Kani, Industrial city in Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Kani is an industrial city in south-central Gifu Prefecture that spans 87 square kilometers (34 square miles) with the Kiso River flowing through its northern section and hilly terrain in the east. The city consists of residential neighborhoods, commercial zones, and rural areas connected by several railway lines and national highways.
During the Edo period, the region fell partly under direct control of the Tokugawa shogunate and partly under the administration of the Owari Domain. The Nakasendo highway, one of the five major trade routes between Edo and Kyoto, passed through the area and brought travelers and merchants to the region.
The eastern hills of the city mark the birthplace of Shino Pottery, a traditional ceramic technique recognized by its white glaze with iron-rich accents. Akechi Castle ruins sit in the central area and recall the military past of the region during the Sengoku period.
The city sits about 30 kilometers from both Gifu and Nagoya and is accessible via several railway lines and national highways. Many residents commute to jobs in the surrounding larger cities, so transport connections are busiest during morning and evening hours.
The Flower Festival Commemorative Park holds 41,000 plants from 1,450 varieties, including a Japanese Rose Garden with over 7,000 rose types. This park was created to commemorate the 1995 International Garden Exposition and draws many visitors especially in spring and early summer.
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