Gifu may not be well-known outside Japan, but this city played a huge role in the country’s history as the home base of Nobunaga Oda (織田信長), a warlord from the 16th century. Oda made it his mission to unify Japan during what is now known as the Warring States Period, or Sengoku Jidai (戦国時代). Located smack-dab in the middle of Japan, it was once the thread connecting the eastern and western halves of Japan, and once considered the secret to ruling the whole country.
Nowadays, Gifu has a bustling downtown that spreads into a quiet suburban area dotted with rice paddies – you’d never guess it used to be such a political hotspot. It has seen a lot of development in the past sixty or so years; when my husband’s father was a child, the city outside of downtown was almost entirely rice paddies, but many houses and stores have been built since then.
Instead of big, flashy tourist attractions, Gifu offers unique cultural experiences. Some examples include traditional tea ceremonies and cormorant fishing on the Nagara River, a tradition where people fish using birds instead of nets.
Even though I didn’t know much about Gifu before I moved here, I love living in such a historically rich city. You can see a golden statue of the warlord Oda at JR Gifu Station, or take the ropeway up Mt. Kinka (or Kinkazan, 金華山) to visit his former castle. The squirrel village at the top of the mountain is also a nice touch, and great fun if you like small animals.
At the base of Mt. Kinka lies Gifu Park, which is hugely popular with the locals. Fellow history buffs will love the museum there, and it’s easy to snag some dango as a snack while admiring the small pond or the decent-sized waterfall across the way. I like to visit the three-storied pagoda or sanjūnotō (三重塔), originally built in 1917. You can’t go inside, but it’s a great chance to see such a beautiful example of Japanese architecture up close. It’s especially nice since you don’t have to shell out the cash to ride the ropeway. Or, you know, hike the two hours up the mountain.
There’s also a giant Buddha situated across the street, but unless you’re a huge fan of Buddhas (or Buddhist yourself and want to pay respects), it’s not really worth a visit – just snap a picture and you’re done.
Even in the more domestic areas, you can find little gems, like a stream lined with cherry blossom trees that make for a breathtaking sight in spring. And of course, there’s also Karawamachi (川原町), a street with preserved historic buildings not too far from Gifu Park. I love visiting there; it’s like stepping back into the past.
K. Lou
Hello! I’m K. Lou, an American writer living in Gifu, Japan. I’m a mother of four with a keen love of history, science, and nature, and spend much of my free time either reading novels or trying my own hand at writing them.
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