Geography
Gifu Prefecture is located in the central part of Honshu Island in the Chubu region and has no access to the sea. The capital of the prefecture is the city of the same name. Despite its relatively small area, the climate here varies from humid continental in the north to subtropical in the south.
History
The Gifu area has historically been at the crossroads of Japan, connecting north to south and west to east. The prefecture is called “the crossroads of Japan.” In the old days there was a saying: “who controls Gifu controls Japan.” The territory where Gifu Prefecture is now located became part of the Yamato state in the middle of the third century AD. Also, since ancient times, Gifu has been famous as a center of blacksmithing and especially the production of swords. Shortly before the beginning of the Edo period, in the sixteenth century, the territory of Gifu belonged to the famous samurai Oda Nobunaga, who made a lot of efforts to unify Japan.
Culture, attractions
and entertainment
One of the main attractions of the city of Gifu is its mountain castle, which was considered inaccessible in the Middle Ages. A cable car leads to the top of the mountain where the castle is located. From Gifu Station to the start of the cable car, the shuttle bus takes about 15 minutes.
Yoru Park, which translates as “Inverted World,” is considered a completely unique place. It was designed by the famous designer Shusaku Arakawa. There is not a single straight line in it, so at some point the sense of reality is lost: when entering the room, the entrance changes its shape, the head begins to spin and the sense of distance and space is lost. Another attraction of the park is a 32-meter-high waterfall; it is one of the 100 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan, and its water, according to local legends, is considered healing.
Gifu Prefecture is also famous for its unique cormorant fishing. This ancient tradition dates back to the thirteenth century. In Japan, cormorants are considered a national natural treasure. The most popular place to watch this kind of fishing is the Nagara River. The birds are specially trained to search for and catch fish of the “ukai” breed in the water. To control the birds, their throats are tied. Thus, the cormorants are unable to swallow their catch and then, returning on board the boat, give it away to the fishermen. Even the emperor and his family members periodically visit this unusual spectacle. The cormorant fishing season lasts from May 11 to October 15.
Gifu is also famous for its hot thermal springs - onsens. The history of some resorts goes back thirteen centuries. Staying in traditional inns, swimming in onsen and tasting local cuisine are very popular here among Japanese residents from other prefectures.
To get to Gifu, you must first travel to Nagoya (about 110 minutes on the Shinkansen Super Express), and then transfer to the JR Tokaido Express, the journey time is 18 minutes.
Top