岐阜
Gifu
Gifu · chubu
A castle city on the Nagara River, birthplace of Nobunaga's great ambitions, with ancient Ukai cormorant fishing and exceptional lacquered paper lanterns.
Who Gifu is for
History enthusiasts following the Nobunaga story, Ukai fishing viewers.
About Gifu
Gifu was the capital where Oda Nobunaga launched his campaign to unify Japan. The city is famous for Gifu chochin paper lanterns, traditional umbrellas, and Ukai cormorant fishing.
Things to do
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Gifu Castle
PopularReconstructed 4-tier castle on Mount Kinka featuring a historical museum & city views.
View on Google MapsWorld Freshwater Aquarium Aqua Totto Gifu
Modern aquarium featuring freshwater fish, birds & sea lions, plus a gift shop & restaurant.
View on Google MapsGifu Park
Mountainside park with a cable car to the summit, plus gardens known for their seasonal displays.
View on Google MapsGifu Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum
Displays of Japanese fighter planes & full-size models of space exploration craft like Mars rovers.
View on Google MapsKogane Shrine
Believers pray to a Shinto goddess for financial good fortune at this shrine with a gold torii gate.
View on Google MapsInaba Shrine
Centuries-old Shinto shrine in a peaceful complex amid maple trees, with views of Gifu city.
View on Google Maps
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Plan a trip to Gifu →Getting around Gifu
Getting around Gifu is straightforward thanks to the extensive local bus network, which serves most major attractions including Gifu Castle and the Nagara River ukai cormorant fishing sites. Buses typically run every 10-15 minutes on main routes and operate until around 10 p.m. The easiest way to pay is with an IC card like ICOCA or Suica, which you can purchase and top up at convenience stores and train stations; alternatively, paper tickets cost around ¥210 per ride, or consider a one-day pass for roughly ¥700 if making multiple trips. The city center is compact and walkable, especially around the castle and traditional lantern-making district, and bicycle rental is available at several stations for around ¥1,000 per day - ideal for exploring the riverside paths and quieter neighborhoods. Taxis are reasonably priced and useful if you're heading to outlying sites or traveling late in the evening, though the bus system covers most visitor destinations well.
Best time to visit
Spring and autumn offer the most rewarding visits to this castle city. Late March through early April brings spectacular cherry blossoms that frame the historic castle and riverside walks, while the mild temperatures make exploration comfortable. October through November showcases brilliant autumn foliage, particularly around the castle grounds and along the Nagara River, with pleasantly cool but dry weather ideal for sightseeing. Summer typically brings intense heat and humidity that can detract from outdoor activities, while the rainy season usually peaks in June and typhoons occasionally disrupt travel in September. The Nagara River Ukai cormorant fishing season typically runs from mid-May through mid-October, offering a unique cultural experience under lantern light during summer evenings. If you prefer fewer crowds, consider May or September as shoulder seasons - the former features pleasant weather before peak summer heat, while the latter offers lingering warmth and the beginning of autumn colors, though typhoon risk warrants monitoring forecasts.
Where to stay
The castle district near Gifu Castle offers traditional ryokan and upscale inns that capture the city's samurai heritage, with many establishments featuring riverside views of the Nagara River and easy walking access to the castle and surrounding temples. Central Gifu Station provides a more modern accommodation mix of business hotels and capsule options, typically ranging from around ¥8,000 to ¥16,000 per night for a modest double room, with convenient train connections to both the castle area and Ukai cormorant fishing departure points. For a more immersive experience, the quieter neighborhoods along the river's north bank host family-run guesthouses and smaller ryokan where you can experience the lantern-making culture firsthand. Most areas are within 15 - 20 minutes' travel time to major attractions, whether by local bus, tram, or on foot, making any central choice practical for exploring the city's historical and culinary offerings.
What to eat
Gifu's culinary identity centers on hoba miso, a rustic dish of miso paste and vegetables grilled atop magnolia leaves, and ayyu no karamushi, sweetfish prepared whole with salt and grilled until crispy. Food lovers should explore Kawakami, the historic merchant street near the castle, where traditional restaurants serve these regional specialties alongside seasonal river delicacies, or visit the covered Yanaze shopping arcade for casual lunch spots and food stalls. The prefecture is renowned for sake brewing, with several breweries offering tastings and tours in the surrounding countryside, while the Nagara River's ayyu season also inspires a distinctive tea culture celebrating the fish's delicate flavor. Budget travelers can find hoba miso sets at casual restaurants typically ranging ¥1,200 - 1,800, or grab grilled ayyu skewers from street vendors for around ¥500 - 800, making Gifu's best flavors accessible at any price point.
Reviews
The best University
I graduated from the correspondence course over 10 years ago. The school building is very beautiful, and the campus surrounded by greenery is very lovely. Of course, this is subjective, but I got along well with many of the other correspondence course students I met at the time, and we quickly became friends and had many encounters. On the other hand, I later graduated from the Faculty of Education at another university via correspondence course, and in comparison, I think the people working in welfare were more humane and pleasant. I was enrolled for six years, and have almost no bad memories. There were many unusual teachers, but (I can't speak for others) I think most of them were simply good people. However, I wouldn't say that the correspondence course office's service was particularly good. That's why I gave it a rating of 3.
My daughter was bullied and couldn't go to preschool. Worst of all, the teachers didn't do anything.
The gap between trustworthy teachers and staff and those who are not is too great.
The shuttle bus made a reckless right turn, completely ignoring the traffic light. Bad manners.
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