Leisure / Outdoors Spots in Gifu Area

  • Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
    rating-image
    4.0
    621 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    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.

    Interesting exhibition of some of the floats used in April and October. Glad we did it but it only takes 20 minutes to view the floats. You are given headphones which enhances the experience.

  • Takayama Museum of History and Art
    rating-image
    4.0
    160 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Takayamashi Kamichinomachi 75
    The Takayama Museum of History and Art in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture has a collection of around 75,000 items relating to folk traditions, of which 900 are on permanent display. There are 14 display rooms with exhibits focusing on how the castle town developed and the unique culture of its residents; topics covered by the displays include the Takayama Festival, “machiya” (traditional wooden townhouses), the creation of the castle town, famous writers and artists that had a connection to the Takayama area, and the famous monk and Buddhist statue carver Enku, who also had a close connection with the Hida area. The buildings in which the Museum is located were originally warehouses, built from Japanese Cypress wood, belonging to the Nagata family of merchants; they are highly atmospheric. There is no charge for entry to the Museum.

    One of the few attractons open for Covid. I didnt expect much but was greatly surprised at how long I stayed here. I highly recommend. Quite a bit of English.

  • World Freshwater Aquarium
    rating-image
    4.5
    134 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Kakamigaharashi Kawashimakasadamachi 1453
    The World Freshwater Aquarium recreates a natural freshwater environment with a focus on fish found in the Nagara River from its source to the river mouth, and freshwater fish from around the world. The aquarium houses around 220 species of fish and amphibians totaling about 20,000 animals, and about 30 species of aquatic plants with about 2,000 plants in all. The aquarium features the world’s largest river environment learning zone and one of the world’s leading displays on breeding freshwater animals. The whole building is easily accessible for wheelchair users, and there is a restaurant and shops selling original goods. It is also possible to hire out the aquarium and restaurant after closing as a venue for events.

    so many fishes weve never seen, their collection is great also we enjoyed feeding the fishes and you can also touch the huge turtles so definitely the kids will have fun, food trucks outside are...

  • Hirugano Kogen Bokka no Sato
    rating-image
    4.0
    97 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Gifu Pref. Gujoushi Takasuchouwashimi 2756-2
    Hirugano Kogen Bokka-no-sato is a farming theme Park providing visitors with a range of hands-on activities to do with plants and animals. The huge flower field is divided into four gardens and it is strikingly colored with flowers and green throughout the seasons. The farm is home to various animals such as horses, alpacas, sheep and rabbits. Events are held from time to time each season. In the park restaurant and cafe you can enjoy fresh food from Hirugano Highland and local foods from Mino and Hida. There is also a hot-spring where you can enjoy a herbal and outdoor bath.

    Quiet beautiful place. Animal feeding (horses and llamas were so sweet), train rides, delightful bakery on site, set in the Japanese countryside. Gorgeous landscape even without the flowers in full...

  • Takayama Showa Museum
    rating-image
    4.5
    136 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Takayamashi Shimoichinomachi 6
    "Takayama Showakan is an indoor museum with displays that recreate the retro townscape of the late 1950s and early 1960s. It is located near the Yasukawa Intersection along National Route 158, which bisects the entertainment district of the city of Takayama. Aspects of the life and culture of that era are faithfully portrayed, including old-style candy stores and hostess bars. Looking at the actual advertising boards from that era, visitors feel as if they have traveled back in time. Another feature of this museum is that visitors can touch and handle actual artifacts of the period and ride vehicles that are placed along the ""street."" Of course, photography is allowed. Materials concerned with pro wrestling and World War II give visitors a full sense of what life was like back then."

    Dont miss this gem if you are in Takayama. It made our little family of 4 step back in time. You can touch objects, enter recreated rooms and shops and get lost in the past for a bit. If you have...

  • The Site of Reversible Destiny Yoro Park
    rating-image
    3.5
    92 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Yourougunyourouchou Takabayashi 1298-2 In the Yoroko Park
    This theme park is located in Yoro Park of Yoro District, Gifu Prefecture. It is the realization of a plan over 30 years in the making by globally renowned artist Shusaku Arakawa and the poet Madeline Gins. The park interior is formed from two pavilions, the “Kyokugen de Niru Mono no Ie” (House of Extreme Resemblance) and “Daenkei no Fiirudo” (Elliptical Field), which turn it into an expansive art space that offers a mysterious experience you can enjoy directly.

    I had been wanting to visit here for a while and was quite disappointed. Its unique and interesting for sure, but we were really disappointed at how poorly maintained it was. Moss growing on many...

  • Gifu World Rose Garden (Flower Festival Memorial Park)
    rating-image
    4.0
    114 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Kani-shi Seta 1584-1
    This is a theme park focused mainly on roses located in Seta, Kani City in Gifu Prefecture. The park boasts being one of the world largest rose gardens, and is about 17 times larger than Nagoya Dome, and has roughly 300 million rose bushes in 7,000 varieties. Also, there are a variety of facilities where visitors can enjoy different seasonal flowers such as the “Rose Theme Garden” which presents 17 different themes according to each season, the great “World Flowers Greenhouse” and the 45 meters high observation “Flower Tower.” The “Rose Festival” is held in spring and autumn.

    バラやヒマワリ、コスモス等、四季折々の花々を楽しむことが出来る公園です。歩き疲れるくらいの広さでもなく、普通に周遊するだけでも1時間もかけずに回れるため、小さなお子さんや身体に障碍がある方でも充分に楽しめます(園内の至るところにバリアフリーの設備があり、安心して利用できます)。公園内をはっきりと区画割りしているのも特徴的で、それぞれの区画の導線もシンプルであるため、迷うことはまず無いと思います。徒...

  • Hikaru Museum
    rating-image
    4.5
    85 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Takayamashi Nakayamamachi 175
    This museum is in a residential area of Nakayama-machi, Takayama City, bordered by the Kawakami River and National Route 41. Its exterior really stands out. Made of stone, it’s built to look like a Mesoamerican pyramid with a temple atmosphere. It primarily exhibits ancient artifacts and works of art like Japanese paintings, ukiyoe prints, and crafts. There are lots of displays that kids will like, including realistic models of dinosaurs, fossil replicas, and fossils excavated from Hida. Plenty of other items are on display across their expansive site too, which includes a Noh theater and an outdoor exhibition area.

    Visit this place for its amazing architecture. As for what is inside the building, the opinion seems to be divided but its a little bit of everything under the sun from dinosaurs to modern art. There...

  • Art & Festa Forest in TAKAYAMA
    rating-image
    4.0
    74 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Takayamashi Chishimamachi 1111
    This museum dedicated to the Takayama Festival is located a 20-minute drive from Takayama Nishi Interchange on the Tokai Hokuriku Expressway. The museum’s underground dome, which was created by excavating the mountain’s slope, houses a number of exhibits. These include the Heisei Yatai, eight festival floats created from scratch for the first time in 150 years, and interactive marionette exhibit, and the world’s largest taiko drum. Once a year in spring, all of the festival floats are set up in the parking lot, where visitors can enjoy marionette shows performed atop the floats, taiko drum performances, and more. The adjacent Insect Collection of the World features exhibits including specimen of insects from around the world including Japanese Luehdorfia butterflies.

    You can catch the loop bus from the main station-well worth the trip,A large bunker displaying festival floats with mechanical puppets.On the hour each float is activated in turn-really...

  • Kinkazan Squirrel Village
    rating-image
    3.5
    79 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Prefecture Gifu City Kanghwa Mountain peak
    The Kinkazan Squirrel Village preserves the nature around it and is blessed with a sunny, green environment. It was the first squirrel village in Japan at its founding in 1965. You can feed the squirrels by entering the cage, putting on leather gloves and giving food to the tame squirrels. Right next to Kinkazan Ropeway’s Sancho Station.

    Squirrels are forest dwellers.xa0So its certainly NOT OK to keep these wild animals in a small gated area, to be continually handled and touched by humans, pure for money. A DISGRACE

  • Gin No Mori
    rating-image
    3.5
    59 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Enashi Oichou 2711-2
    This forest park at the lush foot of Mt. Ena is a great place for a leisurely stroll and dining on delicious cuisine. It’s located as you reach Enakyo Gorge, about a five-minute drive from Ena Station. It’s bordered by the Agikawa River and strolling on the tree-lined boardwalk will give you a chance to view seasonal flowers. You may even catch sight of a kamoshika, or Japanese serow. The park is dotted with shops and restaurants, including Mikuriya, a cafe that offers Japanese confections made with chestnuts, and Mori-no-Shokutaku, an Italian restaurant. There is a cafe terrace as well, where you can enjoy a delicious, relaxed meal in the midst of nature.

    緑豊かな敷地に料亭やカフェ、洋菓子・和菓子の専門店やショップが点在していて、どちらかと言えば女性の好みそうな雰囲気のところでした。ショップでは栗の焼酎や種類豊富な冷凍ピザやチーズ等購入しましたがいずれも高品質なものでした。

  • Gifu City Museum of History
    rating-image
    4.0
    67 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Gifushi Omiyachou 2-18-1 Gifu Park
    Gifu City Museum of History is a historical museum operated by the city of Gifu, located in Gifu Park at the foot of Mt. Kinka. The museum is divided into four areas: prehistoric to medieval times, the warring states period, the early modern and contemporary periods, and traditional crafts. Since the museum deals with history as it affected Gifu, the warring states area is large, given Gifu's connections with the life of Oda Nobunaga, a major figure of that period. Exhibits are designed to depict his influence on Japanese culture. The museum contains several areas for experiential learning, such as one where visitors can try on traditional armor and come directly in touch with history.

    Our first stop in Gifu, from Nagoya after alighting at from Meitetsu bus. This Museum is just near the Park that leads to ropeway up Mt Kinka. A mid-sized and nice museum, entry 300 Yen Not many...

  • Stone Museum Hakusekikan
    rating-image
    4.0
    35 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Nakatsugawashi Hirukawa 5263-7
    The Stone Museum Hakusekikan is famous for having the largest pyramid in Japan, built from 5,500 tons of Hirukawa granite. The Museum offers a wide range of activities, including precious stone hunting, quarrying experience activities, and craft activities that involve making things by hand. The pyramid is a one-tenth scale replica of the Great Pyramid (the Pyramid of Khufu) in Egypt, with a “burial chamber” inside that houses a sarcophagus containing stones from genuine Egyptian pyramids and other commemorative artifacts. The Stone Museum Hakusekikan is located around 15 minutes’ drive from the Ena Interchange of the Chuo Expressway.

    6歳の男の子連れです。 ピラミッドの中に本格的な巨大迷路があり、とても楽しめます。 写真スポットも多く、 マイクラ好きもあり、多くの知ってる石があったようでかなり喜んでいました。 宝石さがしもとても喜んでいました。 駐車場も広くおすすめです。

  • Gujo-Hachiman Hakurankan
    rating-image
    4.0
    61 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Gujoushi Hachimanchoutonomachi 50
    This museum presents an overview of the town of Gujo-Hachiman. Built in 1920, the former tax office has been renovated and now has a Western-style retro atmosphere. Visitors learn about Gujo-Hachiman in sections with water, history, work, and dance themes. The “Dance Corner has a stage where they hold Gujo-odori dance presentations four times daily. It offers the chance to see one of Japan's Three Major Folk Music Traditions for you.

    All in JP, but its at least easy to see a mini Gujo dance in case you cant see the real thing As a museum, not super exciting at least to me. It was mostly highlighting how important is water and...

  • Nihon Taishomura
    rating-image
    3.5
    38 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Prefecture Ena City Akechi 456
    "Nihon Taisho Mura is a theme park located a five-minute walk from Akechi Station on the Akechi Railway. Volunteers manage and staff the park which is based on the concept of ""Nihon Taisho Mura, streetscapes and customs of the past."" Akechi was once a town full of yarn-making factories, and a streetscape of shops, houses, a library, and a museum from the Taisho period (1912-1926) have been recreated there and contain displays of materials and artifacts pertaining to Taisho culture. Visitors can feel as if they are in a time warp if they take the ""Haikarasan Course,"" in which they dress up in hakama (traditional culotte-style trousers) and roam around the streets in which the atmosphere of the Taisho period remains."

    You come at the end of the Akechi Line and there is nothing. Quiet and dead. There is nothing to do, just old buildings. No animation, and that is a shame because with more activities it could have...

  • Gero Museum of Hot Springs
    rating-image
    4.0
    78 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Geroshi Yunoshima 543-2
    This museum is a ten-minute walk from Gero Station. They present both scientific and cultural perspectives on hot springs around Japan. There are five exhibit areas: Science of Hot Springs, Cultures of Hot Springs, Welcome to Gero Onsen, The Room of Dr. Onsen, and Omoshiro Challenge! Hot Springs! You can actually check the salinity and pH of a hot spring and learn about the history of Gero Onsen through valuable photos, materials, a diorama, and more. Books on hot springs are also available. They have a foot bath you can walk in, too.

    We went up to the museum to try the foot bath and paid the small entrance fee. We didn’t expect the museum itself to be such a highlight but it was. The man working there was so helpful and even...

  • Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu
    rating-image
    4.0
    25 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Gifushi Usa 4-1-22
    An art museum located in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture dedicated to the theme of coming in contact and engaging in a dialogue with beauty. The entire museum building is barrier-free. The spacious, verdant grounds are dotted with sculptures, giving visitors the chance to appreciate art while going for a stroll. The museum has a large collection of pieces by artists born in and connected to Gifu Prefecture as well as by artists from around the world, such as key French symbolist painter Odilon Redon’s Closed Eyes. A 15-minute walk from JR Nishi-Gifu Station.

    以前は岐阜駅前からバスを利用していたが今回は西岐阜駅から歩いてみた。大通りを左に15分進むと美術館の真ん前に出る。館内では企画展はなく地元有志の写真展と同じく地元出身の書家「篠田桃江」の作品が展示されていた。これまでは「ルドン」目的で訪館していたが今回は「桃江」14点の作品観たさに来館した。三越本店で桃江作品と出会い以来長野上田美術館・岡山高梁美術館と彼女の展覧会の追っかけをしてきた。正直展示数1...

  • Utsue Shijuhattaki Falls (Utsue Shijuhattaki Falls Prefectural Nature Park)
    rating-image
    4.0
    33 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Gifu Pref. Takayamashi Kokufuchoutsue
    The collective term for 13 waterfalls located in a nature park a 15 minute drive from JR Hida-Kokufu Station along Prefectural Route 479. The name of the falls is derived from a local tale known as the “Legend of Yosohachi.” A highly secluded area, visitors can enjoy the sight of the 18.8 meter tall Otaki falls and other waterfalls splashing down rocky walls amidst seasonal scenery. This scenery has been selected in a variety of lists of Japan’s most beautiful locations, including the 100 best examples of natural scenery to preserve in the 21st century, Gifu Prefecture’s 50 most beautiful water areas, and the 33 most beautiful locals to enjoy fall foliage in the Hida-Mino area. There is a campground and hot spring bathhouse nearby, and the stone paved path leading to the falls makes it easy even for families with children to enjoy the gorgeous views.

    Wonderful place next to Takayama. Take train to Hida Kokufu station, outside the station take a free bus to the falls. The bus goes up at 10:08 13:38 and 14:40. The bus stop is opposite to a...

  • Naito Museum of Pharmaceutical Science and Industry
    rating-image
    4.5
    32 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Kakamigaharashi Kawashimatakehayamachi 1
    Located 25 minutes away from JR Owari-Ichinomiya Station by taxi, this pharmaceutical museum is inside Eisai’s Kawashima Plant. It runs various exhibits related to pharmaceuticals including the history of medicine and pharmacology. You can also see precious items such as human-powered pharmaceutical production machinery, signboards, advertisements and Meiji period (1868-1912) medicine. Because there are English explanation panels and captions, even foreign tourists can enjoy and learn. In addition, in the temporary exhibition room, they hold special exhibits introducing materials with themes based on what the curators have researched every year. It is a great place not only for adults, but for children’s research projects.

    I love medical museums and visit them whenever I am traveling. This one is devoted to pharmacology in Japan, with a strong focus on the early modern or Edo period. The museum is easily accessible...

  • Mino-Washi Museum
    rating-image
    4.0
    27 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Minoshi Warabi 1851-3
    This museum is located about 20 minutes from the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway Mino Interchange via National Route 156 and Prefectural Route 81. The museum introduces from various perspectives the world of Shisai style paper patchwork, with its traditions and hidden possibilities for the future, and history and techniques of Mino washi traditional Japanese paper passed down in the Mino area. The first exhibition room introduces the production areas of washi paper throughout Japan, history of washi, and papermaking technology. In the second exhibition room, they give concrete suggestions about practical uses of washi paper in everyday living spaces. In addition, you can also have a “papermaking experience” using authentic tools and natural ingredients in the workshop.

    Nice Museum located in Mino City, Gifu Prefecture. But i think it should have more papers and paper exhibits on display. They had very few.

Gifu Areas

around-area-map

Tucked away in the very center of Japan, Gifu prefecture houses mountains, old towns, and one of Japan’s greatest hot springs, Gero Onsen. A tour of the prefecture’s traditional architecture will take you from the mountain-enveloped wooden streets of Takayama to the mountain village of Shirakawago, where visitors can explore 250-year-old thatched roofed houses known as gassho-zukuri.

Gifu Photo Album

Browse Interests