Gifu Prefecture

Gifu is an administrative division in the central part of Honshu, the main island, encompassing several cities, towns, and extensive rural areas. The landscape ranges from flat valleys in the south to forested mountains in the north, crossed by rivers that flow from east to west and shape wide plains.

The modern boundaries took shape in 1876, when several smaller territories were merged after feudal lords had controlled these lands for centuries. Gifu Castle, once the seat of powerful warlords in the 1500s, marks the long military importance of this region during the Sengoku period.

In small workshops across the region, craftspeople still make handmade paper using methods that have remained largely unchanged for centuries, and visitors can often watch the process. Rural villages maintain wooden houses and rice terraces that reflect daily routines shaped by farming and seasonal festivals, while local markets offer food and crafts tied to regional traditions.

Major rail stations in the southern part connect to national lines, while smaller towns in the north are more easily reached by local buses or rental cars. Visitors planning to explore mountainous areas should bring sturdy shoes and weatherproof clothing, as conditions change quickly with elevation.

During summer months, fishermen on the Nagara River practice an ancient method using cormorants to catch fish at night, and visitors can watch this rare activity from the shore or from boats. Several remote villages in the northern mountains remain so deeply buried in snow for months that their way of life has adapted completely to heavy winter conditions.