Of ficial Tourism Website : http://travel.kankou-gifu.jp/en/ Blog : http://gifucrossroads.wordpress.com/ Facebook Page : "Gifu Crossroads" , culture, and history.

Gifu Lanterns and Mino Washi Japanese Paper Kansai International Kanazawa World Heritage Site Airport (Kenroku-en Garden) Shirakawa-go

Hida Takayama (Morning Market)

Bask in the wonders of the great outdoors and the rejuvenating power of hot springs.

Osaka H Magome-juku Gero Hot Spring H Osaka Falls

Hida Takayama H Tateyama Kurobe Unazuki Hot Springs H Tokyo H Narita International Alpine Route Airport

Gifu Prefecture, situated between Tokyo and Osaka

Kenroku-en Garden Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Sekigahara

●Tourism and International Affairs Bureau, Gifu Prefectural Government 2-1-1 Yabutaminami, Gifu City, Gifu 500-8570 Japan Phone: 05 8 - 2 7 2 - 1 1 1 1（8：3 0 a m ～ 5：1 5 p m ） E-mail： [email protected] Closed: Weekends, holidays, New Year's holiday season 12 Mino Washi Japanese Paper Crafts 14 Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum Crafts 16 Lifelike Food Replicas Activities Mino Washi Japanese paper has a proud tradition of more than 1,300 Blades have been produced in Seki City for nearly 700 years. Enjoy the experience of making wax-based food 8 Shinhotaka Ropeway Nature years and is made using a specialized nagashisuki method that allows The high quality products, which include katana (Japanese replicas, such as tempura and lettuce, that look 5 Takayama Festival Festivals Shinhotaka boasts Japan's first and only two-tiered the beautiful paper to come out thin yet durable like cloth. Mino swords), kitchen knives, scissors, nail clippers and more, are just like the real thing! Gujo City is the birthplace The Takayama Festival is held in April and gondola. Visitors enjoy a panoramic view of the Washi paper is used in traditional craftwork such as Gifu Japanese famous even overseas. The methods used in making traditional of these replicas often displayed in restaurant October every year and is counted among Northern Japan Alps from the observation deck, umbrellas and Gifu lanterns, and is designated an Intangible Cultural katana are on display at the Seki Traditional Swordsmith storefronts, and products made here are sold all Japan’s three most beautiful festivals. which stands at an altitude of 2,156 m. Heritage by UNESCO. Museum. 16 over Japan. During this festival, which was designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2016, you can see the extravagant workmanship of the traditional floats up-close.

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9 Okuhida Hot Spring Villages Hot Springs 5 This region’s abundant natural hot springs make it number 17 Hill of Humanity park and 9 one in Japan in terms of the sheer number of open-air baths. 12 Chiune Sugihara Enjoy the feeling of freedom through the year's four seasons. Memorial Hall History Chiune Sugihara (1900-1986) was a 14 Japanese diplomat who saved the lives 10 ature of thousands of Jewish refugees by Osaka Falls N issuing them transit visas to Japan There are over 200 pristine waterfalls at the during the Second World War. These base of Mt. Ontake. Explore the many falls actions have recieved much praise and and enjoy the natural beauty of the forest by recognition from all over the world. taking one of the various hiking courses. 23 Ji-kabuki and Playhouses The Hill of Humanity park and Chiune Sugihara Memorial Hall were built in Tradition 13 Yaotsu to honor his achievements and Referring to a variety of kabuki that is ood preserve his memory for future Hoba Miso F performed not by professionals but by generations. Regional miso, or soy bean 10 美濃 local amateurs, ji-kabuki is a tradition 13 Old Streets of Mino istory H paste, is grilled with fresh that has continued for hundreds of years. 17 11 Gero Hot Spring ot Springs The flavor of the Edo Period (17th ‒ 19th century) remains alive ingredients over a magnolia H Many ji-kabuki playhouses remain in c NPO Chiune Sugihara. Visas For Life Mino in these streets, with their traditional architecture and 15 4 Takayama Jinya History leaf. Counted as one of the three most famous the eastern region of Gifu Prefecture, and embellished udatsu firewalls. The Mino Washi "Akari" Art hot springs in Japan, the luxurious waters of This facility was used as a government the plays and choreography particular Exhibition of Japanese paper sculptures is held in October of Gero are said to work wonders on the skin. office during the Edo Period (17th ‒ 19th to this practice continue to be protected each year. These works on display are contributed from all over 15 radition The riverbed features a natural outdoor bath Gujo Odori Dance Festival T century). Today, it is the last remaining Southern GIFU and passed down by the locals. the country, and their soft, delicate light illuminates the streets, (pictured here) that can be used for free. The Gujo Odori is counted as one of the three most famous folk facility of its kind. creating a dream-like atmosphere. dances in Japan. The tetsuya-odori, or “all-night dance,” held 24 istory each year from August 13th to the 16th sees tens of thousands 4 Magome-juku (Nakasendo) H 美濃 This post town once thrived along the Nakasendo, a road that connected Edo of people gather from all around Japan to dance the whole (Tokyo) and Kyoto during the Edo Period (17th̶19th century). The area has night through. 1 World Heritage Site Mino been beautifully restored and the cobblestone streets, latticed storefronts, tea Shirakawa-go houses, and gift shops bring one back to a time long ago. 23 World Heritage 6 11

Southern GIFU 110 folk houses with roofs 20 Site of Reversible Destiny(Yoro Park) Activities thatched in the gassho, or 6 Furukawa Festival Festivals Designed by modern artist Shusaku Arakawa and his partner, the “praying hands,” style stand in The Furukawa Festival proclaims the arrival 25 Mino Yaki Ceramic Ware poet Madeline Gins, this work of art is designed to challenge this quiet mountain village of spring to the Hida region and is one of the ctivities your preconceived notions of balance and perspective. community. Shirakawa-go is a three largest festivals of its kind in Japan. A A registered UNESCO World 7 crowd of energetic, bare-chested men Mino's pottery has a history of over 400 years Heritage Site. parade to the beat of large taiko drums.This and was developed in this region, which 飛騨 includes the cities of Tajimi, Toki, and festival was designated as an Intangible 7 Hida Shunkei Lacquer Ware Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2016. Mizunami. This area currently boasts over a Hida 60% share of ceramic ware production Crafts nationally. Visit the many galleries and Ayu Sweetfish Food Clear lacquer is applied to wood to bring exhibitions and even create your own Hida Beef Food Ayu, or sweetfish, are a freshwater fish native to out the natural beauty of the grain. pottery piece. the pristine waters of the Nagara River. Both Ayu Hida brand beef is a succulent meat that melts in your mouth. Try it as steak, sushi, Japanese Northern GIFU and the Nagara River play an important part in the hotpot, or a number of other ways in which it is region’s economy, history, and Culture. The fish 25 are normally grilled simply with salt to accentuate guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds! the delicate flavor and texture of the meat. Ayu of 1 26 Kobei-gama Workshop 18 20 the Nagara River system are designated as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. Crafts This ceramics studio has a history of 200 18 Mt. Kinka & History 8 years, and the works produced here are representative of Mino Yaki. Tour the Gifu Castle Hida 9 Northern GIFU exhibition hall, which is a reconstruction of a Mt. Kinka rises to an elevation of 1 2 traditional folk house, and shop for ceramics. 329 m in the center of Gifu City. 3 6 Gifu Castle stands at its peak 7 with the beautiful waters of the 4 5 Nagara River flowing at its base. Kurikinton Food The top floor of the castle keep 10 features an incredible The mountain cities of Nakatsugawa and Ena are panoramic view of the GIFU famous for their kuri, or chestnuts, which are the 2 main ingredient in this traditional autumn sweet. 26 surrounding area. Visitors can 11 Sightseeing Spots 15 also ride a cable car up the 2 16 mountain. Shirakawa-go Uncover, Rediscover ‒ Experience Gifu Doburoku Festival 12 13 21 22 Festivals 14 Gifu’s central location means easy access from anywhere in the nation. 3 21 Ogaki Festival 22 Historic Sekigahara Battlegrounds This festival is held at three shrines in 23 24 Shirakawa-go to celebrate the harvest 19 27 19 As a central crossroads of east and west Japan, Gifu boasts a unique history and diverse Cormorant Fishing on estivals istory 3 18 17 F H in autumn. Doburoku, a ceremonial Gassho-zukuri Thatched Roof 22 21 the Nagara River The Ogaki Festival, held every year in May, is over 360 Sekigahara was the site of the largest samurai battle in sake brewed at the shrines, plays an Houses in Shirakawa-go 20 25 26 culture, which has been fostered by the prefecture's rich yet diverse natural terrain. radition years old and is one of Japan’s Important Intangible Japanese history. The battle of Sekigahara saw around important role in the festival. T World Heritage Gifu Prefecture is truly a place that brings together the greatness of Japan. This ancient fishing method known Folk Cultural Assets. At this festival 13 parade floats 160,000 samurai fighting for control of the realm. The as ukai, in which cormorants are make their way through Ogaki's castle town, creating battlegrounds today are far different from how they were A traditional Japanese fireplace called an 27 Ena Valley Nature a very beautiful and rare atmosphere that can be on that fateful day in 1600, offering beautiful views of the irori graces the communal rooms of most of used to catch fish, has been a Mino Ena Valley is a man-made lake formed by the enjoyed by all. This festival was designated as an tranquil Japanese countryside. Flags and stone these majestic houses. Guests can even stay tradition in Gifu for 1,300 years. The Southern GIFU construction of the Oi Dam. Sightseeing boats Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2016. monuments remain to indicate where the military the night in an authentic gassho style folk six boats with their beacons of flame cruise upon its waters, showing visitors the and the cormorant fishing masters encampments of the Eastern and Western Armies once house. stood. There is also a museum offering more in-depth magnificent rock formations that line the valley's directing their birds make for a banks, as well as seasonal attractions such as cherry fantastic sight. information about the battle, and the busho generals that 19 participated in it. blossoms in spring and changing leaves in autumn. 27 24