Gifu Is Proud of Its Home-Style Cooking and Hokkaido Its Cra Smanship

English Gifu is proud of its home-style cooking and Hokkaido its cra smanship. Home-Style Aomori

Akita Cooking Iwate

Yamagata Miyagi

Kanazawa Tochigi Toyama Gunma Tokai-Hokuriku Expwy Ishikawa Nagano Ibaraki Panoramic Nighttime Meishin Expwy Saitama Fukui Tokyo View from Gifu Castle Yamanashi Tokyo Ayu (Sweetsh) Cuisine Herbal Cuisine Tottori Gifu Chiba Shiga Nagoya Gifu Nagara River is famous for Nagara River cormorant The city of Gifu is known as a treasury of medicinal herbs Kyoto Gifu- Nagoya Shimane Hyogo Kanagawa shing, which has a history going back some 1,300 years. provided by the surrounding natural environment. Herbal Okayama Hashima Aichi Shizuoka Shizuoka Enjoy the exquisite taste of ayu from the crystal clear cuisine prepared using lavish amounts of these herbs can be Hiroshima Osaka river in dishes the city’s restaurants are proud to serve. enjoyed at inns in Nagaragawa Onsen. (Reservation required.) JR Tokaido Main Line Yamaguchi Nara Mie Kagawa Tomei Expwy Tokushima Wakayama Fukuoka Chubu Centrair Tokaido Shinkansen Ehime Kochi Saga Int’l Airport Oita (Centrair) Nagasaki A City of Nagara River Kawaramachi Neighborhood

Kumamoto Cormorant Fishing Kagoshima Miyazaki Attractions Ayu Confections Ayu Seaweed Rolls These signature Gifu confections are shaped like the This avorful food consists of tenderly stewed ayu ayu caught in the Nagara River. A variety of types are wrapped in seaweed. Okinawa available, including Turkish delight wrapped in sponge cake dough, roasted rice cakes, and rice biscuits. Getting to Gifu Cra smanship

Handcra s From Tokyo: Gifu Lanterns Shinkansen (Nozomi) JR Ltd. Exp. 18 min Train Tokyo Nagoya Gifu Gifu is where some of Japan’s best traditional lanterns 1 hr 40 min Meitetsu Ltd. Exp. 29 min are produced. The washi paper is illustrated with beautiful illustrations of owers, birds, and more, and the Highway Bus via Chuo Expwy Bus Tokyo (Shinjuku) Gifu lantern’s soft, elegant light creates wonderful ambience. 6 hr Tomei / Meishin / Chuo / Tokai-Hokuriku Expwys Ichinomiya-Kisogawa IC 25 min Car Tokyo Gifu 6 hr Gifu-Kakamigahara IC 20 min

From Chubu Centrair Int’l Airport: Meitetsu Ltd. Exp. μ-SKY Train Airport Gifu 56 min Chitaodan Rd / Chitahanto Rd / Nagoya Expwy / Higashi-Meihan Expwy / Meishin Expwy Ichinomiya-Kisogawa IC 25 min Car Airport Gifu 75 min Gifu-Kakamigahara IC 20 min Gifu Umbrellas Gifu Shibu-uchiwa Gifu’s traditional Japanese umbrellas are produced by hand These traditional fans are made using Mino washi paper and high-quality From Osaka: by fewer than 20 artisans, taking several months to bamboo, with the entire process carried out by hand. Shibu-uchiwa are Gifu Castle complete using a process with over 100 steps. Their beauty, coated with persimmon tannins, and their color deepens with the Shinkansen (Nozomi) JR Ltd. Exp. 18 min Train Osaka Nagoya Gifu like a ower in bloom, is matched by their elegance. passage of time, producing a particular charm that really stands out. 52 min Meitetsu Ltd. Exp. 29 min National Historical Site

Meishin / Tokai-Hokuriku Expwys Ichinomiya-Kisogawa IC 25 min Car Osaka（Toyonaka） Gifu 2 hr 30 min Gifu-Kakamigahara IC 20 min

From Toyama: JR Takayama Line – Ltd. Exp. 3 hr 30 min Train Toyama Gifu JR Hokuriku / Tokaido Main Line – Ltd. Exp. 3 hr 10 min Special Hokuriku / Tokai-Hokuriku Expwys Car Toyama IC Seki IC Gifu Products 2 hr 40 min 25 min Fuyu Persimmons Gifu is the birthplace of fuyu persimmons. They are notable for their thick esh and rened sweetness, which have earned them the nickname “king of persimmons”. Gifu Convention and Visitors Bureau Tel: +81-58-266-5588 http://www.gifucvb.or.jp/en/ Golden Statue Gifu Convention and Visitors Section of Oda Nobunaga 1-11 Kanda-machi, Gifu-shi Tel: +81-58-265-3984 http://www.city.gifu.lg.jp

Gifu City Tourist Information O ce Edamame Strawberries 2nd oor, JR Gifu Station Tel: +81-58-262-4415 These are edamame with a high sugar content, cultivated Strawberries are grown within the city—particularly in areas fed by the Nagara River water system. They boast the Nohime and Minomusume varieties. some of the nation’s highest production volumes. 2016.10 10,000 A town with a rich history, traditional culture, Cormorant Fishing and natural en vironment A National Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property Gifu Castle e base from which Oda Nobunaga unied Japan The construction of Gifu Castle, which Ukai is a traditional shing method in sits at the summit of Mt. Kinka, was which cormorant masters use cormorants begun in the Kamakura period by to catch sh. Nagara River cormorant Nikaido Yukimasa, and lord Saito shing has an ancient history going back Dosan occupied the castle during the some 1,300 years to its beginning. Bon res Warring States period. Oda Nobunaga glowing brightly in the inky darkness are took possession of the castle in 1567 reected on the river’s surface, and the and renamed it from Inabayama appearance of cormorant masters dressed Castle to Gifu Castle. With this castle as in traditional attire working in unison with his base, Nobunaga proceeded to the cormorants as they go down the river Cormorant Fishing Viewing unify Japan over a period of about ten in pursuit of sh invites viewers to take Boat O ce and Waiting Area years. The castle fell during a preliminary skirmish leading up to the part in a profound experience. Even small The Cormorant Fishing Viewing groups of visitors can enjoy riding on a Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and was Boat Oce and waiting area razed. The present-day castle was cormorant shing viewing boat, and have been renovated to match chartered boats are available for groups of rebuilt in 1956; it contains a history the historical appearance of the Address: 18 Tenshukaku, Kinkazan, Gifu-shi exhibit room inside and an 15 to 50 passengers. Kawaramachi area. The waiting Tel: +81-58-263-4853 Open: Mar. 16–May 11: 9:30–17:30 observation deck on the uppermost area includes a teahouse and is oor. The Gifu Castle site on Mt. Kinka available for anyone to use. May 12–Oct. 16: 8:30–17:30 Oct. 17–Mar. 15: 9:30–16:30 was designated a national historical Cormorant Fishing Viewing Boat Oce *6:30–16:30 on New Year’s Day only site in 2011. Address: 1-2 Minato-machi, Gifu-shi *Sometimes open late for panoramic nighttime viewing Tel: +81-58-262-0104 Cormorant shing season: May 11 to Oct. 15

Nagaragawa Ukai Museum Cormorant Fishing Viewing Boat Dockyard Ukai no Sato Gifu Castle Museum Mt. Kinka Mt. Kinka Ropeway Japan’s rst museum devoted to cormorant This is the dockyard where traditional Six cormorant shing master homes The old armory and food storehouse Located in the heart of the city, 329 m The ropeway takes about four minutes to shing. Learn about Nagara River cormorant wooden boats for viewing the cormorant sit along the right bank of the Nagara was reconstructed in the sumi-yagura in height. Thickly wooded with virgin get from Gifu Park to the summit of Mt. shing through a variety of exhibits and shing are built. There are no blueprints for River. Here, you can nd the cormorant style of castle architecture in 1975. forest and clusters of ferns, this Kinka. Enjoy the view of the Nagara River experience the attraction of cormorant these boats; instead, they are built through masters dressed in straw coats and Located just west of the main donjon, mountain is home to over 60 species and the city center below as well as the shing even during the o-season. the expert skills of craftsmen who make just special shing caps as well as the it houses historical exhibits from the of birds, including Japanese tits, seasonally changing scenery of Mt. Kinka. two a year. cormorants themselves and, in the Warring States period through the varied tits, and Japanese white-eyes. Address: 51-2 Nagara, Gifu-shi garden, orderly stacks of rewood for Edo period. Address: 257 Senjojikishita, Gifu-shi Tel: +81-58-210-1555 the bon res. Tel: +81-58-262-6784 Hours: May 1–Oct. 15: 9:00–19:00 Open: Mar. 16–May 11: 9:00–18:00 Oct. 16–Dec. 28: 9:00–17:00 May 12–Oct. 16: 8:00–18:00 Jan. 4–Apr. 30: 9:00–17:00 Oct. 17–Mar. 15: 9:00–17:00 *Final admittance is 30 minutes before closing time. *5:00–17:00 on New Year’s Day only Closed: Tuesdays Oct. 16–Apr. 30 (the following *Sometimes open late for panoramic nighttime viewing weekday if Tuesday is a public holiday) and New Year’s (Dec. 29–Jan. 3) Utan Shiroppii

Nagara River Promenade This footpath lets you leisurely stroll along the Nagara River for a distance of 1.3 km upstream from the approach to Nagara-bashi Bridge on the northern side. Visitors can see cormorant ﬁshing take place nearby at night. Nagaragawa Onsen Nagaragawa Onsen is an onsen district located near the Nagara River and Mt. Nagara River Kinka, upon which Gifu Castle sits. The For a Limited Time: Panoramic Nighttime Viewing from Gifu Castle water here has been chosen as one of One of the symbols of Gifu City, along with Mt. Kinka Japan’s top 100 hot springs. Enjoy a magni cent panoramic view of the sparkling city lights, and Gifu Castle. Selected as one of Japan’ s top 100 Hot spring type: Simple cool mineral spring which stretch all the way to distant Nagoya, from Gifu Castle at the bodies of water, it is home to numerous sh, including containing iron summit of Mt. Kinka, at an altitude of 329 m. ayu and precious satsukimasu salmon. Eective for: Neuralgia, joint pain, recuperation from fatigue, and more 13 1 Sofuku-ji Temple 14 Gifu Park Information Center Japan-China Friendship Garden An old, historic temple that has Located at the entrance to Gifu Park, This garden was built to commemorate (Site No. 1) produced numerous eminent priests, this building was modeled after a the tenth anniversary of the friendship Japan Heritage including Kaisen Joki. It is the family samurai residence of the Warring city partnership between Gifu and temple of the Oda clan, and the States period. It offers a break room, a Hangzhou, China formed in 1989. The Experience the hospitality of Lord Nobunaga in the Warring States castle town of Gifu mausoleum of Oda Nobunaga and cafeteria, and a bicycle rental station. garden includes a pond modeled after his son Nobutada can be found here. West Lake, a famous spot in Hangzhou. 1 N Sofuku-ji 12 Kawaramachi Area Temple Eizo & Toichi Kato Memorial Art Museum Kawaramachi is the name of the historical district that extends westward from the south end of Nagara-bashi This museum stores and displays Bridge, and traces of the era in which it prospered as H numerous works of art by the brothers a river port can still be seen. The name “Kawaramachi” Eizo and Toichi Kato, two famous refers collectively to the neighborhoods of Minato- Nagaragawa Ukai Museum Japanese-style painters from Gifu. Visitors machi, Tamai-cho, and Motohama-cho. This historical Gifu Memorial Center Ukai no Sato can view famous paintings that depict Nagaragawa Convention historical rustic Gifu. district features numerous Japanese-style houses with H H lattice doors, as well as shops that make Gifu uchiwa Center Nagaragawa Park H fans, longstanding confectioner shops, art galleries, Tejikara Summer Fire Festival restaurants, and more. (second Sunday of August) Nagara River Promenade (path for cyclists and pedestrians) 11 Three-storied Pagoda Nagaragawa Disaster and Health Station This pagoda was built in 1916 as a commemorative project to celebrate the enthronement of the Taisho emperor. It Nagara River Nagara-bashiBridge is striking for its bright vermillion paint. 2 Gifu Great Buddha Cormorant fishing It was designated a national registered viewing boat dock tangible cultural property in 2005. (Shoho-ji Temple) H Cormorant fishing Cormorant fishing Ukai *The pagoda will be undergoing This giant Buddha statue, 13.63 m in viewing boat waiting area viewing boat dockyard cherry tree H restoration work until March 2017. height, was created to protect the Water Experience public from misfortune. It is Japan’s 13 Learning Museum Fireworks on Nagara River launch area largest dry lacquer Buddha statue and Kawaramachi (last Saturday of July / first Saturday of August) Gifu Gokoku Shrine one of Japan’s Three Great Buddhas. 10 Site of Lord Oda Robotic Nobunaga’s Residence Water Gate Kinkazan Tunnel Meiso no Komichi This is the spot where Lord Oda 14 (Suifudo) Nobunaga’s residence was located. 3 Gifu Park At the entrance is an enormous Jozai-ji Temple roofed gate. Paving stones, some This temple was built by the poet Saito 12 11 building remains, cornerstones, and Myochin under the Toki governorship. It Eizo & Toichi Kato Mt. Kinka more can be found at the site, and an famously served as the headquarters of Lord H Memorial Art Museum Three-storied excavation is currently underway. Saito Dosan when he ruled Mino province, pagoda Nagaragawa Flavor Sanroku and it served as the family temple for Dosan Station and the two generations that followed him. Ryurei Tearoom Mt. Kinka RopewayGifu Castle 10 Site of Lord 7 9 Oda Nobunaga’s 8 Nawa Insect residence 4 Myosho-ji Temple Shoho-ji Temple 2 Museum Gifu Castle (Gifu Great Buddha) Museum Built on the site of the residence of the Sancho Station samurai Takenaka Hanbei, Myosho-ji 3 Temple is famous as a place where the Jozai-ji Temple Hyakumagari Mountain Trail Squirrel Village poet Matsuo Basho stayed. Visitors can see numerous famous haikus and the 4 room in which Basho stayed. 5 Nanamagari Mountain Trail Gifu Park Osushi Highway Myosho-ji Temple (Otedo) Located at the base of Mt. Kinka, this 9 park is popular as a rest stop for residents Weeping cherry Ryurei Tearoom and tourists. A variety of attractions Visitors to the park can visit this can be found here, including the site break room for matcha green of Lord Oda Nobunaga’s residence, the tea and Japanese confections Japanese-style Nobunaga Gardens, the Gifu City Museum of History, the Eizo & Zenko-ji Temple, Gifu in a relaxing environment. The entrance hall features a water Toichi Kato Memorial Art Museum, and harp that has a soothing effect on the Nawa Insect Museum. The entrance 6 visitors. to the hiking trail that leads to the summit of Mt. Kinka and the ropeway Inaba Shrine boarding station can also be found here. 5 Osushi Highway This road was named for the fact that 6 Inaba Shrine 7 Gifu City Museum of History 8 Nawa Insect Museum it was used for delivering ayu sushi to This shrine, beloved as the tutelary Visitors can learn about the culture and the Tokugawa Shogun family during Recommended walking routes This museum was opened by Yasushi shrine of Gifu, is over 1,900 years old. history of Gifu City, from its founding Nawa, discoverer of the Japanese the Edo period. Old-fashioned houses It is thought to have been moved to Kawaramachi route to the modern era, through a variety can be found along the road as well luehdorfia butterfly. It is Japan’s its current location from Mt. Inaba Park area route of activities. The exhibit focused on as cafés and Japanese confectioners. oldest insect museum, with over (Mt. Kinka) by Lord Saito Dosan. Old highway route Lord Oda Nobunaga and the special 300,000 specimens of some 12,000 exhibits are essential viewing. species, and visitors can learn about the mysterious world of insects. ❷Plum Blossoms at Bairin Park (mid-Feb. to late Mar.) ❶ Ganjo-ji Temple — Princess Chujo’s Vow ❾ Enkianthus perulatus at Dairyu-ji Temple Gifu Nobunaga Festival Gifu Bairin Plum Festival (early Mar.) Cherry Tree (early to mid-Apr.) (Spring/Fall) (1st Sat. of Oct. and the following day) This park is home to over 1,300 trees of some 50 This cherry tree is said to have been planted by Princess Chujo during This temple is famous for having some 1,200 Enkianthus perulatus This festival, held to honor the achievements varieties. The Gifu Bairin Plum Festival, which is the Nara period. It is a tree of the yamazakura variety, distinctive shrubs planted in the garden and on the hill within the temple’s of Lord Oda Nobunaga, involves a variety of held during the optimal viewing season, offers for its large number of petals — 20 to 30 per blossom. It has been precincts. They have white flowers in spring and bright red leaves in events at different locations around the city, a variety of events, including a photography designated a national natural monument. fall for visitors to enjoy. including the Nobunaga Horseback Warriors event and a tea ceremony. Parade and the Musical Band Parade.

❸ Cherry Blossom Trees along the Nagara River Chrysanthemum Doll and Flower Exhibition (late Mar. to early Apr.) (late Oct. to late Nov.) Many hanami (spring blossom) viewers come Some 3,000 chrysanthemum plants and in spring to see the yoshino cherry blossoms in showy chrysanthemum dolls are assembled full bloom at Obusazutsumi on the right-hand for this exhibit. The flowers, cultivated with bank of the Nagara River and on the left-hand great effort by chrysanthemum enthusiasts, bank between Nagara-bashi Bridge and the Spring Fall include minogiku, yamagiku, oogiku, and other Japan-China Friendship Park. 春秋 varieties that originated in Gifu.

❹Gifu Festival (Festival Eve) (1st Sat. of Apr.) Fall Leaves at Matsuo Pond Dosan Festival (1st Sat. of Apr. and the following day) (late Nov. to early Dec.) Gifu Festival is an annual festival that involves This water reservoir was maintained for Inaba Shrine and other shrines within the irrigation purposes in the Meiji period. When city. Dosan Festival is held to honor the the mountains are draped in the colors of achievements of Lord Saito Dosan. Viewers are autumn, the beautiful fall leaves can be seen treated to the sight of impressive floats and reflected in the pond’s surface. portable shrines.

❺ Tejikara Fire Festival (2nd Sat. of Apr.) This stirring festival of fire and sound has been Gyokusho-in Setsubun Tsurikomi Festival (Feb. 3) held annually at Tejikarao Shrine for over 300 years. Vigorously dancing naked men carry Yaku-otoko (men of certain unlucky ages) dress up portable shrines mounted with fireworks. as red ogres and ride on portable shrines, while yaku-onna (women of certain unlucky ages) dress up as ofuku (model women) and ride in carriages. After parading through the streets, they are carried to the temple’s main hall where they undergo purification rites and pray for good health.

❼Tejikara Summer Fire Festival (2nd Sun. of Aug.) Koyomi no Yobune (Winter Solstice) The Fire Festival held at Tejikarao Shrine in April This is an art performance overseen by is given a repeat performance by the shore of Katsuhiko Hibino. Enormous numbers made the Nagara River. Its “earth-shattering fireworks” from washi paper and bamboo and zodiacal that explode on the ground can be seen only at lanterns are placed on covered boats and the summer event. float down the Nagara River on the evening of the winter solstice.

❽Nagara River Takigi Noh (late Aug.) 夏Summer Winter冬 Luxury Pleasure Boats (During Cormorant Fishing Off-Season) Noh and Kyogen performances take place on a Visitors can enjoy banquets aboard elegant stage erected by the shore of the Nagara River ❻Fireworks on Nagara River Ikenoue Purification Ceremony Festival pleasure boats that float along the Nagara with pitch-black Mt. Kinka in the background. (last Sat. of July, 1st Sat. of Aug.) (2nd Sat. of Dec.) River against the backdrop of Mt. Kinka. Enjoy The performances are given a fairytale quality sukiyaki and nabe dishes made from native as fire from the cormorant fishing boat bonfires The Nagara River fireworks displays are some of the biggest in Japan. During this festival, which takes place in the middle of winter, naked Okumino chickens from the warmth of the is used to kindle the firewood. Fireworks specialists from all over the country assemble to launch men wearing headbands and loincloths cleanse themselves in the boat cabin. some 30,000 large fireworks, filling the night sky above Gifu with color. Nagara River and pray for success.

Shincho-ji Temple 79 Jo’on-ji Temple 176176 Yamagata Events in Gifu City for experiencing nature and culture throughout the four seasons 79 ❾ Dairyu-ji Temple Chikusan (Enkianthus perulatus) Mid-Jan. May 11 Late Aug. Center Park Seki Mitahora Kobo 94 (Hokke-ji) Temple Dairyu-ji Daruma Memorial Service (Dairyu-ji Temple) Start of Nagara River Cormorant Fishing (Nagara Riverside) Nagara River Takigi Noh (Nagara Riverside) Gifu University Hospital Ensan-ji Temple 248 256 Nagaragawa Feb. 3 Golden Week, July–Oct. 1st Sat. of Oct. and the following day Gifu University Fureai no Mori Luxury Pleasure Boats Koyomi no Fall Leaves Tejikara Summer Yobune at Matsuo Pond Gyokusho-in Setsubun Tsurikomi Festival (Gyokusho-in Temple) Panoramic Nighttime Viewing from Gifu Castle (Gifu Castle) Gifu Nobunaga Festival (City Center) Fire Festival Nagara Park 156 ❶ Gifu Park Cormorant fishing Nagara River Ganjo-ji Temple (Chrysanthemum Doll and Flower Exhibition) viewing boat dock (Princess Chujo’s Vow Cherry Tree) ❽ Nagara River Takigi Noh Early Mar. Last Sat. of July Late Oct. to late Nov. Fireworks on the ❼ 77 ❸Cherry blossom trees along the Nagara River 157 Nagara River❻ Mt. Kinka Gifu Bairin Plum Festival (Bairin Park) Chunichi Newspaper Nagara River All-Japan Fireworks Festival (Nagara Riverside) Chrysanthemum Doll and Flower Exhibition (Gifu Park) Gifu Castle 156 Katsuragake Shrine ❹Inaba Shrine (Ikenoue Puri cation Ceremony Festival) (Gifu Festival / Festival Eve) Tokai-Hokuriku Expwy Gifu City Hall◎ ❹ Dosan Festival 1st Sat. of Apr. and the following day 1st Sat. of Aug. Nov. Cormorant fishing off-season Gifu Nobunaga Festival ❷ 248 Kagashima Kobo JR Gifu Kakamigahara (Osshin-ji) Temple Station Bairin Park (Nagara Riverside) (Gifu Bairin Plum Festival) Gifu Festival / Dosan Festival (City Center) Nagara River National Display Luxury Pleasure Boat Tours Gyokusho-in Temple

Line Main Nagoya Meitetsu (Setsubun Tsurikomi Festival) JR Takayama Main Line JR Tokaido Main Line 2nd Sat. of Apr. 2nd Sun. of Aug. 2nd Sat. of Dec. The Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu Meitetsu Kakamigahara Line Gifu Prefectural Library 157 Ginan ❺ ◎ Tejikarao Shrine 21 (Tejikara Fire Festival) Tejikara Fire Festival (Tejikarao Shrine) Tejikara Summer Fire Festival (Nagaragawa Park) Ikenoue Purification Ceremony Festival (Katsuragake Shrine) Gifu Prefectural Office Gifu-Kakamigahara IC English Gifu is proud of its home-style cooking and Hokkaido its cra smanship. Home-Style Aomori

Akita Cooking Iwate

Yamagata Miyagi

Hokuriku Shinkansen

Niigata Fukushima

Meishin / Tokai-Hokuriku Expwys Ichinomiya-Kisogawa IC 25 min Car Osaka（Toyonaka） Gifu 2 hr 30 min Gifu-Kakamigahara IC 20 min