Gifu Station (岐阜駅 Gifu-eki) is a railway station in the heart of the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, operated by Central Japan Railway Company (JR Central). It is served by the JR Central Tōkaidō Main Line. It is also the terminal station for the Takayama Main Line. Along with Nishi-Gifu Station and Nagamori Station, it is one of the three JR Central stations in the city of Gifu.

The station consists of three elevated island platforms serving six tracks for the Tōkaidō Main Line and Takayama Main Line, with the station building underneath. The station has a Midori no Madoguchi staffed ticket office. In fiscal 2016, the station was used by an average of 31,742 passengers daily (boarding passengers only).

Open daily

058-262-5151

First built in the year 85, Inaba Shrine has a history of over 1900 years. Though it was originally located on Maruyama, to the north of Mount Kinka, it was moved to its present location by Saitō Dōsan in 1539.

Inaba Jinja Shrine is Gifu’s oldest and most famous Shinto shrine. It is located at the base of Mount Kinka about a 10 minute walk from Gifu Park. Inaba Jinja is a popular spot in spring for the cherry blossoms with the road leading up to the shrine (Inaba-dori) lined on both sides by weeping cherry blossoms (shidare-zakura).

The god Inishiki-Irihiko-no-mikoto is enshrined and worshipped at Inaba Shrine. He is the husband of the goddess Nunoshihime-no-mikoto enshrined at Kogane Shrine and the father of the god Ichihaya-no-mikoto enshrined at Kashimori Shrine. Because of the connection between the three gods, these three shrines have a very close relationship.

It is the main shrine that is celebrated by the city of Gifu in its annual Gifu Festival on the first Saturday of each April. Because of its size, it is a popular spot for hatsumōde and Shichi-Go-San.

Open daily 24/7

058-264-2760

The Great Buddha of Gifu in Shohoji Temple is one of the “Three Great Buddha’s” of Japan along with the Great Buddha’s of Kamakura and Todaiji in Nara. It is a very unique statue as it is a dry lacquer Buddha molded from wood, bamboo and clay, and covered in Japanese washi paper with sutras. It is finished in gold leaf and is the largest Buddha in Japan made by this technique.

Small parking lot next to the temple.

Open Daily.

058-265-0010

The Gifu City Museum of History provides a place for citizens to appreciate, learn and study the history and culture of their hometown of Gifu, and to preserve documents and to contribute to the development of a rich cultural community. The museum takes as its main theme the history of Mt. Kinka and the culture of the Nagara River basin. It exhibits a wide range of material concerning the history of Gifu City, its politics, economy, society and culture.

Open Daily 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Mondays.

058-262-6784

The Mt. Kinka Ropeway takes you from Gifu Park to the top of Mt. Kinka in 4 minutes. During the ride, you can enjoy the dynamic primeval forests covering Mt. Kinka, the beautiful Nagara River, and the cityscape of Gifu.

Located on the top of the mountain are a shop and a viewing restaurant, as well as a Squirrel Village where you can play with squirrels. For a limited period in summer, the ropeway runs until nighttime for panorama night viewers.

It is necessary to take the ropeway to visit Gifu Castle and the Gifu Castle Museum.

Open daily 09:00 - 17:00

058-263-4853

Gifu Castle was once called Inabayama Castle, and it was also the residence of Michizo Saito during the Sengoku period. The name of the castle was first shown in the world in 1567. At the same time, the name of the place was changed from “Inoguchi” to “Gifu” and became the home of the unification of the world.

The current castle was reconstructed in July 1948 by the Gifu Castle Reconstruction Alliance. The castle is a historical material exhibition room, and the tower is popular as an observation deck. In addition, the Kinkazan area has been designated as a National Historic Site in 2011 as a “Gifu Castle Ruins”.

Gifu Castle is one of the highest castles currently built (altitude 329 meters). From the top floor, the clear stream Nagara River, famous for sharks, runs through the city, and in the east is Enayama. Mt. Kiso, Mt. Mitake, is magnificent, with Norikura and Japan Alps in the north. In addition, Ibuki, Yoro, and Suzuka mountain systems are lined up in the west, and the Noo plains abound in the south, so you can enjoy a panoramic view of the flow of Kiso.

Accessible via the Mt. Kinka Ropeway.

Open daily 09:30 – 17:30

058-263-4853

The Gifu Castle Museum is just east of Gifu Castle. The old armory and food storage were rebuilt in Sumiyo Castle in April 1975, and materials related to Gifu Castle are displayed inside.

Accessible via the Mt. Kinka Ropeway.

Open daily 09:30 – 17:30

Kawamachi Town is a spot where you can soak up some of the atmosphere of old Gifu. Located a short walk from Gifu Castle/Gifu Park, it is like entering a different period of time with traditional wooden buildings and lattice doors. The traditional neighborhood contains many historical buildings dating from the Edo/Meiji period of Japan.

Here you can find traditional local crafts such as Gifu Shibu Uchiwa (fans), Gifu Wagasa (Japanese umbrellas) and Gifu Chochin (paper lanterns) made with Mino washi paper, as well as traditional Japanese sweets shops and restaurants. It is a great place to pick up a souvenir or two from your visit.

Open 24/7

058-210-1555

The Nagara River Ukai Museum introduces information about "Ukai" - cormorant fishing on the Nagara River which is the major tradition and culture representing Gifu City. Though "Ukai on the Nagara River" is held annually in the limited period from May 11th to Oct. 15th, this museum perpetuates its attraction during the off-season as well.

"Ukai on the Nagara River" is a cultural resource that Gifu City is proud of. It was born of rich nature brought by the crystal clear Nagara River and of the people’s living that has been passed down for over 1300 years. Today, as we are asked to live together with nature, the "Ukai on the Nagara River" is getting more valuable to show a desirable relation between nature and humans. This cultural tradition interests more people living not only in Gifu but also in Japan and abroad in this period. This museum is operated as a base to transmit the Nagara River Ukai tradition and its mission is to pass down the cultural tradition and to promote tourism.

Open daily

058-262-0104

Ukai is a traditional night fishing method in which an usho (Cormorant Fishing Master) and u (cormorant birds) work together to fish by the flames of Kagari-bi (fishing fire lanterns) reflecting on the dark surface of the river, with Mt Kinka and lofty Gifu Castle on its summit providing a dramatic backdrop to the scene.

Cormorant fishing has about 1,300 years of history, and has traditionally been protected by both local and national authorities. It is said that the Sengoku ("Warring States Period") general Oda Nobunaga took the Ukai fishermen under his official patronage and created for them the official position and title of usho (Cormorant Fishing Master). The Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, who established the national Edo Shogunate (1603-1868) government, often enjoyed watching Ukai when visiting Gifu, and also gave his patronage and protection to the fishermen. He loved ayu-zushi (sushi with wild sweetfish) made in Gifu and ordered it to be brought to Edo city (modern day Tokyo).

Most evenings from about 17:30 - 20:30, from May 11 through October 15.