The best things to do and eat in Gifu City

Leave behind the hustle and bustle of the Golden Route and discover the tranquil beauty of Gifu City, an understated gem with abundant natural beauty and ever-changing seasonal wonders. Home to Gifu Castle, the stronghold of the fearsome daimyo Oda Nobunaga, Gifu also has a fascinating history and rich culture. It’s a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of Japan’s famous metropolises, and only a short train ride from Nagoya. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover or just enjoy exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations, you’re sure to fall in love with this scenic city. Read on for our recommendations on what to see and do, and where to try the city’s best eats.

Top Things to Do in Gifu

1. Gifu Castle

Gifu Castle is a historical landmark that allows you to step back in time and enjoy panoramic views of the cityscape and the mountains in the distance. Perched atop Mount Kinka, this castle played an important role in Japanese history. This was the home base of Nobunaga – widely regarded as one of Japan’s three great unifiers – as he planned his ultimately unsuccessful plan to unify the country. Although the current building was rebuilt in 1956, the castle houses fascinating historical exhibits and an extensive collection of traditional armor and swords.

Hike to the castle via one of several hiking trails or ascend Jinhua Mountain Cable CarLocated next to Gifu Park, you can reach the top of the mountain faster. Please note that the castle is a 10-minute walk from the top station of the funicular. Visitors visiting in the fall will be in for a special treat as the castle is surrounded by stunning autumn foliage. The peak leaf viewing season is mid-to-late November.

2. Kawaramachi Historic District

Not to be confused with Kyoto’s Kawaramachi shopping district, Gifu’s Kawaramachi district is a riverside port that has been frequented by merchants since the reign of Nobunaga in the second half of the 16th century. This charming port features lattice townhouses, classic red mailboxes, and narrow alleys between warehouses that you can peek through. The main street is lined with traditional craft shops and retro candy shops, selling Gifu vermicelli, salt-grilled and other products Ayu Ayu and crucian carpAyu-shaped castella sponge cake, a traditional Gifu snack filled with ayu baby Soft mochi.

3. Ukai fishing boat experience

You’ve never seen fishing like this before: flames dance in hanging lanterns, illuminating the long wooden boats and the black river on which they float. With a dozen leather straps, each tied loosely around the neck of a cormorant, a man searches the water for sweetfish. Small fish can be swallowed; large fish cannot fit through the belt loop and must remain in the bag in the bird’s gullet to be retrieved by the fisherman. This method of fishing, known as “ukai”, has been around for 1,300 years and was sponsored by Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu, as well as admired by Charlie Chaplin and 17th-century haiku master Matsuo Basho.

Gifu City’s Nagara River is one of the most famous cormorant fishing spots in Japan, and watching cormorant fishing in the city is a must during the cormorant fishing season (approximately mid-May to mid-October). To see this ancient fishing technique up close, join an ukai cruise. The boat departs from near Kawaramachi.

4.Gifu Big Buddha: Shohoji Temple

Japan’s top two Big Buddha Undoubtedly, the Nara Giant Buddha at Todaiji Temple and the Kamakura Giant Buddha at Kotokuin Temple. The third spot is still up for grabs, but one of the top contenders is the Gifu Giant Buddha at Shohoji Temple. This magnificent 13.7-meter tall Buddha is the largest lacquered Buddha statue in Japan.

Zhengfa Temple is a Zen temple of the Huangbo Sect, with a history dating back to 1683. Its Great Buddha statue (also known as the Kago Daibutsu (“basket” Buddha) because of its woven bamboo frame) was inspired by the Great Buddha of Nara and was completed in 1832. You’ll find Shohoji Temple near Gifu Park.

5. Gifu Park

Located at the foot of Mt. Kinka and in the shadow of Gifu Castle, Gifu Park is perfect for nature lovers and history buffs. In and around this lush park, you’ll find Oda Nobunaga’s garden, the ruins of his former home, the Kato Eizo and Toichi Memorial Museum, and the Gifu City History Museum. You can also enjoy matcha and Ryurai-style traditional desserts (sitting on a chair rather than kneeling) at the park’s teahouse, which also serves matcha soft-serve ice cream.

The park is beautiful year-round, but those looking for an extra whimsy or pop of color should see the cherry blossoms in late March to early April or the fall foliage in mid-to-late November to early December. As of this writing, some of the park’s roads and facilities are under construction and therefore impassable. Construction is expected to be completed in the spring of 2025, just in time for cherry blossom viewing.

6. Monet’s Pond

This tranquil pond looks like a scene from an Impressionist painting, hence its name: Monet’s Pond. The pond has no official name and was largely unknown until it came to the attention of social media users in 2015. It is now widely praised for its ethereal beauty.

Located next to Nemichi Shrine, this picturesque pond features crystal clear turquoise water dotted with early summer blooming water lilies and colorful koi carps. In late autumn, the surrounding Japanese maples light up the landscape with their fiery red colors.

While the pond is a bit difficult to get to from Gifu City – it’s an hour’s drive, or longer by train and bus – it’s probably worth a visit for Impressionist art lovers.

Courtesy of Japan Design Center

7. Forest for everyone: Gifu Central Library

Gifu Central Library is part of a cultural complex called Minna no Mori Media Cosmos. This massive library is a dream for bookworms, architecture lovers, and anyone looking for a peaceful afternoon. Designed by Toyo Ito, the building houses conference spaces, exhibition spaces, a library and studios.

Visit the library on the second floor to admire the stunning “Umbrella Forest”: eleven large hemispheres made of triaxial braid, each with its own pattern, suspended from the library’s undulating ceiling, Casts a soft glow across the space. The library’s unique design is both futuristic and organic, simple yet whimsical, making it a must-visit. The facility even has its own Minna no Mori font used throughout the building, including Japanese, English and numbers.

Food and places in Gifu City

Best traditional food

Provided by Ayamizuki

Ayanizuki: Hida beef

Hida beef is high-quality beef from Kuroge Wagyu beef raised in the Hida area of ​​Gifu Prefecture. It is known for its marble texture and incredible tenderness. exist Ayamizukiyou can enjoy this delicious dish at a reasonable price. Choose a beef rice set and get the chance to try Hida beef – A5 grade sirloin, A5 grade lean beef or tenderloin for less than 5,000 yen. All rooms in the restaurant are private.

Provided by Gotoya

Japanese Ryori Gotoya: Hida Beef and Hoba Miso

Gotoya and Furarazato This is a long-established restaurant where you can enjoy local seasonal ingredients such as Hida beef and ayu. Taste A5 grade Hida beef because Miso — Local magnolia leaves grilled with homemade koji miso sauce — Order the Hida Beef Hoba Yaki Gozen Set. Although the origin of hoba miso is unknown, some believe that woodcutters from the Hida region were the creators of this delicacy. It is said that the people of these forests, faced with the prospect of baking miso without a cooker, came up with the idea of ​​using magnolia leaves as an alternative grilling surface. If you would like to enjoy a special dessert after your meal, please choose the banquet package: Dessert was ice cream from Racconto, Gotoya’s ice cream parlor – a beloved local shop.

Provided by Hirai

Yoshizato Hirai, Japan: Catfish

Founded in 1873, Yoshiri Hirai It has been in business for more than 150 years and serves traditional local delicacies, including the local specialty sweetfish caught in the nearby Nagara River. Between July and October, ayu can be enjoyed in many ways: dry, grilled with salt, stewed in soy sauce, with me-style (brushed with sweet miso sauce), served with rice soup, etc. Also on the menu is Hida beef, and Hida beef shabu-shabu is an especially enjoyable option during the colder months.

The best local snacks and desserts

Provided by Tamaya

Tamaya Honpo: Ayugashi

Head to the Kawaramachi Historic District to find ancient Tamaya Honpo Supplier of sweets, fish cakes and other delicacies. These sweet mochi-filled fish-shaped desserts make a delicious snack and great souvenir.

Provided by Swallow House

Tsubaya Yanase Main Store: Warabi Mochi

Yanase Swallow House A dessert shop located on Yanase Shopping Street Nagabashi Dori, a 15-minute walk from JR Gifu Station. Fans of traditional and modern Japanese cuisine will find much to appreciate here, from Dorayaki, Yokan and Kusamochi to pudding, ice cream Monaco and beyond. But the specialty of this store is warabi mochi (bracken dumplings). Try the shop’s famous Tsubaki-warabi: a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth fern mochi sprinkled with deeply roasted soy (soy flour).

Provided by Tarbelog

Odamaki Sakeya: Odamaki

Odamaki Eiya Serve Odamaki, This is a little-known Gifu soul food made from red bean paste wrapped in a thin shell of wheat flour. The bean paste is not too sweet, making it a good choice for people who don’t like desserts. Odamaki Sakaeya ​​is a true specialty store with only two dishes on the menu: regular Odamaki (75 yen) and fried tempura Odamaki (85 yen).

Best Casual Meal

provided by tabelog

Muraseda Rakusho: Moving Eyes Raku

Founded in 1902, Murase because Dongmu TianleTofu skewers are coated with kinome miso and grilled over a fire. This Gifu dish is traditionally topped with kinome (young leaves of Japanese pepper), but now it’s often sprinkled with ground Japanese pepper.

Provided by Gengke

Gengke: Rili

Gengke Gifu classics perfect for hot weather: Raccoon (Frozen Tanuki Soba). There are several stores named after Sarako in the city, most of which are Norenwick — A store run by former apprentices of the original store, which was established in 1928 and currently serves soba noodles in Gifu’s Kyoumachi neighborhood. Gengke is known for its fast service, with food being served in just 10 seconds after ordering. Try the sweet and spicy soup, tempura batter slices, and of course the sweet fried tofu slices.

provided by tabelog

Gifu Danmen, Gifu Main Store: Gifu Danmen

popularity Gifu Tanmon GateIt was originally a ramen shop in Inazawa City, Aichi Prefecture. After opening this shop in Gifu City, the business has flourished. Its noodles are so popular that they are called “Gifu Danmen”. The shop’s salt broth, packed with flavors of pork, Chinese cabbage and garlic, is the star of the show, although customers also praise the texture of the Gifu Danmen noodles. The restaurant is now part of a family with 34 stores, including sister restaurants, and its danmen have even been featured on a TV show.

How to get there

Departing from Tokyo

Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station (or Shinagawa Station) to Nagoya Station. From there, it takes about 20 minutes by train to reach Gifu City.

Departing from Osaka

Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Nagoya Station. From there, it takes about 20 minutes by train to reach Gifu City.

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