Antique houses registered as a cultural heritage. Cormorant fishing, native dancing and the gorgeous Takayama-matsuri Festival.

Located in the center of Honshu, with more than 80% 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 from the Kiso-sansen (three rivers) with a distinct gradient. The Hida Mountain Range, with their peaks rising as high as 3,000 meters above sea level, are part of Chubu-Sangaku National Park. The Ryohaku Mountains, with a vast forest of Japanese beech and alpine plants, are part of Haku-san National Park. Shirakawa-go, at the foot of Mt. Haku-san, is a must-see, where traditional steep rafter-roofed houses, registered as World Cultural Heritage stand side-by-side.

Gifu abounds with places of natural beauty, such as the Ena Valley, which is dotted with rocks and stones in fantastic shapes, and the Gero-onsen Hot Spring, a popular healingbath that dates back to about the 10th century.

Another thing you cannot miss in Gifu is the traditional Ukai, or fishing with cormorants, which began about 1,300 years ago. The event takes place on the Nagara-gawa River at various times between the spring and the fall.

Sekigahara is renowned as the site of the battle in 1600 that led the famous warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu 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, Gujo Hachiman becomes the stage for the Gujo-odori Dance, which continues for 32 consecutive nights. Visitors can relax in Gifu's tranquil scenery and be fascinated by its traditional festivals..

The Ena Valley is located in the eastern part of Gifu, stretching from the artificial lake where Oi Dam dams the Kiso-gawa River to the upper stream of the Nakatsu-gawa River. The valley has precipitous cliffs with many unusually shaped stones and rocks that were created by erosion. "Kasa-iwa" is a rare rock that looks as if it is piercing the land, and has been designated a natural monument. "Beni-iwa," covered entirely by a reddish brown moss, is another special rock that represents the valley. The Ena Valley is also popular for its scenery with cherry, azalea, and autumn leaves looking even more attractive with the huge rocks.
The Ena Valley can also be seen and enjoyed on board from the sightseeing boats on the river and from the Enakyo Ropeway (gondola). On the north bank of Ena Valley, there is an amusement park called Enakyo Wonderland, where you can enjoy 40 different attractions including a big Ferris wheel from which you can have a 360-degree view of the Ena Valley and the Southern Japanese Alps.
To the south of the Ena Valley runs the Nakasen-do Highway connecting Edo (today's Tokyo) and Kyoto. The area from Magome-juku to Ochiai-juku is called Jikkyoku-toge Pass. This stone-paved, dark, quiet old highway running through a dense hinoki (Japanese cypress) wood remains just as it used to be in the 17th to 19th centuries.

One of the three best hot springs in Japan. Amateur Kabuki performances are held in the spring and fall.

The Gero-onsen Hot Spring in rich nature, located in the center part of Honshu, has been known as a healing hot spring since the 10th century and has welcomed a number of visitors. It is considered one of the three best hot springs in Japan, and is effective for treating rheumatism, impaired motor function, and nervous disease and relieving fatigue. The hot spring is also nicknamed the "Hot Spring for the Beauty," because of the smooth touch of water. Footbaths are spotted in the town, which you can enjoy while strolling, free of charge.

Amateur Kabuki performances are held in the spring by the Ho-o-za Troupe and in the fall by the Haku-un-za Troupe. This is a hundred-year-old performing art peculiar to the local farming villages, while the Haku-un-za stage has been designated a tangible national folklore cultural asset. In mid-summer, the Gero-onsen-matsuri Festival is held for three days, where you can enjoy watching the fire festival with five dragons vigorously strolling, a portable shrine carried by women 'geisha,' as well as a samba parade. The festival ends with fireworks.