Ono, town in Ibi District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Ono is a small town in the Ibi district of Gifu Prefecture, set among hills and farming land, with quiet streets, farmhouses, and low traditional buildings spread across a compact area. The town also has a rose garden, an old station park, cherry trees along the Hanada River, forest trails, a sake brewery, and several temples.
The area was once part of the old Mino Province and officially became the town of Ono in 1932, when several nearby villages were merged. The Kiburi Temple dates back to the Nara period, making it one of the oldest structures in the area.
The Kiburi Temple draws visitors who come to see wooden sculptures that have been kept there for centuries. The sake brewery nearby still follows methods passed down over generations, and visitors can taste the results on the spot.
Ono has no train station, so most visitors arrive by car or by bus along local roads that connect the town to the wider area. Those without a car can use bus services to reach nearby towns and plan their visit from there.
The Kiburi Temple holds five sculptures of the Wise Kings, classified as national treasures of Japan and dating to the 9th century. This type of sculpture group is rarely found outside large cities in such good condition, making Ono an unexpected place to encounter them.
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