in the Hida region is the origin of Hoba Miso.

The combination of seasonings, ingredients, and the rich miso when heated produces a wonderful aroma.

Gohei mochi

Gohei-Mochi is a skewered, grilled rice-cake famous in the Gifu Prefecture and which is served in a variety of ways, from long, rounded pieces to thinner, flat ovals.

Gohei-Mochi is a dish that can be considered if it is skewered and grilled. Instead of using Mochi-specific rice, Gohei-Mochi is prepared with regular rice that is mashed, placed on a skewer, marinated/seasoned with sauce, and grilled over an open flame.

Have fun taking day trips to Gifu!

Gifu Prefecture is a charming place. It's a local tradition to see the colorful spectacle of cormorants fishing on the Nagaragawa River on summer nights. Besides Gujo Hachiman's Bon Odori dance, it's also fun to explore the ancient settlements of Hida Takayama, Hida Furukawa, Shirakawa-go, and other locales.

When you visit Gifu, we recommend using a our taxi service [Charter Bus & Limousine Japan] . Sightseeing taxis are recommended for both first-time travelers to Gifu and repeat visitors as they allow you to adjust the route based on your individual travel goals and interests. A Full Size Van is capable of accommodating up to 9 people for efficient sightseeing.

Have fun taking trips to Gifu!