Explore Gifu: 23 Popular Sightseeing Spots

This theme park was realized by world-famous artist Shusaku Arakawa and his partner, poet Madeline Gins. Visitors can experience a mysterious art space that challenges their sense of balance, featuring the main pavilion 'House of Extreme Resemblance', various shapes of Japan created in a gigantic oval pit, and 148 meandering pathways. Enjoy encountering the unexpected 'wonders' in this space.

In the local dialect of Kanayama-cho, Gero City, 'Kinkotsu' means 'narrow streets intertwined complexly.' With a 'Kinkotsu Guide Map' available at the tourist information center in Hida Kanayama Station, you can explore the streets that resemble a movie set during the 'Kinkotsu Meguri.' Discovering narrow alleyways that are usually off-limits feels like taking a trip back in time.

Located in a picturesque area with stunning views, this outlet mall is designed to evoke the townscape of Colorado, surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains. It features about 180 shops including direct stores from top domestic and international brands, allowing visitors to enjoy shopping at outlet prices year-round. A variety of gourmet restaurants with seasonal menus are also available. Direct buses operate from Nagoya, making it easy to spend a whole day shopping in the beautifully maintained complex.

Takayama Jinya is the only remaining Jinya building in Japan. It served as a government office during the Edo period, where local officials conducted administration. The term 'Jinya' refers to the government office and the residences of the officials, as well as storage facilities. Among the more than 60 such facilities that existed during the late Edo period, Takayama Jinya is the only one where the main buildings remain. It continued to be used as a local government office during the Meiji period and was designated as a national historic site in 1929. A morning market is held in front of Takayama Jinya, so it's recommended to arrive early to enjoy the vibrant market atmosphere.

Miyagawa Morning Market in Takayama has a history dating back to the Edo period. Along the Miyagawa River, numerous small tents are set up, where you can purchase seasonal produce, fruits, and pickles cultivated by local farmers. In addition to seasonal ingredients, enjoy the all-natural "Hida Takayama Pudding," "Koma Coffee" made from over five types of carefully selected and home-roasted beans, and traditional crafts like "Sarubobo." Some items may sell out by around 10 AM, so it's a great idea to wake up early and visit!

Gujo Hachimanjo Castle is the oldest wooden reconstructed castle in Japan. It started with the construction of a fort by Endo Morikazu in 1559. The castle was dismantled during the abolishment of the feudal domains, but it was rebuilt in 1933. Situated at the top of a mountain, the keep offers a view of the Oku-Mino mountain range. Visitors can also enjoy the castle town, including the 'Old Townscape' designated as an Important Traditional Building Preservation Area. The area is beautifully adorned with autumn leaves from early to mid-November.

Known for the legend of the filial son whose sake turned into waterfall water, Yoronotaki Falls is a magnificent waterfall. It drops about 30 meters with a width of about 4 meters among the giant rocks and ancient trees of the Yoro Mountain Range, making it a must-see. The vast Yoro Park, covering about 78.6 hectares around the waterfall, includes a park golf course, tennis courts, and a children’s area, and is famous for the beauty of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. It is one of Japan's top 100 waterfalls, offering changing scenery with the seasons.

Enjoy the beautiful nature of the Japanese Alps in spring, summer, autumn, and winter with this ropeway. From the observation deck at an altitude of 2,156 meters atop the Nishihotakaguchi Station, you can see a panoramic view featured in the Michelin Green Guide Japan with two stars. Be sure to enjoy the foot bath at Shinhotaka Onsen Station and the local gourmet food offerings. It is the only two-story ropeway in Japan, ascending swiftly through the mountains.

The Historic Old Town of Hida Takayama consists of Kamimachi and Shitamachi, which flourished as a castle town and merchant town during the Edo period. This area is recognized as a preservation district for important traditional buildings designated by the Japanese government. Notably, the areas around Kamisan no Machi, Kaminin no Machi, and Kamiyonn no Machi are popular strolling spots, collectively known as 'Sanmachi Street'. Along the streets, you can find shops featuring Mitarashi dumplings and Hida beef delicacies, making it a great place for food walking.

Monet's Pond is an unnamed pond located within the grounds of Nedamigami Shrine in Seki City. The pond features highly transparent spring water adorned with blooming water lilies and colorful koi fish swimming gracefully. The scenery is so beautiful that it resembles Claude Monet's painting 'Water Lilies,' hence its nickname 'Monet's Pond.' It has been introduced on various media, and especially during the early summer when the water lilies bloom, it attracts a large number of photographers, both professional and amateur. Thanks to word-of-mouth, it has become a nationally popular destination.

Opened in 2016, the museum is located in Kasahara-cho, Tajimi City, which has the highest production volume of mosaic tiles in Japan. The building, designed by world-renowned architect Terunobu Fujimori, features a unique exterior inspired by a clay pit where tile materials are excavated. Inside, over 10,000 materials are displayed, including mosaic tile products, sample boards, tools, and fragments of historic buildings. In the reservation-based workshop, visitors can create their own originals by adhering mosaic tiles to small items of their choice. The shop also offers a variety of products, making it perfect for souvenir shopping.

Gero Onsen Gassho Village is an open-air museum located in the famous Gero Onsen area, recognized as one of Japan's top three hot springs. It features a collection of ten traditional gassho-zukuri houses that were relocated from Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The village was established in May 1969, when gassho-zukuri structures were moved from Shirakawa Village and Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture. The venue hosts the 'Gassho-zukuri Performing Arts Hall Shirakagiza', where visitors can enjoy performances by geisha and local traditional arts, offering a glimpse into Japan's rich culture and artistry.

Known affectionately as 'Ochobosan', this Inari shrine is said to bring prosperity in business and safety in the home. Many worshippers visit during the 'Tsukigoshi Mairi' from the end of each month to the 1st of the next month, causing the area in front of the worship hall to be extremely crowded from early morning until dawn. The approach to the shrine features about 120 shops offering local delicacies such as grilled catfish and skewered cutlets from the Kiso Three Rivers area, making it a great place to enjoy 'Ochobo Gourmet' food strolls.

A post town on the Nakasendo route where many people traveled during the Edo period for alternate attendance. Historical buildings from that time still exist along the stone-paved sloped roads. Highlights include the Fujimura Memorial Hall, the former residence of poet Tokutomi Roka, and a watermill, as well as retro-style inns, cafes, and souvenir shops. A hiking course of about 8 kilometers to the neighboring Tsumago-juku in Nagano Prefecture is also available. Experience a nostalgic walk in this southernmost post town of Kiso!

One of the largest freshwater fish aquariums in the world. With the theme 'From the source to the mouth of the Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture and the world's freshwater fish,' the aquarium features exhibits that recreate natural environments, showcasing everything from familiar creatures to the giant freshwater fish of the world. Highlights include the Mekong giant catfish, the largest catfish in the world, and the massive arapaima from the Amazon River.

The Miyama Caves is a vertical-type limestone cave with a total length of over 2,000 meters, showcasing the majestic beauty created by natural forces over 250 million years. Designated as a natural monument of Gujo City, it offers a close encounter with untouched nature. Inside, the temperature remains a comfortable 13-14 degrees Celsius year-round, providing a cool environment in summer and warmth in winter. In addition to the approximately 800-meter long tourist cave, there is also an exploration cave with no lighting. Visitors can enjoy an exhilarating cave exploration experience while wearing special helmets, suits, and boots, feeling like the protagonist of an adventure movie.

Hida no Sato is a recreation of traditional Hida-style houses, including Gassho-zukuri. Inside the houses, various demonstration events and hands-on workshops are held throughout the seasons, including straw work, chidorigata, and sashiko crafts. Be sure to also visit the 'Omoide Taikenkan' located right next to the 'Hida no Sato' bus stop, where you can experience making Sarubobo dolls and baking rice crackers without a reservation.

Surrounded by magnificent nature, Shirakawa-go is home to over 100 gassho-zukuri (thatched-roof) houses that have existed for centuries in one of Japan's heaviest snowfall areas. It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995 and is the largest gassho settlement in the country. Residents still live here today, and several facilities, including the important cultural property Wada House, are open for interior tours. A magical illumination event of the gassho settlement is also held during the snowfall season from mid-January to early February.

The Gifu World Rose Garden is one of the largest rose gardens in the world, featuring the highest number of rose varieties in Japan with 7,000 types and 30,000 plants. The garden encompasses two main areas: 'World Rose Garden' and 'Rose Theme Garden'. Visitors can enjoy a large greenhouse called 'Flower Earth Hall', a 45m tall observation tower 'Flower Tower', and the outdoor event hall 'Princess Hall Miyabi'. In April 2021, new large playground equipment was added, and the rose garden continues to enhance its features. There are many photography spots available, and changing rooms are provided for those who bring cosplay costumes.

Enakyo is a man-made lake formed by damming the Kiso River at the Oi Dam, named by geographer Jutaro Shiga in 1920. The shores feature many scenic spots, including Shishi Rock and Byoubu Rock, and panoramic cruises on sightseeing boats are popular. The 'Sazanami Park' on the right bank of the dam lake has walking paths, allowing visitors to enjoy seasonal views of cherry blossoms, wisteria, and azaleas. There are also many nearby attractions, such as Enakyo Wonderland!

Gujo Hachiman, located in Gifu Prefecture, is famous for the Gujo Odori festival, which has a history of 420 years and takes place during the summer. It is also referred to as 'Little Kyoto of Oku-Mino'. The area is characterized by its historical streets, the waterways flowing along the eaves of old houses, and 13 temples strategically placed at street corners, all of which have been designated as an Important Traditional Building Group. The charming atmosphere of the town feels like a time slip experience, making it enjoyable just to walk around, and there are also accessible hot spring facilities to enjoy.

Gujo Hachiman is known as one of the cleanest water towns in Japan. Among the many water-related spots, the most famous is 'Sougisui'. It is a historical site where the poet Sougi is said to have quenched his thirst with this spring water and composed a poem upon returning to Kyoto after completing the ancient teachings in 1471. In 1985, it was selected as one of the first 100 famous waters in Japan by the Environmental Agency.

Situated atop Mount Kinka, Gifu Castle is a symbol of Gifu accessible by ropeway. During the Sengoku period, it was the stronghold of Saito Dosan, and later, Oda Nobunaga made it his base for unifying the nation. The current castle was reconstructed in 1956 and is a three-story, four-floor structure made of reinforced concrete, featuring a historical exhibition room and an observation deck. It is beautifully illuminated from sunset to 11 PM, offering a panoramic view of the Nagara River and the city from an elevation of 329 meters.