Gifu Hidden Gems

Day 1

Gifu

First off, explore Gifu Castle, the base of Nobunaga Oda, one of the most famous samurai leaders. The impressive castle is accessed via the scenic Mt. Kinka Ropeway. Don’t forget to take a stroll around Gifu Park to admire the lush foliage and visit the largest lacquered Great Buddha Statue (Daibutsu) in Japan.

Last but not least, enjoy the uniquely relaxing atmosphere of walking around the old-timey streets of the Kawaramachi District. Stop by one of the local handicraft stores for a one-of-a-kind handmade souvenir.

1: Gifu

Gifu Castle

Gifu Great Buddha (Shoho-ji Temple)

Walking around Kawaramachi District

Gifu – Gujo Hachiman

60 minutes by Gifu Bus

Gujo

Situated near the beautiful Nagara River, a trip to the historic district of Gujo Hachiman makes for a beautiful day out. Gujo is also known for the Gujo Dance in the summer, and the beautiful, stunningly clear waters that run through the town. If you missed the Gujo Dance season, you can experience a live performance during a visit to the nearby Gujo Hachiman Museum. After enjoying the dance, try your hand at making some Japanese replica food samples. And lastly, head upstairs for a breathtaking landscapes from the stone-walled Gujo Hachiman Castle.

2: Gujo

Walking around Historic District

Gujo Dance Performance

Food replica workshop

Gujo Hachiman Castle

Stay in Gujo Hachiman

Day 2

Gujo Hachiman Castle Town Plaza – Gujo Hachiman IC

10 minutes by Gujo Taxi (on-demand)

Gujo Hachiman IC – Shirakawa-go

90 minutes by Gifu Bus

Shirakawa-go

Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck — Shirakawa-go

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shirakawa-go: a rustic, traditional village deep in the mountainside. Famous for its thatched “gassho-style” houses, the snow-capped roofs are a sight to behold in the winter. Shirakawa-go is also surrounded by vast rice fields, owned by residents who still farm for a living. A walk around the quaint village is sure to make visitors feel as if they’ve been transported back to the olden days. Discover what it’s like on the inside by visiting opened houses, or take a 15-minute hike up to the Shiroyama Viewpoint to enjoy a panoramic view from above.

3: Shirakawa-go

Shirakawa-go

Shirakawa-go – Takayama Nohi Bus Center

50 minutes by Nohi Bus

Takayama

Once a busy merchant town, the Takayama Historic District retains most of its original buildings and traditional architecture to this day. Now, the district is home to crafts and sake breweries, as well as food stalls selling local specialties such as mitarashi dango and Hida beef skewers. Takayama Jinya is also known as the Takayama Historical Government House, the only one of its kind remaining in Japan — making it a building of immense historical significance.

4: Takayama

Historic District

Takayama Jinya

Hida Beef

Morning Markets (Miyagawa & Jinyamae)

Day3

Takayama Nohi Bus Center – Shinhotaka Ropeway

105 minutes by Nohi Bus

Okuhida Hot Spring Villages

Escape to the mountains deep within the Japanese Alps to experience a truly magnificent ‘rotenburo’ hot spring. Okuhida Hot Spring Villages consist of five different hot springs, all of them combined to make Okuhida have the most open-air springs (rotenburo) in the country. For those who want a bird’s eye view of the Alps, hop aboard Shinhotaka Ropeway’s double-decker cable car. It takes you 2,156 meters high in the air to fully immerse in the grandeur of the Japanese Alps.