This itinerary highlights sights and activities in Gifu City only.

This itinerary covers the Hakusan-Shirakawago White Road, a scenic highway stretching over 24 kilometers (15 miles) through the beautiful Hakusan National Park. There are 7 significant waterfalls and 13 parking areas for observations and hiking trailheads. Estimated driving time, without stops, is about 60 minutes.

This itinerary only covers the road from the Hakusan Nature Conservation Center/Chugu Museum a little west of toll booth at the west end (in Hakusan City in Ishikawa Prefecture) and the toll booth at the east end (in Shirakawago in Gifu Prefecture) as there are many points of interest along this section.

The road is open from 07:00 - 19:00 (meaning the exits close promptly at 19:00) from early June through August. The road is open from 08:00 - 18:00 (meaning the exits close promptly at 18:00) from September through about November 10th (subject to the road being closed due to early snow or landslides). There are 14 locations with emergency telephones, spaced about 2 kilometers apart along the road. Toilet facilities that include Western-style toilets can only be found at the Nakamiya (Chugu) Onsen Nature Center at the west end of the road, and the Rennyo Teahouse near the east end of the road. Not all stops/parking areas have any restrooms so do try to plan ahead.

The toll for a one-way drive is currently JPY1,400-1,600 (about US$12-16) per passenger car. Cash only. No credit cards accepted (no telephone signal in most places along the route).

Notes: Night parking or camping is prohibited. Visitors must not collect plants or animals as this is a national park. Take any litter out of the park with you. Pedestrians and two-wheeled vehicles (bicycles and motorcycles) are not allowed to enter the road. The road is normally closed in the winter from about November 10th through early June (check the website for specific opening and closing dates each year).

See the above website for more information.

This itinerary covers the Hakusan-Shirakawago White Road, a scenic, two-lane highway stretching over 33.3 kilometers (21 miles), 24.5 kilometers (15 miles) of which are toll-road, through the beautiful Hakusan National Park. There are 7 significant waterfalls and 13 parking areas for observations and hiking trailheads. Estimated driving time, without stops, is about 60 minutes.

This itinerary only covers the road from the toll booth at the east end (in Shirakawago in Gifu Prefecture) to the Hakusan Nature Conservation Center/Nakamiya (Chugu) Museum a little west of the toll booth at the west end (in Hakusan City in Ishikawa Prefecture) as there are many points of interest along this section.

The road is open from 07:00 - 19:00 (meaning the exits close promptly at 19:00) from early June through August. The road is open from 08:00 - 18:00 (meaning the exits close promptly at 18:00) from September through about November 10th (subject to the road being closed due to early snow or landslides). There are 14 locations with emergency telephones, spaced about 2 kilometers apart along the road. Toilet facilities that include Western-style toilets can only be found at the Rennyo Teahouse near the east end of the road and the Nakamiya (Chugu) Onsen Nature Center at the west end of the road. Not all stops/parking areas have any restrooms so do try to plan ahead.

The toll for a one-way drive is currently JPY1,400-1,600 (about US$12-16) per passenger car. Cash only. No credit cards accepted (no telephone signal in most places along the route).

Notes: Night parking or camping is prohibited. Visitors must not collect plants or animals as this is a national park. Take any litter out of the park with you. Pedestrians and two-wheeled vehicles (bicycles and motorcycles) are not allowed to enter the road. The road is normally closed in the winter from about November 10th through early June (check the website for specific opening and closing dates each year).

See the above website for more information.

The accommodations listed in this itinerary are noteworthy for a variety of reasons. The order is only that of a circle to display them easily on the map. Some are outstanding deluxe properties, while others offer the simplicity of a temple stay, or a farm stay, but all provide unique insights into the local culture of Gifu Prefecture. We apologize if we have left any other noteworthy accommodations off this list. Please feel free to email us (info at drivejapan dot info) any suggestions for additions.

SItes related to the historic Battle of Sekigahara in 1600.

The Battle of Sekigahara was a decisive battle on October 21, 1600, that preceded the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate (also called the Edo Period, 1600-1868). Tokugawa Ieyasu (who led the Eastern forces battling the Western forces) took three more years to consolidate his position of power over the Toyotomi clan and the various daimyō, but Sekigahara is widely considered to be the unofficial beginning of the Tokugawa shogunate, the last shogunate to control Japan. The shogunate lasted over 250 years and was a period of relative peace after centuries of almost continual warfare between the many warlords.

Its historic importance is compared to other battles such as Waterloo, Gettysburg, Stalingrad, and Hastings as changing the course of history.

In addition to the Gifu Prefecture website about the battle indicated above, Wikipedia also has an extensive description of the battle and its consequences. There are also many books and articles available in multiple languages about this historic battle.

This itinerary visits sites associated with Sugihara Chiune (杉原 千畝,, Jan. 1, 1900 – Jul 31, 1986), the famous Japanese diplomat who, as the Vice-Consul in Kaunas, Lithuania at the beginning of WWII issued over 2,000 transit visas to mostly Polish Jews fleeing Europe, thus saving thousands as each visa was valid for an entire family. In 1985, the State of Israel honored Sugihara as one of the Righteous Among the Nations (Hebrew: חסידי אומות העולם) for his actions. He is the only Japanese national to have been so honored.

Given the total time and distance involved in this itinerary it is suggested that one break up the trip into two parts. The first part including only the Waseda and Kamakura stops, and the second part covering the rest of the stops. If convenient one could do part one, then take a train to Gifu City and rent a car there for the second part of the itinerary.

Mori Hachiman Shrine hosts a Heian era style festival (Hanagasa Matsuri) on February 14th every year when people of the town dance wearing hats decorated with colored paper.

The annual Fall Takayama Festival (also called Hachiman Festival) held after the crops are harvested on October 9 and 10 each year. The festival features huge wheeled floats (yatai) which are pulled around the city by kimono wearing men. Each district of the town has its own float. At the top of each float are detailed marionettes which move. These puppet shows are registered as a Japanese cultural asset. The festival happens in the evenings, usually with up to 100 lighted lanterns on them, providing a spectacular view. During the daytime the floats are on display in their respective "garages'. The floats date from the 17th century.

The annual Spring Takayama Festival (also called Sanno Festival) is held to pray for a good harvest on April 14 and 15 each year. The festival features huge wheeled floats (yatai) which are pulled around the city by kimono wearing men. Each district of the town has its own float. At the top of each float are detailed marionettes which move. These puppet shows are registered as a Japanese cultural asset. The festival happens in the evenings, usually with up to 100 lighted lanterns on them, providing a spectacular view. During the daytime the floats are on display in their respective "garages'. The floats date from the 17th century.