Gifu Prefectural Archives, Historical archive and museum in Gifu, Japan
The Gifu Prefectural Archives is a repository of regional documents, photographs, maps, and manuscripts that document the history of the prefecture. The collections show how administration, industry, and daily life in the region have changed over time.
The institution was founded in 1977 to systematically preserve and organize the region's growing collection of historical materials. It emerged from the need to document the prefecture's administrative past for future generations.
The archives document local crafts such as cormorant fishing on the rivers and Mino washi papermaking, traditions that remain visible in the region today. Visitors can learn how these techniques have been passed down and what role they play in the community's sense of identity.
The archives are open to visitors who want to view original sources or attend exhibitions displayed on site. It helps to have some idea of what you want to see before visiting, since the collections are quite extensive.
The archives house records that detail how Gifu transformed from a strategic post station on the Nakasendō route to a modern industrial center. These documents show how a trading town changed fundamentally in just a few generations.
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