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Chubu region - Gifu
Antique houses registered as a cultural heritage - Time-honored cormorant
fishing and the gorgeous Takayama festival
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Located in the center of Honshu, with more than four fifths of
its total area occupied by woods and forests, Gifu spreads out from
the high mountain district of Hida down to the flat Nobi Plains
downstream of the Kiso-sansen (three rivers) with a distinct gradient.
Hida mountains with their peaks rising as high as 3,000 meters
above the sea belong to Chubu-Sangaku National Park. The Ryohaku
mountainous district with a vast forest of Japanese beech and alpine
plants is part of Hakusan National Park.
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Shirakawa-go at the foot of Mt. Hakusan is a must to take in, where
antique steep rafter-roofed houses registered as a cultural heritage of
the world stand side by side.
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Gifu abounds with places of natural beauty, like Ena-kyo
valley dotted with rocks and stones of fantastic shapes and the
Gero hot springs dating back to about the 10th century as a popular
watering place.
Another thing you cannot miss in Gifu is the traditional
Ukai, or fishing with cormorants, dating from about 1,300 years
ago. The event takes place on Nagara-gawa River at various times
between spring and fall.
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Sekigahara is renowned as the theater of the showdown in 1600 that led
Tokugawa Ieyasu, a famous warlord, to bring the whole country under his
rule. Hida Takayama, where you can see alleys lined with old stores and
houses, is known for the gorgeous Takayama-matsuri Festival. Every summer,
Gujyohachiman becomes the stage of Guyjo dance that continues for 30 consecutive
nights. Gifu softens the visitors to Gifu with its tranquil scenery and
fascinates them with its traditional splendid festivals.
Getting to Gifu
About 1 hour 40 minutes from Nagoya Station to Tokyo Station by JR Tokaido
Shinkansen Line; about 20 minutes from Nagoya Station to Gifu Station
by JR Tokaido Line. About 37 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station to Maibara
Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line; about 40 minutes from Maibara Station
to Gifu Station by JR Tokaido Line.
previous: Chubu Region
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