Kawaramachi

Take a bus from JR or Meitetsu Gifu Station bound for Gifu Park, the Nagarabashi Bridge/Takatomi area, or the City Loop Line counterclockwise route; get off at the Nagarabashi Bridge bus stop; and walk five minutes. A long, narrow townscape consisting of rows of old-fashioned Japanese homes which extends west from the cormorant fishing spectator boat boarding area at the south end of the Nagara Bridge. Here you’ll find shops selling colorful Gifu uchiwa hand fans, a local traditional handicraft; as well as ayugashi sweetfish-shaped cakes, in addition to restaurants, boutiques, and stylish cafes operating out of remodeled old townhomes and storehouses standing eave to leave. The area is also designated a part of Gifu Prefecture’s “Brand New Treasure” tourism promotion initiative. Be sure to explore the area before going to watch cormorant fishing.