Gifu

Travel Guide

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Top Things to do

• Shirakawa-go Gassho-zukuri Village

  4.5

  2154 Reviews

  Gifu Ono-gun Shirakawamura Ogimachi

  The Gassho-Zukuri Village of Ogimachi, Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture was registered as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1995. Of the three villages registered as the World Heritage Site, this is the largest, with 59 buildings featuring Gassho-zukuri roofs. There is plenty worth getting a look at, from the castle tower observation deck as an absolutely perfect viewpoint of Shirakawa-go to the Wada house, which is a Nationally-Designated Important Cultural Property, the Nagase house, which features one of the largest Gassho-style roofs in the village, a rare Gassho-style temple, and Myozenji Museum. There are also numerous souvenir shops and restaurants.

• Shinhotaka Ropeway

  4.5

  985 Reviews

  Takayama-shi, Gifu Prefecture Okuhida Onsenkyo Shin-Hotaka

  The Shinhotaka Ropeway is an aerial lift transport system linking Shin-Hotaka Onsen Station with Nishihotakaguchi Station in the Oku-Hida Onsen (Hot Springs) District of Gifu Prefecture. The Ropeway comprises two sections: the No. 1 Ropeway and No. 2 Ropeway. By traveling on both sections in succession, visitors can reach the top of the mountain. The No. 2 Ropeway is the only aerial lift system in Japan to feature double-decker gondolas; passengers can enjoy the sensation of “strolling in the air” at an altitude of over 2,000 meters above sea-level while looking out at the magnificent scenery below. The roof observation deck at the mountain-top Nishihotakaguchi Station offers an almost 360-degree panoramic view of the mountains of Japan’s Northern Alps; this view was awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide to Japan.

• Takayama Jinya

  4.0

  1096 Reviews

  Gifu Pref. Takayamashi Hachikenmachi 1-5

  Takayama Jinya was where prefectural governors and deputies exercised government since Hida was put under direct control of the Shogunate in 1692. The purpose of direct jurisdiction was access to the abundant timber and underground resources. After the Meiji Restoration, this building was also used as the Takayama prefectural government building. In order to conserve Takayama Jinya, 16 years of repair and reconstruction work were undertaken and were completed in 1996. There were 60 regional headquarters and sub-headquarters nationwide at the end of the Edo period, but the Takayama Jinya is the only building left in existence today. Takayama Jinya has been certified with two stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japan.

• Shirakawa-go

  4.5

  31 Reviews

  Gifu Pref. Onogunshirakawamura Ogimachi

  A village located in Ogi-machi, Shirakawa Village, Ono County, Gifu Prefecture where many old-fashioned “gassho-zukuri” style homes, distinguished by their steep thatched roofs, can still be found. Still used as living spaces today, this rare collection of buildings has been designated a National Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the picturesque scenery of these traditional homes backed by mountains in the distance, visitors can catch a glimpse of the lifestyle and ingenious measures of a Japanese mountain village living in harmony with nature. There are also numerous souvenir shops and restaurants, and this popular destination is visited by great numbers of people from around the country and the world.

• Maruaki Hida-Takayama Store

  4.5

  658 Reviews

  Gifu Pref. Takayamashi Tenmanmachi 6-8

  This yakiniku barbecue store directly operated by a butcher shop is located in the Tenman Town, Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. They mainly offer Hida beef, a brand of beef from Gifu Prefecture. You can not only enjoy the beef as yakiniku, but also as shabu-shabu and sukiyaki. You can also compare different cuts of meat such as diced steak, sirloin steak and boneless short rib with their large plate of select Hida beef yakiniku. In addition, the store allows you to experience Hida’s deluxe local cuisine of beef grilled on top of dried magnolia leaves topped with homemade miso.

• Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall

  4.0

  616 Reviews

  Gifu Pref. Takayamashi Sakuramachi 178

  The Takayama Festival is one of Japan’s three great Hikiyama Festivals and registered a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. This hall has a standing exhibit of yatai, the gorgeous floats that are the festival’s main attraction. It’s on the precincts of Sakurayama Hachimangu Shrine, at the center of the festival action. Four of the 11 yatai used in the fall’s Takayama Festival are on display, and they change them annually in March, July, and November. They also maintain a TV room where you can watch a video of the festival, as well as a reference area with festival paraphernalia and documents. It’s a great way to learn about the festival’s history and happenings in detail.

• Gero Onsen Gassho-Mura

  4.0

  358 Reviews

  Gifu Pref. Geroshi Mori 2369

  Gero Onsen Gassho-Mura is an outdoor museum featuring a collection of traditional gassho-style thatched farmhouses that have been moved to the site from areas such as Shirakawa-go. There is also the Kage-e Geki Shirasagi-za shadow puppet theatre, displays about traditional folk customs, and workshops where visitors can try their hand at craft activities, etc.; at Gero Onsen Gassho-Mura, visitors can get a real feel for how people used to live in the Hida region. Visitors can also enjoy the “Gassho no Ashiyu” footbath, which uses water from the Gero Onsen hot springs (one of the top three ranked hot springs systems in Japan).

• Gujo Hachiman Castle

  4.0

  284 Reviews

  Gifu Pref. Gujoushi Hachimanchouyanagimachi One flat 659

  Gujo Hachiman Castle is Japan’s oldest castle reconstructed out of wood. Building of the fort began in 1559 by Endo Morikazu and by 1667 the shogunate government recognized it as a castle. In 1933 the current castle tower was rebuilt with reference to Ogaki Castle at that time. The sight of the castle appearing to float in the morning mist is a spectacle to behold and is why the castle is also known as the castle in the sky. The four layered wooden castle tower with five floors has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Gujo City.

• Gasshozukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum

  4.5

  416 Reviews

  Gifu Pref. Onogunshirakawamura Ogimachi 2499

  Gasshozukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum is an open-air museum that was created by relocating traditional Gasshozukuri-style farmhouses that were no longer in use as residences from Shirakawa Village, Gifu Prefecture. There are a total of 26 Gasshozukuri farmhouses, of which nine have been designated by Gifu Prefecture as Important Cultural Properties; the Museum brings alive the lifestyle of days gone by. Within the Museum grounds there is a restaurant selling hand-made Soba noodles, and a shop selling confectionery, making the Museum a great place for a relaxing stroll. Between mid-April and the end of October the Museum holds a range of special experiential activities, where visitors can try their hand at making Warazori (traditional straw sandals), making Soba noodles, etc. (please note that advance booking is required for these activities).