Located in the centre of Japan, north of Aichi Prefecture and neighboured by Fukui, Ishikawa, Toyama, and Nagano Prefectures, Gifu is the 7th largest prefecture in Japan. Ranked 17th in population, there are plenty of stunning vistas and experiences to have within Gifu Prefecture. Not particularly far from other major cities, it is an area that should most definitely be on your map.
Transportation
With the location of Gifu Prefecture being rather central in Japan’s main island of Honshu, this makes transportation to the area quite viable. You can travel via the Tokaido Shinkansen from major cities such as Tokyo, or you can take more leisurely options such as local trains from neighbouring cities or highway buses. Flying in is also an option, with Chubu Centrair International Airport acting as a jumping off point for entrance into southern Gifu.
The Nagaragawa Tetsudo, credit Gifu Prefecture Tourist Association
Local trains within the prefecture include the Tokaido Line, which winds through the southern portions of the prefecture, the Yoro Tetsudo can take you from the western portion of the prefecture all the way through to Mie Prefecture and the Kii Peninsula, and the Nagaragawa Tetsudo, which takes you through famous Gujo-Hachiman and its famous castle. Don’t forget about the Takayama Line, which can take you further into central Gifu and towards Gero and its famous onsens, in addition to Takayama and its many historic buildings.
Things to do:
Sekigahara
We can start our adventuring through Gifu Prefecture by visiting the Sekigahara area. It is most famous for the battle that took place here on 21 October, 1600 between Tokugawa Ieyasu and Ishida Mitsunari, a pivotal point in Japanese history that ushered in unity between eastern and western Japan until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. There is plenty to do in the area where the battle once was, including visiting the sites of the encampments of the battling factions. Markers around the battlefield and general area also have plenty of information about the more than 400 year old battle.
You can visit the Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum to get in depth information about the conflict, including even immersive representations of the historic day. There is also the nearby Sekigahara Town History and Folklore Museum, a facility that provides information on Sekigahara Town through multiple historical eras.
Gujo Hachiman
Japan is famous for its many castles that dot the landscapes and overlook their respective towns and cities. Gifu Prefecture is home to a few stunning castles, one being Gujo Hachiman Castle. Easily accessible from Gifu City on the Nagaragawa Tetsudo, you can also reach the area by highway bus from neighbouring Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture. The castle was originally built in the 16th century, being partially rebuilt in the 1930s after it was demolished during the Meiji Restoration. The rebuild was conducted using wooden materials, making Gujo Hachiman Castle one of the oldest wooden reconstructions of a castle in Japan. The castle and town are well known for their beautiful autumn foliage, summer festivals, and even unique food replicas.
Tsukechi Gorge
If you are after natural beauty, then Gifu Prefecture is another top spot to see within Japan. In eastern Gifu Prefecture, near the border with Nagano Prefecture lies Tsukechi Gorge. A wonderfully peaceful escape into nature, Tsukechi Gorge has beautiful flowing waterfalls, autumn foliage, and places to camp. You can access Tsukechi Gorge through public transportation by riding the train until Nakatsugawa Station, and then transferring to a bus that will take you up to the gorge and its hiking trail. Make sure to take enough time to fully enjoy all of the nature that it has to offer, from stunning summer to cool autumn!
Onsens
No trip into Japan is complete without a visit to an onsen or two! If you are heading to the Gifu Prefecture area, there are plenty of onsens for you to visit and enjoy the wonderful bathing culture that Japan has. One well known onsen area in Gifu is Gero Onsen. With a variety of different ryokan to stay at, it is a great area to spend time at and relax, either as an overnight guest or just a daytripper. There are multiple public baths as well, so you can enjoy wandering around the town without staying at a specific ryokan. Nearby temples Onsenji and Zenshoji are also both worth a visit, completing a full adventure through Gero Onsen and its surrounding area.
You can also visit Okuhida Onsen, which is known for its open-air onsens. You have the opportunity to relax in onsens beside a river, and take in the slow luxury that is an open-air onsen. Nearby the onsen area is Mt. Norikura, the third tallest mountain in Japan. You can bus to the mountain and explore and climb the various trails to experience some of Japan’s best nature. North of Okuhida Onsen is also the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway, which is a double decker ropeway operating at over 2,000 metres.
What else?
Mino Ware
Gifu Prefecture is also famous for a type of pottery known as Mino ware, or ‘mino-yaki’. Making up a majority of the produced ceramics within Japan, Mino-yaki is primarily made in the Gifu Prefecture cities of Tajimi, Toki, Mizunami, and Kani. With a history of more than 1,000 years, Mino-yaki is a wonderful example of the deep history of ceramics in Japan.
One version of Mino-yaki that you’ll be sure to run into when exploring these towns are green coloured pieces, using special green glazes. You can also take some classes and learn how to make your own pieces of Mino-yaki to take home with you.
Food Samples
Have you ever wandered past a restaurant in Japan and seen all the different food samples in the storefront? While they might look as if the kitchen has cooked the delicious dishes and set them in the windows, many of these incredibly accurate replicas are actually produced in Gifu Prefecture. In the Gujo Hachiman area you can participate in workshops where you have the chance to create your own food samples.
Seki Swords
Gifu Prefecture, namely Seki City, is also historically famous for its swordsmanship. Visit the Seki Swordsmith Museum to learn more about the history in the area, and even have the opportunity to watch some sword craftsmen working as well. Nowadays in Seki you are able to purchase homeware such as knives, scissors, and other pieces crafted locally, a great way to take a souvenir back from Seki. October also brings out the Seki Cutlery Festival, where you can explore a multitude of vendors and see the quality and unique aspects that Seki craftsmanship has to offer.
Gifu Prefecture is conveniently located for travel from many different cities in Japan, making it a great option for those looking to explore parts of Japan that are slightly off the beaten path. From historic onsen villages, mountains, stunning pottery, and history defining battles, Gifu Prefecture is a must see on all trips to Japan!
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