Gifu Hidden Gems
Mountain Japan at its most photogenic — thatched farmhouses, a preserved Edo townscape in Takayama, and river towns still fishing with cormorants.
10 spots
Climate & Best Season
Hida in the north is cold and snowy; the southern plain is hot and humid. April–May and October–November are ideal.
Famous For (Food)
- Hida beef
- Ayu (sweetfish)
- Keichan
- Gohei-mochi
Signature Sights
- Shirakawa-go (UNESCO)
- Takayama old town
- Gero Onsen
- Gujo Hachiman
Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village — UNESCO World Heritage Farmhouses
Shirakawa-go (白川郷) clusters 114 gassho-zukuri (合掌造り, 'praying hands') farmhouses in a mountain valley where snow piles 3…
Gokayama Ainokura — Quieter Gassho Village
Gokayama's Ainokura (相倉集落) is Shirakawa-go's smaller, quieter neighbor — a hamlet of 20 gassho-zukuri farmhouses set on…
Hida Furukawa — Quieter Alternative to Takayama
Hida Furukawa (飛騨古川) is Takayama's smaller, calmer sibling — a canal-lined town of white-walled storehouses, wooden town…
Gero Onsen — One of Japan's Three Great Hot Springs
Gero Onsen (下呂温泉) is ranked among Japan's 'Three Great Hot Springs' (alongside Kusatsu and Arima) for its exceptionally…
Gujo Hachiman — Water Town of Springs & Canals
Gujo Hachiman (郡上八幡) is a castle town built on spring water — over 100 natural springs flow through the streets in open…
Gifu Castle — Mountain Fortress Above the Clouds
Gifu Castle (岐阜城) crowns Mt. Kinka (329m), a dramatic mountain rising from the Nagara River plain. Originally built in 1…
Nagara River Cormorant Fishing (Ukai) — 1,300-Year Tradition
Ukai (鵜飼, cormorant fishing) happens after dark on the Nagara River between May 11 and October 15. Fishermen in traditio…
Magome to Tsumago Hike — Nakasendo Trail Villages
The Magome-Tsumago hike follows a 7.8km preserved section of the Nakasendo (中山道) — the Edo-period mountain route connect…
Gero Onsen Gassho Village — Hot Springs Meet Heritage Houses
Gero Onsen Gassho Village (合掌の里) combines two of Gifu's signatures — alkaline hot springs and UNESCO-style gassho-zukuri…
Shinhotaka Ropeway — Japan Alps Aerial Journey
The Shinhotaka Ropeway (新穂高ロープウェイ) is Japan's only double-decker cable car, ascending 1,308 meters from the Hida mountai…