Gifu

Gifu is the capital of Gifu Prefecture in central Japan, a compact castle town set along the Nagara River and framed by Mount Kinka. The city grew from a strategic river port and was renamed Gifu by the warlord Oda Nobunaga, who used the area as a base during his unification campaigns in the 16th century.

History remains central to the city's identity. Gifu Castle, rebuilt atop Mount Kinka, looks out over the river and surrounding plains, while the 13.7-metre Gifu Great Buddha at Shoboji Temple is one of Japan's three great Buddha statues. The Nagara River hosts ukai, a 1,300-year-old cormorant fishing tradition that runs each year from May to October.

Gifu Park and the Mount Kinka Ropeway anchor the main sightseeing area, with easy access to the castle, museum quarter and forested trails. Nearby, the riverside Kawaramachi district preserves a historic merchant streetscape of lattice-fronted houses, craft shops, cafés and small restaurants, while the city is also known for its paper lanterns and traditional Japanese umbrellas.

As a regional commercial and administrative centre, Gifu offers a slower-paced alternative to nearby Nagoya, with local food such as ayu sweetfish from the Nagara River and the chicken dish keichan. The Nagara River Fireworks Festival fills the summer sky in late July and early August, drawing large crowds to the riverside.

For travellers, Gifu works well as a base for exploring Gifu Prefecture, including day trips to Takayama and the thatched village of Shirakawa-go, while its rail connections make Nagoya and Chubu Centrair International Airport easily reachable.