The capital of Gifu Prefecture, Gifu is a city sitting on an alluvial plain with an area of about 203 square kilometres and home to more than 400,000 people.
Because of its central location in the country, it has played a significant part in Japanese history, serving as a base of different powerful feudal lords and samurai during the Sengoku Period or Age of Warring States, which occurred from 1467 to 1603.
During the Edo Period, the city maintained an integral role, acting as a post station along the Nakasendo route, which extended between Kyoto and Tokyo, also passing through the prefectures of Shiga, Nagano, Gunma, and Saitama.
Today, the city offers several traditional and modern attractions that tell its many centuries’ worth of history and culture.
How To Get To Gifu
Access to Gifu is possible by air, rail, and bus.
The Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya is the closest airport to Gifu. It services several domestic and international flights every day, including All Nippon Airways, which offers flights to and from Tokyo, Hakodate, Naha, Sapporo, Asahikawa, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and more; Japan Airlines, which services Tokyo, Sapporo, Bangkok, and Taipei; Jetstar Japan, with flights to and from Kagoshima, Naha, Sapporo, Fukuoka, and Taipei; Singapore Airlines; Vietnam Airlines; Thai Airways; and United Airlines.
From the Chubu Centrair International Airport Station in Nagoya, take the Meitetsu-Limited Express line to Meitetsu-Gifu Station in Gifu. The one-way journey takes approximately an hour.
Two major railway stations are located in downtown Gifu — JR Gifu Station and Meitetsu Station. The JR Gifu Station services the JR Tokaido Main Line and the JR Takayama Main Line. On the other hand, the Meitetsu Station services the Nagoya Line, Kakamigahara Line, and Takehana Line.
Unfortunately, no Shinkansen line runs through Gifu. The closest stations along a Shinkansen line are Gifu-Hashima Station and Nagoya Station, both of which service the JR Tokaido Shinkansen line.
By bus, Gifu is accessible from several cities, including Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. The Japan Bus Online website offers information on ticket prices, timetables, routes, seat reservations, and more.
Top Attractions in Gifu
Gifu Festival and Dosan Festival
Gifu Festival and Dosan Festival are two of Gifu Prefecture’s most important festivals. They are both observed on the first Saturday and Sunday of April, and feature float parades, flea markets, street vendors, and other events.
Both festivals are held in downtown Gifu, a short walk from Gifu Station.
Gifu Castle
Sitting atop the 300-metre high Mount Kinka, Gifu Castle, formerly known as Inabayama Castle, is known for having served as a residence of feudal lord Oda Nobunaga, one of Japan’s most influential military figures.
Constructed during the Kamakura period, between 1185 and 1333, it has undergone numerous renovations and reconstruction through the years. The structure currently standing was rebuilt in 1956, and contains a wide array of exhibits of armour, weapons, tools, musical instruments, and other artefacts from Edo period.
To get to the castle, take a bus from Gifu Station and get off at the Gifukoen-mae stop.
Gifu Park
Home to many of the city’s notable museums, Gifu Park is a famous Gifu landmark that also offers some scenic spots, including wisteria vines, cherry trees, waterfalls, ponds, and gardens.
It is accessible via a short bus ride from Gifu Station or Meitetsu-Gifu Station.
Inaba Shrine, Kashimori Shrine, and Kogane Shrine
Regarded as an important family of shrines, Inaba Shrine, Kashimori Shrine, and Kogane Shrine are some of the city’s top historical and religious spots. Inaba Shrine’s god, Inishiki Irihiko-no-mikoto, and Kogane Shrine’s goddess, Nunoshi Hime-mikoto, are the parents of Kashimori Shrine’s god Ichihaya-no-mikoto.
Inaba Shrine is situated on Mount Kinka’s northern side, Kogane Shrine is located close to Gifu City Culture Center in Kogane Park, and Kashimori Shrine is about 15 to 20 minutes on foot from either Gifu Station or Gifu-Meitetsu Station.
Jyozai-ji Temple
A Japanese Buddhist temple in Gifu recognized as an Important Cultural Property, Jyozai-ji used to be the family temple of three Saito family generations, starting from Saito Dosan, who passed it onto his son Saito Yoshitatsu, and finally to grandson Saito Tokugen.
Completed in the mid-15th century, the temple is about a 10-minute walk away from Gifu Park.
Shohoji Temple
A 17th century Buddhist temple, Shohoji is a part of the Obaku school of Buddhism and an extension of the Mampukuji Temple in Uji. It is best known for a giant Buddha statue that is often compared to the Great Buddha at Todaiji Temple in Nara. It is one of Japan’s three biggest Great Buddha statues, standing at 13.7 metres high.
From either Gifu Station or Gifu-Meitetsu Station, take a bus bound for Nagara, and get off at the Gifu Koen, Rekishi Hakubutsukan-mae stop.
Nagara River
Nagara River is popular for its cormorant fishing. Every summer, it is common for local and foreign tourists to hire excursion boats to take part in the tradition of catching ayu, or Japanese sweet fish, with the use of cormorants.
It is also possible to enjoy this custom even if you are not hiring cormorant fishing boats. Instead, you can view the event from the far bank of Nagara River, with the gorgeous Gifu Castle towering in the background.
Getting Around Gifu
Gifu used to have a streetcar service operated by Meitetsu. However, it was ended in 2005.
Nowadays, different parts of the city can be accessed by a municipal bus service that connects several of the city’s most notable landmarks and attractions.
Touring the city by bicycle is another option, especially now that there is a bicycle rental program in place to boost Gifu’s tourism. Bicycle rental is offered at various points within the city, including Gifu Station, Gifu City Hall, and Gifu Park.
Weather in Gifu
From May to September, Gifu experiences the most rainfall and the highest temperatures (from high 20s to mid 30s degrees Celsius). Once autumn starts, rainy days are still frequent, but temperatures drop to around 15 to 20 degrees. Winter is the driest time of the year, and daily temperatures fall below 10 degrees. In spring, weather is pleasantly cool, with daily temperatures around 10 to 15 degrees, and some rainy days here and there.