Gifu / 岐阜(Gifu)

About Gifu

Although Gifu City is the capital of Gifu Prefecture, it is a city rich in nature, with the pristine Nagara River flowing through its center and the lush Mt. Kinka towering above it.
Gifu City is also known for its deep tradition, including the Nagara River cormorant fishing, which boasts a 1,300-year history, and Gifu Castle, which is associated with Oda Nobunaga.
Gifu is conveniently located only 30 km away from Nagoya by train, and just over an hour from Chubu International Airport, making it one of the major cities in the Chubu region.

Gifu City is located in the southern part of Gifu Prefecture, with mountains in the north and an urban area in the south, and the Nagara River, one of the three most pristine rivers in Japan, flowing through the city. In the city, there are spots where visitors can stroll through old streets and enjoy visiting restaurants, traditional craft stores, and souvenir shops.


Getting there and around

Access to Gifu

From Chubu Centrair International Airport take Meitetsu Myusukai to Meitetsu Gifu Station (approx. 60 min.)
From Tokyo or Shin-Osaka, take the Shinkansen bullet train to Nagoya Station, then take the JR or Meitetsu train from Nagoya Station to Gifu Station (approx. 30 min.)

Transportation within Gifu City

Gifu City can be efficiently explored by local buses, and one-day tickets are available for purchase on board the buses.

Top Attractions

"Mt. Kinka" is the symbol of Gifu City. This 329-meter mountain is famous for its beautiful night view, and is a popular sightseeing spot for visitors not only from within Gifu Prefecture but also from outside the prefecture. Visitors can experience the grandeur of nature from below and the beauty of nature from above, and the mountain is home to many wild animals and birds. There is a ropeway that can whisk you to the summit of Mt. Kinka in comfort, but there are also 10 well-maintained mountain trails, all of which take between 30 minutes to an hour to reach the end of, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Gifu Castle/岐阜城(Gifu)

Gifu Castle/岐阜城(Gifu)
  • Gifu
  • Gifu
  • Castles
  • Historical Sites
  • Cherry Blossoms
Gifu Castle, formerly known as Inabayama Castle, was Saito Dosan during the Warring States Period. Perched atop a rocky hill, this castle was reputed as being impregnable, and it was said that "whoeve...

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Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River/ぎふ長良川の鵜飼(Gifu)

Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River/ぎふ長良川の鵜飼(Gifu)
  • Gifu
  • Gifu
  • Onsen
  • Cultural Experience
  • Historical Sites
Cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing method practiced mainly in China and Japan, characterized by the use of birds called cormorants to catch sweetfish, etc. Four species of cormorants live in J...

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Special Tours

Nagoya Travel Guide