Culture / Tour Spots in Gifu Area

  • Takayama Festival Floats Exhibition Hall
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    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
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    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
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    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...

  • Takayama Showa Museum
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    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...

  • Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum
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    4.0
    113 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Kakamigahara-shi Shimogiricho 5-1

    A somewhat out of the way location. With GPS it was found. The aircraft examples inside are remarkable. The information is quite interesting. I found the space section to be very good. I can’t say...

  • Gifu World Rose Garden (Flower Festival Memorial Park)
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    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...

  • Gero Museum of Hot Springs
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    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...

  • Gifu City Museum of History
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    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...

  • Hikaru Museum
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    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...

  • Gujo-Hachiman Hakurankan
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    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...

  • Kusakabe Folk Crafts Museum
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    4.0
    77 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Takayama-shi Oshinmachi 1-52

    This is a beautiful building although sparsely furnished it still gives you a sense of life back in the day. We visited in winter so appreciated how cold these places can get! Wouldnt say this was a...

  • Kinkazan Squirrel Village
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    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

  • Stone Museum Hakusekikan
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    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。

  • Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu
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    4.0
    28 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Tajimishi Higashimachi 4-2-5 Within the ceramic park MINO
    This public museum operated by Gifu Prefecture specializes in modern ceramic art. It features a collection of Japanese and international ceramics dating to as early as the 19th century. It is located in Ceramic Park MINO, designed by the architect Arata Isozaki. Ceramic even finds its way into places like the ceiling and outer walls. They put effort into art education and frequently hold a variety of workshops mainly dealing with ceramics. They also hold gallery talks by curators as well as unique regular planned exhibits.

    陶都多治見のセラミックパークMINO内にある美術館です。世界の近現代の陶芸アートが見られ、また1〜2ヶ月サイクルで企画展も入れ替わるようなので良いと思います。建物自体もセンスが感じられますし、年に何度か訪れたいと思います。

  • Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu
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    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...

  • Science World (Gifu Prefectural Advanced Science & Technology Experience Center)
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    4.0
    28 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Mizunami-shi Akiyocho Togari 54
    An interactive, activity-oriented science museum, one of only a few in the country, located a 10-minute drive from the Mizunami Interchange on the Chuo Expressway. The museum has very few exhibits, and instead visitors can deepen their interest and understanding of science while having fun participating in the various experiments and creation events the museum holds. Enjoy a variety of experiments and experiences like the museum's hour long science shows combining images projected on a big screen with experiments performed on a stage, and special workshops where you can enjoy an experiment show conducted right in front of your eyes. The museum also holds public courses through which you can explore science more deeply.

    サイエンスワールドは巨大な科学館です。コロナの影響でイベントは全て中止、開店休業で他に来訪者はおりませんでしたが、理科の実験を観察するようなコーナーがあり、建物が広く開放感が有りました。入口付近に目の錯覚を起こす絵がたくさん有り、同じ長さなのに、どちらかの線が長く見えるようなものですが、観察しました。

  • Shishi Hall (Shishi Kaikan)
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    4.5
    40 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Takayamashi Sakuramachi 53-1
    The Shishi Hall (Shishi Kaikan) is a museum in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture that is dedicated to Karakuri. Karakuri are mechanically-operated moving human figures and models that are displayed on the floats that parade through Takayama during the Takayama Matsuri (Takayama Festival), one of the “Three Great Festivals of Japan”; they are controlled using strings, springs and clockwork, etc. The Shishi Hall’s “Karakuri Performance,” in which visitors are able to see how expertly the Karakuri are operated, was selected as a one-star item in the Michelin Travel Guide. There is also a display of approximately 300 ceremonial “lion heads” from all over Japan; as the only exhibition of its kind in Japan, this lion-head display has been designated as an Important Tangible Folk Cultural Property.

    Amazing exhibition of the floats used during processions which are huge and finely decorated. Well worth a visit

  • Former Imai Family Residence and Mino History Museum
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    4.0
    27 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Minoshi Izumichou 1883
    This is the former residence of the Imai family who were wealthy merchants in what today is Mino City. Originally built in the middle of the Edo Period, it was reportedly expanded in the early Meiji Period. As paper merchants and the head of the village, they were extremely wealthy, and the house was the most splendid in the region. The Meiji Period addition included a three-meter skylight. The courtyard has an elegant suikinkutsu, used to make a special dripping sound, and has been designated as one of the Top 100 Soundscapes of Japan. Mino historic museum is at the back. Its Udatsu Kura has displays on udatsu (old roof ridges) and you can learn about Niwaka (an impromptu comic play) in its Niwaka Kura.

    Very interesting old residence. Beautiful garden and well kept hidden treasure. Will be back again in the future.

  • Magome Wakihonjin Museum
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    3.5
    25 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Gifu Pref. Nakatsugawashi Magome 4253-1
    This is a historical archive in Magome, Nakatsugawa City. The building is a reproduction of Wakihonjin (a residence owned by a local influencer offered as lodgings) Yawataya in Magome-juku which was destroyed in a great fire in 1895 and exhibits archives of household effects of the time and visitors can learn about the culture of the Kisoji district in the Edo period.

    本陣や脇本陣というのは、江戸時代、身分の高い人たちのお宿だったところです。 馬籠宿の脇本陣は、明治28年の馬籠宿の大火で建物は消失しました。 この馬籠脇本陣史料館は、当時の脇本陣の一部を復元したものです。建物の雰囲気とともに、当時使用していた家具や什器もたくさん展示されていて、当時の文化も含めて見学することができました。

  • Naito Museum of Pharmaceutical Science and Industry
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    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.

    エーザイが 経営していて 無料で見れる。薬の歴史や こどもたちを 連れて行ったらよい。外は 薬草の畑があり 日常の生活に沿ったものが 見れる。

Gifu Areas

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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.

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