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Located right in the middle of Japan, Gifu Prefecture is a charming place brimming with majestic nature and a rich history. It is home to many spots where you can encounter the quintessential landscapes of Japan, such as the World Heritage site Shirakawa-go, famous for its “Gassho-zukuri” farmhouses, and Hida Takayama, which retains the streetscape of the Edo period.
In this article, we have carefully selected 15 must-visit tourist spots in Gifu, from classic attractions you can’t miss to hidden gems recommended for seasoned travelers. You are sure to find a place that suits your travel style!
Contents
[Conclusion] Two Major Gifu Sightseeing Itineraries
We propose two model courses for efficiently touring the vast Gifu Prefecture.
- Golden Route (Enjoying the Hida Area):
- Day 1: Base yourself at Takayama Station, stroll through the “Hida Takayama Old Town,” and stay overnight in Takayama.
- Day 2: Take a day trip to “Shirakawa-go” by bus. In the evening, stay at Okuhida Onsen-go or Gero Onsen.
- History and Nature Route (Mino & Tono Areas):
- Day 1: Head from Nagoya to “Magome-juku.” Walking the Nakasendo trail to Tsumago-juku is also recommended.
- Day 2: Move to the Gifu Station area and enjoy “Gifu Castle” and “Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River.”
Gifu Prefecture is large, and travel between areas takes time. It is recommended to plan your trip by dividing it into the “Hida Area,” which includes Takayama and Shirakawa-go, and the “Mino Area,” which includes Gifu Castle and Magome-juku. Use limited express trains or highway buses for travel between areas.
MAP
[Hida Area]
1. Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village | A Quintessential Japanese Landscape Recognized by the World
Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, this is one of Japan’s most representative tourist destinations. The scenery, with over 100 large and small Gassho-zukuri farmhouses, feels as if you’ve wandered into a fairy tale. The view during the winter light-up events, with snow blanketing the village, is breathtakingly beautiful. The classic way to enjoy it is to view the entire village from the observatory.
- Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observatory: An excellent photo spot with a panoramic view of the entire village. Accessible by shuttle bus or on foot.
- Wada House: The largest Gassho-zukuri farmhouse in the village and a National Important Cultural Property. You can tour the inside.
- Winter Light-up: A limited-time event held on weekends from around January to February. A fantastical scene unfolds.
Location: Ogimachi, Shirakawa Village, Ono District, Gifu Prefecture
Access: About 50 minutes by express bus from JR Takayama Station
2. Hida Takayama Old Town (Sanmachi) | A Castle Town Fun for Food Hopping
Known as the “Little Kyoto of Hida,” this is a central tourist spot in Takayama. The area strongly retains the atmosphere of an Edo-period castle town, and the “Sanmachi-dori” street, with its beautiful latticed houses, is a must-see. You’ll find sake breweries offering local sake tasting, miso shops, and traditional craft stores. A major attraction is strolling and eating delicious local gourmet food like Hida beef nigiri sushi and mitarashi dango.
Location: Kami-ichino-machi, Kami-nino-machi, Kami-sanno-machi area, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
Access: About a 12-minute walk from JR Takayama Station
3. Shinhotaka Ropeway | Panoramic Views of the Northern Alps
Ride Japan’s only double-decker gondola to a world above the clouds at an altitude of 2,156 meters. From the mountaintop observatory, a 360-degree grand panorama of the majestic Northern Alps, including Mt. Nishi-Hotakadake and Mt. Yarigatake, unfolds. You can enjoy stunning views throughout the year, from the fresh green of spring and the colors of autumn to the silver world of winter.
Location: Shinhotaka, Okuhida Onsen-go, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
Fee (Round trip for 1st & 2nd Ropeways): Adults 3,300 yen, Children 1,650 yen
Access: About 1 hour and 40 minutes by bus from JR Takayama Station
4. Gero Onsen | “Waters of Beauty,” One of Japan’s Three Famous Springs
One of the “Three Famous Hot Springs of Japan,” alongside Arima Onsen and Kusatsu Onsen. The smooth water is gentle on the skin and is known as “Bijin-no-yu” (Waters of Beauty) because it leaves your skin feeling smooth after bathing. The hot spring town is dotted with free footbaths, which you can casually enjoy during a stroll. Walking through the charming town in a yukata is also recommended.
Location: Gero City, Gifu Prefecture
Access: A short walk from JR Gero Station
5. Takayama Jinya | A Precious Historic Site with a Remaining Edo-Period Office
This was the government office (daikansho/gundai yakusho) established by the Edo shogunate to directly rule the Hida region. As the only remaining gundai yakusho building in the entire country, it is a place of extremely high historical value. Inside the building, you can tour the offices of the officials of the time and the “oshirasu” (a place like a courtroom), making you feel as if you’ve slipped back in time to the Edo period.
Location: 1-5 Hachiken-machi, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
Opening Hours: 8:45 AM – 5:00 PM (varies by season)
Fee: Adults 440 yen
Access: About an 8-minute walk from JR Takayama Station
6. Okuhida Onsen-go | Five Hot Spring Areas Embraced by Nature
This is the collective name for five hot spring areas: Hirayu, Fukuji, Shin-Hirayu, Tochio, and Shinhotaka. Located at the foot of the Northern Alps, each hot spring area is surrounded by rich nature. The open-air baths with views of the magnificent mountains are exceptional. It is the perfect place to forget the hustle and bustle of the city and refresh both mind and body.
[Mino & Tono Area]
7. Gifu Castle & Mt. Kinka Ropeway | The Grand View Seen by Oda Nobunaga
This castle is famous as the base from which the warlord Oda Nobunaga aimed to unify Japan. It stands atop Mt. Kinka and can be easily reached by ropeway. From the castle keep, you can get a panoramic view of the Nagara River flowing below, the city of Gifu, and even the skyscrapers of Nagoya in the distance, truly making you feel as if you have “conquered the world.”
Location: 18 Tenshukaku, Kinkasan, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture
Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (varies by season and day of the week)
Fee (Gifu Castle): Adults 200 yen
Access: About 15 minutes by bus from JR Gifu Station, get off at “Gifu Park History Museum Mae,” and it’s a 3-minute walk to the ropeway station.
8. Magome-juku | A Beautiful Post Town with Cobblestone Slopes
This was one of the post towns on the Nakasendo, a major highway that once connected Edo (Tokyo) and Kyo (Kyoto). The scenery, with old houses, souvenir shops, and tea houses lining the steep, cobblestone slope, is very atmospheric. The hiking trail to the neighboring Tsumago-juku is also popular, allowing you to enjoy walking the old highway as if you were a traveler of the past.
Location: Magome, Nakatsugawa City, Gifu Prefecture
Access: About 25 minutes by bus from JR Nakatsugawa Station
9. Monet’s Pond (Nemichi Shrine Pond) | A Fantastical Pond Famous on Social Media
This is a nameless pond on the grounds of Nemichi Shrine, but it shot to fame on social media because its beauty closely resembles Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies” series of paintings. The sight of colorful carp swimming and water lilies floating in the surprisingly clear spring water is truly like a living painting.
Monet’s Pond is a natural pond, so its appearance can change significantly depending on the weather and light. The water may become cloudy after a rainy day.
Location: 440-1 Itadori, Seki City, Gifu Prefecture
Access: Access by public transport is difficult, so using a car, taxi, or tour is recommended.
10. Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River (Ukai) | A Traditional Fishing Method with 1300 Years of History
A summer tradition in Gifu City. In the pitch-black darkness, blazing bonfires (kagaribi) illuminate the river surface as master fishers (usho) skillfully handle cormorants to catch ayu (sweetfish). You can watch this traditional fishing method up close from a viewing boat, which is a very fantastical and powerful experience. It is held annually from May 11th to October 15th.
11. Gujo Hachiman | A Castle Town of Water and the Gujo Odori Dance
Known as the “Town of Water,” with waterways running throughout the town. The summer “Gujo Odori” is famous as Japan’s longest Bon dance festival, where anyone can freely participate. It is also known as the birthplace of food replicas, and the replica-making workshops are popular.
12. Sekigahara Battlefield | The Site of the Battle that Divided the Nation
This is the stage for the “Battle of Sekigahara” in 1600, where the Eastern Army led by Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Western Army led by Ishida Mitsunari clashed. It’s a must-visit place for history buffs. At the Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum, you can learn about the battle through powerful videos and exhibits.
13. Yoro Falls & Yoro Park | A Park of Filial Piety Legends and Art
A famous waterfall with a legend of a “filial son who brought back spring water for his father, only to find it had turned into sake.” It is also selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls. The surrounding area is developed as Yoro Park, and the “Site of Reversible Destiny,” dotted with eccentric art installations, is also a unique and popular spot.
14. Tsukechi Gorge | Emerald Green Mountain Stream
A nature-rich gorge selected as one of Japan’s 100 Best Forests for Forest Bathing. The river water is incredibly clear and shines emerald green. The contrast between the fiery reds and yellows of the autumn leaves and the clear stream is particularly stunning during the fall foliage season.
15. Hida Great Limestone Cave | Japan’s Highest Tourist Limestone Cave
Located at an altitude of 900 meters, this is the highest tourist limestone cave in Japan. The average temperature inside the cave is about 10°C throughout the year, feeling cool in summer and warm in winter. You will be overwhelmed by the mystical beauty of the formations created by nature over tens of thousands of years.
Summary
Gifu Prefecture is full of tourist destinations with completely different charms in each area. From the stunning views of World Heritage sites and historic townscapes to untouched nature, you are sure to find a place that piques your interest. Please use this article as a reference to plan a wonderful trip to Gifu!
A one-day trip to Shirakawago to visit Gujo Hachiman and Hida Takayama (departing from Nagoya)
