The Broader Region Surrounding Gifu To Hida Takayama Departing from Gifu City To Central Gifu City JR Gifu Station → Takayama Station [JR Takayama Main Line Limited Express Wide View Hida・2 hr・¥4,940] Departing from Nagoya ~ Or ~ JR Nagoya Station → JR Gifu Station Meitetsu Gifu Station Bus Terminal → Takayama Nohi Bus Center [JR Tokaido Main Line Rapid・18 min・¥470] [Nohi Bus/Gifu Bus on the Takayama-Gifu Line・2 hr・¥2,570] Departing from Central Japan International Airport Central Japan International Airport → Departing from Nagoya → [Passing through Meitetsu Nagoya Station] → Meitetsu Gifu Station JR Nagoya Station Takayama Station ・ ・ [Meitetsu Limited Express・1 hr 20 min・¥1,340] [JR Limited Express Wide View Hida 2 hr 30 min ¥6,030] [Meitetsu Airport Rapid Ltd. Exp. μ-SKY (read “mu-sky”)・1 hr・¥1,700] ~ Or ~ Meitetsu Bus Center → Takayama Nohi Bus Center Departing from Tokyo [Nohi Bus/Meitetsu Bus/JR Tokai Bus on the Takayama-Nagoya Line・2 hr 30 min・¥2,980] Tokyo Station → JR Nagoya Station → JR Gifu Station [JR Tokaido Shinkansen・1 hr 40 min] → Departing from Tokyo [JR Tokaido Main Line・18 min・¥11,310 in total] TateyamaTateyama Kurobe Kurobe Tokyo Station → JR Nagoya Station → Takayama Station AlpineAlpine Route Route ~ Or ~ IshikawaIshikawa [JR Tokaido Shinkansen・1 hr 40 min] → [JR Limited Express Wide View Hida・2 hr 20 min・¥14,920 in total] Tokyo Station (Nihonbashi Exit) → Tokyo Station → JR Toyama Station → Takayama Station JR Gifu Station (North Exit) [JR Hokuriku Shinkansen・2 hr 8 min] → [JR Limited Express Wide View Hida・1 hr 30 min・¥15,830 in total] [JR Tokai Bus “Dream Nagoya”・8 hr・¥6,580] ~ Or ~ Departing from Osaka WakuraWakura Hot Spring Hot Spring Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal → Takayama Nohi Bus Center Kenroku-enKenroku-en Shin-Osaka Station → JR Nagoya Station [Nohi Bus/Keio Bus on the Takayama-Tokyo(Shinjuku) Line・5 hr 30 min・¥6,690] → JR Gifu Station [JR Tokaido Shinkansen・50 min] → Departing from Osaka [JR Tokaido Main Line・18 min・¥7,210 in total] Shin-Osaka Station → JR Nagoya Station → Takayama Station [JR Tokaido Shinkansen・50 min] → [JR Limited Express Wide View Hida・2 hr 20 min・¥10,810 in total] ToyamaToyama ~ Or ~ Osaka Namba Station West Exit → Takayama Nohi Bus To Shirakawa-go ToyamaToyama NaganoNagano Center ToyamaToyama [Nohi Bus/Kintetsu Bus on the Takayama-Kyoto/Osaka Line・ KanazawaKanazawa AirportAirport Departing from Nagoya 5 hr 32 min・¥3,300] Meitetsu Bus Center → KomatsuKomatsu Shirakawa-go AirportAirport OkuhidaOkuhida Note: All times and prices indicated are variable, are dependent on a [Gifu Bus on the Shirakawa-go Ex- Hot SpringHot Spring Villages Villages variety of factors (such as the time of year), and are subject to change. press Line・3 hr・¥3,900] WorldWorld Heritage Heritage Site SiteHida Hida Furukawa Furukawa NaganoNagano Customers cannot be accommo- Shirakawa-goShirakawa-go AsakusaAsakusa dated when seats are full, so prior KamikochiKamikochi MatsumotoMatsumotoMatsumotoMatsumoto Castle Castle reservations are highly recom- FukuiFukui Hida-KiyomiHida-Kiyomi IC IC mended. Two buses per day. ( 058-240-0489) TakayamaTakayama FukuiFukui GifuGifu GujoGujo HachimanHachiman GeroGero TokyoTokyo NakatsugawaNakatsugawa KofuKofu TokyoTokyo MinoMino ChibaChibaNaritaNarita InternationalInternational Mino-SekiMino-Seki JCT JCT Magome-Magome- juku juku YamanashiYamanashi TokyoTokyo AirportAirport GifuGifuMino-OtaMino-Ota Mt. FujiMt. Fuji DisneyDisney Resort Resort Lake BiwaLake Biwa OgakiOgaki Lake KawaguchiLake Kawaguchi HanedaHaneda Ena Ena AirportAirport MaibaraMaibara Toki JCTToki JCT Kinkaku-jiKinkaku-ji ChibaChiba Gifu-Gifu- TajimiTajimi HashimaHashima GotenbaGotenba KyotoKyoto IchinomiyaIchinomiya JCT JCT JCT JCT NagoyaNagoya ShizuokaShizuoka OtsuOtsu AichiAichi ShinfujiShinfuji ShigaShiga YokkaichiYokkaichi ToyotaToyota JCT JCT KyotoKyoto JCT JCT ShizuokaShizuoka KameyamaKameyama …Train JCT JCT MikkabiMikkabi JCT JCT CentralCentral Japan Japan Mt. FujiMt. Fuji …Airplane Tsu TsuInternationalInternational Airport Airport ShizuokaShizuoka Airport Airport UniversalUniversal OsakaOsaka MieMie (Centrair)(Centrair) …Bus StudiosStudios Japan Japan HamamatsuHamamatsu …Shinkansen OsakaOsaka TakiTaki (“Bullet Train”) KansaiKansai TobaToba Contact Information InternationalInternational Ise Ise AirportAirport NaraNara Ise GrandIse GrandShrine Shrine Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central) Ise-ShimaIse-Shima http://english.jr-central.co.jp Nagoya Railroad (Meitetsu) http://www.meitetsu.co.jp/eng/ Nohi Bus https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/

2 3 長野／Nagano

The Broader Region Surrounding Gifu Matsumoto Castle One of but five castles in Japan to be 石川／Ishikawa considered a National Treasure, this castle 富山／Toyama is known for its black exterior. Completed in the late 16th century, it remains largely Kenroku-en Garden unchanged from its original state. Thought to be one of the finest gardens Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in Japan, Kenroku-en is a spacious area This route takes those who pass through Kamikochi complete with ponds and tea gardens it on a journey through the Northern This highland valley deep in the mountains that is rife with seasonal beauty. Japanese Alps, which includes mountains of the Northern Japanese Alps is often laud- over 3,000 meters tall. Marvel at the many ed as one of the greatest treasure troves Omi-cho Market wonders of Mother Nature that can be of natural beauty in all of Japan, and plays Almost 300 years old, this market- seen here, including great valleys of snow. host to great plant and animal biodiversity. place is the perfect place for pur- chasing fresh fish or any of Ishikawa Gokayama Prefecture’s many unique products. This UNESCO World Heritage Site 静岡／Shizuoka is home to many gassho-zukuri - style thatched roof houses that Mt. Fuji 福井／Fukui can only be seen in certain areas Often seen as a subject in paintings that experience heavy snowfall. or spoken of in poetry and song, this Tojinbo mountain is the tallest in Japan and Stretching for over one kilometer, these pre- is the very symbol of the nation itself. cipitous cliffs were formed by volcanic activity IshikawaIshikawa millions of years ago, and are thought to be WakuraWakura Hot Spring Hot Spring Lake Hamana one of Japan’s most beautiful natural wonders. This large natural lake is the ideal loca- tion for enjoying water sports or collect- Awara Hot Spring ing shells at low tide, and its intricate As Fukui’s foremost hot springs district, it coastline makes for gorgeous scenery. boasts many scenic areas that are unique to hot springs towns. Explore this location as you ToyamaToyama enjoy the feel of stone pavement beneath your 愛知／Aichi feet and the fragrance of steaming hot spring NaganoNagano water in the air. ToyamaToyamaToyamaToyama KanazawaKanazawaAirportAirport Nagoya Castle Originally constructed in 1612 and then KomatsuKomatsu largely destroyed in the fires of the Second AirportAirport OkuhidaOkuhida World War, the remnants of the original were Hot SpringHot Spring Villages Villages carefully integrated into its reconstruction. WorldWorld Heritage Heritage Site Site Shirakawa-goShirakawa-go Hida Hida Furukawa Furukawa NaganoNagano KamikochiKamikochi Shopping in Sakae MatsumotoMatsumoto The single most prosperous area in Nagoya, FukuiFukui Hida-KiyomiHida-Kiyomi IC IC Sakae is home to many famous department TakayamaTakayama stores, entertainment spots, and restau- rants. With a vibrant night life and a varied FukuiFukui assortment of shops, Sakae is a must for GujoGujo GifuGifu anyone looking for a taste of city life. HachimanHachimanGeroGero NakatsugawaNakatsugawa KofuKofu TokyoTokyo MinoMino TokyoTokyo ChibaChibaNaritaNarita Mino-SekiMino-Seki JCT JCT Magome-Magome- InternationalInternational juku juku YamanashiYamanashi Tokyo Tokyo AirportAirport GifuGifuMino-OtaMino-Ota DisneyDisney Resort Resort Lake BiwaLake Biwa OgakiOgaki Lake KawaguchiLake Kawaguchi HanedaHaneda Ena Ena AirportAirport MaibaraMaibara Toki JCTToki JCT Mt.FujiMt.Fuji ChibaChiba Gifu-Gifu- TajimiTajimi HashimaHashima GotenbaGotenba KyotoKyoto ShigaShiga JCT JCT IchinomiyaIchinomiya JCT JCT NagoyaNagoya OtsuOtsu AichiAichi ShizuokaShizuoka ShinfujiShinfuji YokkaichiYokkaichi ToyotaToyota JCT JCT KyotoKyoto JCT JCT CentralCentral Japan Japan ShizuokaShizuoka KameyamaKameyama InternationalInternationalMikkabiMikkabi JCT JCT Mt. FujiMt. Fuji JCT JCT AirportAirport ShizuokaShizuoka Airport Airport (Centrair)(Centrair) Tsu Tsu HamamatsuHamamatsu UniversalUniversal StudiosStudios Japan JapanOsakaOsaka MieMie TakiTakiIse Ise 滋賀／ShigaOsakaOsaka TobaToba 三重／Mie KansaiKansai InternationalInternational NaraNara AirportAirportLake Biwa Nagahama Ise Grand Shrine Kumano Kodo With a surface area of over 670 Ise-ShimaIse-Shima Most well known for its “Kurokabe Hidden away deep in the forest, This series of pilgrimage routes kilometers squared, Lake Biwa Square,” a distinctly atmospheric this Shinto shrine dedicated to that cover Japan’s Kii Peninsu- is the largest lake in Japan. The historic district that houses a Amaterasu-omikami, goddess la connects many of the sacred nature surrounding it thrives, and wide variety of glass galleries and of the sun and patron deity of sites in this area, and were its many stunning vistas make it workshops, and restaurants that the Japanese imperial family, together designated a World Biwako Visitors Bureau quite the picturesque location. Biwako Visitors Bureau serve local cuisine. has existed for millennia. Heritage Site by UNESCO.

4 5 SHIRAKAWA-GO The Different Regions Within Gifu 白川郷 ▶P36 Located precisely in the center of the country, Gifu Prefecture has long been an important crossroads HIDA of east and west Japan. The culture of Gifu has therefore been heavily influenced by both, resulting in a 飛騨 ▶P32 great diversity of traditions nurtured here. Gifu is also a land of varied terrain, from the majestic moun- tains of Hida to the north - which stretch to heights of up to 3,000 meters above sea level - to the fertile, expansive plains and riverlands of Mino to the south - which are located right at sea level. Gifu Prefec- ture is broadly divided into these two regions, which used to exist independently - as Hida Province and Mino Province - before Japan’s adoption of the prefectural system. The Mino region - a term often used A UNESCO World Heritage Site deep in to refer to the entire southern half of Gifu Prefecture, corresponding to the territory of Mino Province - is the mountains that boasts an idyllic village today further divided into four sub-regions: the western region of Seino, the eastern region of Tono, the of gassho-zukuri thatched roof houses. central region of Chuno, and the Gifu region that encompasses the capital of Gifu City. Take particular A city with distinctly Japanese town- care not to confuse the Hida region and the Mino region with Hida City and Mino City! Towards Toyama scapes, particularly in the white-walled storehouse district of Furukawa. GUJO MINOKAMO OKUHIDA HOT SPRING ▶P58 ▶P72 郡上 美濃加茂 World WorldHeritage Heritage Site Site 奥飛騨温泉郷 Shirakawa-goShirakawa-go VILLAGES ShinhotakaShinhotaka Ropeway Ropeway

Hida-FurukawaHida-Furukawa ▶P28 The site of one of Japan’s most A place where Edo period Five onsen districts nestled in nature famous summer dance festivals, townscapes remain preserved. that, together, boast the most open-air the Gujo Odori. hot spring baths of any region in Japan. TakayamaTakayamaJR Takayama Main Line JR Takayama Main Line Ski ResortSki Resort Areas Areas SEKI MINO in Gujo in Gujo TAKAYAMA 関 ▶P68 美濃 ▶P64 高山 ▶P20 HIDA REGION

Nagaragawa Nagaragawa Railway Railway OsakaOsaka Falls Falls The blade capital of Japan and Home of Mino Washi , one of Internationally famous for its pictur- its historical center of sword the most celebrated types of esque old quarter and home to one production. traditional Japanese paper. of Japan’s most beautiful festivals. Gujo Odori Gujo Odori DanceDance Festival Festival GIFU GERO 岐阜 ▶P52 Gero Gero 下呂 ▶P44 Gujo- Gujo- Gero HotGero Spring Hot Spring HachimanHachiman GIFU REGION Towards Tarumi Tarumi Mino-shiMino-shi Nagano Home to the spectacle of cormorant An onsen paradise which has fishing, a tradition that has continued Tarumi Railway Tarumi Railway CHUNO historically been counted among on the Nagara River for 1,300 years. Seki Seki REGION Japan’s Three Great Hot Springs. Ibi Ibi OGAKI・SEKIGAHARA Yoro Railway Yoro Railway ChiuneChiune Sugihara Sugihara NAKATSUGAWA MemorialMemorial Hall Hall NakatsugawaNakatsugawa ▶P78 大垣 関ヶ原 MagomeMagome- - 中津川 CormorantCormorant Fishing Fishing Mino-OtaMino-Ota Ena ValleyEna Valley juku juku on the Nagaraon the RiverNagara River Ena Ena Towards Kyoto Mitake Mitake SekigaharaSekigaharaOgaki OgakiGifuGifu JR Taita LineJR Taita Line JR Tokaido Main Line MeitetsuJR Tokaido Main Line Meitetsu TONO ▶P90 Yoro Yoro MizunamiMizunamiAkechi Akechi Meitetsu Meitetsu Railway Railway REGION The “water capital” of the region Yoro Yoro Gifu- Gifu- Tokishi Tokishi Famous for the old post town of and the site of Japan’s most Tajimi Tajimi Magome and its superb wagashi WaterfallWaterfall HashimaHashimaTokaido ShinkansenTokaido Shinkansen Akechi Akechi famous battle. Japanese sweets.

Yoro Railway Yoro Railway

YORO JR Chuo MainJR Chuo Line Main Line TAJIMI・TOKI・MIZUNAMI ENA 養 老 SEINO 多治見 土岐 瑞浪 恵那 ▶P82 REGION NagoyaNagoya

Towards Tokyo ▶P86 ▶P76 A place of rejuvenating natural The production centers and home Home of Ena Valley, a site of beauty and stunning postmod- of Mino Yaki , the dominant type of great natural beauty through all ern art. pottery in Japan. four seasons. 6 7 Sample Itineraries for Gifu’s Four Seasons

The Eco-Institute offers Day 2 Day 3・4 a wide variety of nature- WINTER [Dec ~ Feb] Matsumoto Day centered programs for 3 guests to enjoy, so be Day1 sure to take advantage of these and have a Enjoy an outdoor stroll through the winter Day nature activity at wonderland surround- 1 the TOYOTA ing the facility. Tajimi Shirakawa-go ▶ JR Nagoya Station Nagoya Eco-Institute P40 Limited Express Wide View This grand waterfall Winter in Japan is the ab- ▶P44 “Shirakawa-go” bus stop Hida (1 hr 40 min) solute best time to enjoy transforms into a pillar of hot springs! Have a soak in Nohi Bus (50 min) ice because of the cold. Gero Station Gero’s mineral-rich spring Takayama Nohi Bus Center Mid-February marks the beginning of the Ice Fes- water that will refresh your Nohi Bus (1 hr) body and mind. Outdoor hot tival, during which the waterfall is illuminated to Stroll the streets spring baths are especially Hirayu Bus Terminal ▶ of Gero’s hot relaxing in the winter, with stunning effect. P30 the water acting almost as a spring district shield against the crisp air! There are many hot spring baths in See the beauty of the area that you can just drop by the Hirayu Great and bathe in, regardless of the ho- Gero Station tel at which you are staying. Going Waterfall frozen around and trying out a bunch of Limited Express Wide View and illuminated! these onsen baths is one fantastic Hida (45 min) way to enjoy the region!

Takayama Station Dip some scrumptious Hida beef in hot water Stay in the a few times and enjoy it Okuhida Hot shabu-shabu style, a very ▶P27 common way of eating Stay in Spring Villages beef in the region! After the

Takayama ▶P31 meat’s color changes, dip it in a sauce of your choos- ing and eat it right up!

▶P20 Enjoy a Japanese-style breakfast with Day some hoba miso, a local specialty dish Day 2 in which miso paste and assorted veg- 4 etables are grilled over a magnolia leaf.

Takayama is rich in sake breweries Look upon the Takayama Sake with a long history of excellence. grand Japan Brewery Tours In the winter, each one of them opens its doors to the public and Alps after taking encourages people to both sam- the Shinhotaka ple its new sake and have a look Takayama Nohi Bus Center around the brewery itself. Ropeway to the ▶P30 ▶P22 top of The trek through the sky in a cable car (split up into two trips) Nohi Bus (50 min) Mt. Shinhotaka offers gorgeous views of the valley below and the mountains See Shirakawa-go at its best, buried deep in snow and above. The panoramic view from the top is not to be missed! “Shirakawa-go” bus stop shining at night under the lights of the famous illumination event! ▶P39 Explore the village of Nohi Bus (1 hr 30 min) If you want to delve deeper into Gifu... Shirakawa-go Matsumoto (Nagano Prefecture) One of Japan’s very best castles Shop for ceramics in Tajimi!

Matsumoto Castle Tajimi is famous ▶P76 is designated a Na- for its superb Stay at the tional Treasure and pottery, so it is a TOYOTA is one of the most perfect place to beautiful castles in visit if you want to Shirakawa-go all of Japan. Come get your hands on Eco-Institute enjoy the castle some beautiful, and the rest of the traditional Japa- ▶P40 pleasant city! nese tableware!

8 9 Sample Itineraries for Gifu’s Four Seasons Famed for the okoshi- Kanazawa daiko Shinto ritual - part of Day 4 the Furukawa Festival held [Mar ~ May] Day 3 Day every April - and the white- SPRING 3 walled storehouses pictured here lining the canal. Day 2 Explore the town You can get some Day delicious locally- 1 This former post town, where many Gifu Park Day1 of Hida Furukawa made ice cream inns were located and where many made with thick, travelers stayed for the night, is rich milk. JR Nagoya Station built along a 600 meter-long stone- Nagoya Hida-Furukawa Station ▶P33 JR Chuo Main Line (1 hr 15 min) paved path that makes for fantastic photos! Nakatsugawa Station JR Takayama Main Line Sink your teeth into some of the highest-grade ▶P78 (16 min) Kita Ena Bus (25 min) Hida beef at any number of restaurants in town. “Magome-juku” bus stop Takayama Station Stroll through the old post town of Magome Walk through the Soba (buckwheat old quarter of “Magome-juku” bus stop noodles) are a specialty of the Magome area. Hida Takayama Kita Ena Bus (25 min) Nakatsugawa Station Kita Ena Bus (1 hr) Stay in Takayama “Kashimo Sogo ▶P27 Jimusho-mae” bus stop ▶P20 Nohi Bus (35 min) Elegantly constructed merchant houses line both sides of Gero Station Takayama’s old quarter, making this part of town particularly popular with tourists both from in Japan and from abroad. Appreciate the transient beauty of Springtime here is synonymous with the Takayama Spring Japan’s most famous flower at the Day Festival, and the cherry blossoms that decorate the town reach Nawashiro-zakura Cherry Trees 4 their peak from mid to late April. The cherry blos- ▶ Stay in Gero Hot P36 soms’ peak season Takayama Nohi Bus Spring is from early to mid- Center April, and their reflection Known across Japan for its Nohi Bus (50 min) “water of beauties,” Gero in the pond next to them is a perfect place for you to is one of the most unique "Shirakawa-go" bus stop spend some quality relax- and striking elements of any ation time. sakura-viewing spot in Japan! ▶P48 ▶P49 Explore the village of Shirakawa-go Day 2 Explore the streets ▶P47 of Gero's hot spring Relaxing in an ashiyu foot- district bath or two (free of charge!) is a Ogimachi is a village in which old houses must, as is checking out some constructed in the gassho-zukuri style re- of the delicious local food! main to this day. Their value is recognized Japanese traditional folk crafts make far and wide, and Shirakawa-go is even Gero Station splendid gifts to take home! designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Limited Express Wide View Hida (1 hr) Hida-Furukawa Station Nohi Bus (1 hr 15 min) If you want to delve deeper into Gifu... Kanazawa (Ishikawa Prefecture) Hida Satoyama Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s Admire Gifu Park’s gorgeous Three Great Gardens cherry trees Cycling ▶P52 Nearby Kenroku- These blossoms en, you will find reach their peak sites such as in early April, and Stay in Hida City Kanazawa Castle the cherry trees A place where the old traditions ▶ a n d t h e 2 1 s t lining the Nagara and respect for nature are very P34 Century Museum River are a sight much alive Have fun cycling while gazing at the beautiful Japanese of Contemporary to behold as well! ▶ P35 countryside scenery all around you! Art, Kanazawa.

10 11 Sample Itineraries for Gifu’s Four Seasons

SUMMER [Jun ~ Aug] Day 3 Day 3 Gifu Castle looming above Day 2 the plains below at the top Gujo Hachiman Day of Mt. Kinka. You can take Jokamachi Plaza 1 a cable car most of the way Day1 Day 4 Gifu Bus (1 hr 40 min) up the mountain or hike on Sekigahara foot. “Shirakawa-go” bus stop JR Nagoya Station Nagoya ▶P54 Explore the village of JR Tokaido Main Line Shirakawa-go (18 min) “Shirakawa-go” bus stop JR Gifu Station Nohi Bus (50 min) Gifu Bus (15 min) Takayama Nohi Bus Center ▶P36 ▶ The view of the thatched roof houses against the countryside P55 Limited Express Wide View “Gifu Koen/Rekishi These cool and green is a sight you will never forget! Hakubutsukan-mae” bus stop Hida (45 min) from Takayama refreshing mizu- Station uchiwa make for perfect souvenirs! Gero Station Make use of a "Yu-meguri Tegata" Gifu Castle pass to try out a variety of hot spring Stroll the streets of baths in the area. Watch the spectacle Gero’s hot spring district of cormorant fishing Nagaragawa Cider, made using the Nagara River’s delicious, pure water on the Nagara River Stay in Gero Hot Spring ▶P49 Stay in Nagaragawa Hot Spring Day Enjoy the iron-rich, cloudy 4 water that is characteris- tic of the onsen here. ▶P56 Gero Station The perfect time of year for tomatoes, Nohi Bus (1 hr) ▶P53 one of Gero’s delica- cies! The tradition of ukai cormorant fishing has been preserved in “Gandate Koen Iriguchi” Gifu City for 1,300 years and is the highlight of the summer bus stop season. Go waterfall-hopping Day in Osaka Falls A cluster of over 200 2 waterfalls formed by the ▶P71 “Gandate Koen Iriguchi” eruption of Mt. Ontake ▶P51 JR Gifu Station bus stop long ago JR Takayama Main Line Nohi Bus (1 hr) How about a healthy (35 min) Gero Station meal after your trek? Mino-Ota Station Limited Express Wide View Nagaragawa Railway Hida (55 min) (17 min) Mino-Ota Station Hamono Kaikan-mae Station ▶P68 Seki is a town famous for blades of Unagi eel is a local Explore the old post Explore Seki City all kinds, dating back to when it was delicacy in Seki and town of Ota-juku on the center of sword-making in Japan. ayu sweetfish is a The atmosphere of specialty of Gujo, so the Nakasendo route an Edo period (1603 Hamono Kaikan-mae Station ~ 1868) town remains be sure to try them ▶ Nagaragawa Railway (65 min) out! P72 to this day. Gujo-Hachiman Station Nagoya Jump right in and If you want to delve deeper into Gifu... ▶P91 try your hand Walk the historic bat- at the Gujo Odori Mino-Ota Station tlefield of Sekigahara! Dance Kyoto JR Takayama Main Line (35 min) The site of Japan’s most fa- JR Gifu Station mous battle 400 years ago that Stay in Gujo ▶P58 JR Tokaido Main Line (10 min) determined the path the country Anybody is welcome to participate Ogaki Station would follow, Sekigahara sees Hachiman in this, one of the most famous bon- JR Tokaido Main Line (15 min) many tourists interested in ▶P63 odori dances in Japan! Sekigahara Station Japanese history.

12 13 Sample Itineraries for Gifu’s Four Seasons

Day 3 Day 2 The Northern Japan [ ] Alps glittering like a AUTUMN Sep ~ Nov Day sea of gold is truly a 3 sight to behold. Peak The colors of Ena Valley reach season is during the month of October, their peak between early to mid- Day 4 Look upon the grand November, and the combination of Japan Alps from the though different Day the red and yellow-draped moun- areas change color Day1 heights of at different times 1 tains and the blue lake makes for Yoro Waterfall Mt. Shinhotaka’s a beautiful sight. because of the dif- peak! ference in altitude! ▶ JR Nagoya Station P82 Nagoya JR Chuo Main Line “Shinhotaka Ropeway” ▶P30 (1 hr) bus stop Ena Station Nohi Bus (1 hr 30 min) Explore Ena and enjoy the beauty and Takayama Nohi Bus Center many colors of Ena Valley's fall foliage Nohi Bus (50 min) “Shirakawa-go” bus stop Ena Station JR Chuo Main Line (10 min) Explore and stay in Nakatsugawa Station The kurikinton, a delec- table Japanese sweet Shirakawa-go Kita Ena Bus (25 min) made using chestnuts, is ▶P43 “Magome-juku” bus stop one of the main delica- cies of the region. Only ▶P36 available during the au- The best time to take in the autumn colors in Shirakawa-go is Stroll through and tumn season! ▶P78 between late October and mid-November. stay in Magome-juku Day The area around Gujo ▶ The architecture and layout of this old post town, with its steep- 4 P81 ly sloped stone path, really bring out the charms of autumn! Hachiman Castle becomes a blaze of “Shirakawa-go” bus stop autumn colors during Day mid to late Novem- 2 Gifu Bus (1 hr 25 min) ber, a period whose highlight is the illumi- “Magome-juku” bus stop nation of the castle Gujo Hachiman and its surrounding Kita Ena Bus (25 min) Jokamachi Plaza crimson trees. Nakatsugawa Station Kita Ena Bus (1 hr) Stroll through ▶P60 Gujo Hachiman “Kashimo Sogo ▶ Oyada Shrine is one Jimusho-mae” bus stop P48 of the most hand- At the morning market, you can get your hands on a Gujo-Hachiman Station Nohi Bus (35 min) some destinations in variety of fresh vegetables, local specialty products, and Nagaragawa Railway the entire prefecture Gero Station more! (45 min) during the fall season! Shop at the The giant maple trees Mino-shi Station engulfing the shrine Ideyu Morning and its surrounding Market in Gero Explore areas reach their red- Mino City dish peak during mid Gero Station to late November. Takayama ramen Limited Express Wide View is famous through- ▶ Hida (45 min) out Japan, and for P66 Takayama Station good reason! Walk the old quarter If you want to delve deeper into Gifu... of Hida Takayama ▶P20 The elegance of Hida Takayama’s old Nagoya Mino-shi Station Take a trip to the Takayama Nohi Bus Center quarter attracts visitors from around Nagaragawa Railway (30 min) Yoro Waterfall Nohi Bus (1 hr) the world! Autumn colors are at their Mino-Ota Station This waterfall is located best between late October and early Kyoto JR Takayama Main Line (35 min) deep within Yoro Park, Hirayu Bus Terminal ▶P23 November. JR Gifu Station a beautiful natural area JR Tokaido Main Line (10 min) that boasts an incred- Stay in the Okuhida Hot Spring Villages ible number of maple Ogaki Station A region made up of five fantastic hot spring districts, Okuhida is a wonderful place to re- trees leading up to the Yoro Railway (25 min) lieve yourself of the stress of travel. powerful waterfall. ▶P31 Yoro Station ▶P86

14 15