Experiences

Imagine the mighty roaring of a river wide, blue and crystal clear, in the depths of a mountain valley, coursing along boulder banks with traditional houses full of character, sprawling green trees of various hues, running still under a hefty stone bridge. That is the heartbeat of the Yoshida River, the lifeblood of Gujo Hachiman, the Town of Water, with canals girding and criss-crossing the region from the 17th century of the Edo Period. In summer from mid-July to early September, this sleepy, secluded town bursts into effervescent life as more than 300,000 people converge to join Japan's longest-running dance, the Gujo Odori (Dance)! Stroll down alleyways filled with traditional architecture from centuries gone by, and dive into daily life in an abundance of water along with exclusive local activities through this 5-hour guided walking tour showcasing all things Gujo. From the scenic Igawa Lane with its vivid, well-loved and well-fed carp, to a spectacle of energetic, lively Gujo Odori moves, to the grand Yoshida River that children leap into for respite from summer's sweltering heat. Enjoy opportunities to make food replicas and savor a special lunch with ingredients locally sourced. Feel vitality unending for yourself, bubbling just beneath the surface here in Gifu’s “Town of Water”.

Here at Gifu City’s Oblige International Preschool, experience firsthand how traditional Japanese culture is fostered through education, with the following features as their foundation.​

1. Greetings from oneself (for building positive relationships with others)​

2. Replying "Yes!" (for cultivating a readiness to earnestly listen to others)​

3. Arranging shoes and pushing in chairs (for developing habits in keeping tidy and finishing well)​

Ritsuyou education, which means "hip bones in good stature", is a highlight of the educational philosophy here, with the belief that children having the discipline for correct posture builds a unified mind and body, laying the foundation for willpower, concentration and perseverance. ​

How about trying out these classroom staples yourself? Start by joining the students and teachers with a session of cleaning up, before moving on to an exciting line-up of educational and fun lessons! Class is in session so come along, pull up a chair, and join in the daily life at school! The joy of learning never ends.​

Unfold the rich tapestry of culture and tradition at the heart of Gifu City through this illuminating course. Learn all about ukai (cormorant fishing) at the Nagara River Ukai Museum before visiting the home of a Cormorant Fishing Master, who will show you around and explain the ins and outs of his work, recognized by the Imperial Family of Japan. Alternatively, choose an option highlighting the artistry of one of Gifu City's beloved traditional crafts, Gifu lanterns, by visiting world-renowned artist, Isamu Noguchi's AKARI Gallery, displaying his "sculptures of light". After a delightful teatime at the Gifu Grand Hotel lounge, enjoy a splendid dinner of grilled ayu (sweetfish) aboard a chartered luxury observation boat. Witness the ukai from a vantage view as it begins at sunset, transporting you back in time with its subtle yet profound beauty.

Uncover the multifaceted beauty of Gujo Hachiman in this e-bike cycling tour of about 30km, starting and ending at Gujo Hachiman Station. Spend the morning surrounded by nature's wonders, before moving on to the satoyama (rural areas where foothills and farmlands overlap), catching a glimpse into the idyllic life of the locals spent in the Japanese countryside. Pass mountainstreams of pristine clarity, and in the noontime, the historical castle town of Gujo Hachiman. There will be opportunities to enjoy times of serenity in the traditional Japanese garden of Jionzenji Temple, and teatime to look forward to! Move at your own leisurely pace in this private tour. Your guide will provide you with any necessary support, making this course accessible for bikers of all levels, even beginners. 

Enter the sanctuary of the Hakusan Shinko (Hakusan Faith), which began at the foot of Mount Hakusan, one of Japan's three holy mountains alongside Mount Fuji and Mount Tateyama. Discover its history at the Hakusan Culture Museum, then move to the Nagataki Hakusan-jinja Shrine, where your guide will show you the ins and outs of correct etiquette when visiting a shrine, and walk you through powerspots and local sites of Important Cultural Properties of Japan. 

A valuable opportunity to experience a formal worship ceremony awaits you at the worship hall. Step up to the stage, normally off-limits to visitors, and receive blessings dedicated solely to you by the chief Shinto priest of the shrine. After that, you will receive a traditional goshuin (red seal), featured in a Taiga (historical) drama, as a memorable token of your journey. 

Take on this very special hands-on tour of the factory behind the highly sought-after and constantly sold-out premium, cemented carbide kitchen knives - a first in Japan, right here in Gifu! Watch the production process, help with sharpening and testing blades. After the tour, create your very own original pocketknife by affixing the cemented carbide (said to be the hardest material next to diamond) blade to the handle, made of wood produced in Gifu. For lunch, enjoy an enticing serving of Hida beef miso sukiyaki with salad sliced and diced with KISEKI: knives at Hana, a restaurant in a traditional Japanese house. Share conversations with the owner of the restaurant, who can vouch for the many excellent features of the KISEKI: knives, adding a little something to your visit.

Fish for Gifu's renowned ayu (sweetfish), and one of Japan's finest, using a traditional method tried and tested by time! Presenting the tomozuri (live decoy fishing) style, which you will be introduced to through training videos in a lesson before putting it to practice fishing using live sweetfish as bait in the Nagara River with support from a professional guide. While tomozuri usually requires expensive specialized fishing gear, you will have free rental of the necessary equipment. Then, dig in to the freshly caught wild sweetfish, salted and grilled. Enjoy its mouth-watering taste and compare it to that of the locally farmed ayu. Ayu rice will also be served. Discover the goodness of "Ayu of the Nagara River System," a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).

Enter the sanctuary of the Hakusan Shinko (Hakusan Faith), and encounter the spiritual culture of Japan from ancient times as you make your pilgrimage in honorable shiroshozoku (white robes). Discover the rich history between faith and nature at the Hakusan Culture Museum, then move to the Nagataki Hakusan-jinja Shrine, where a guide will show you the ins and outs of correct etiquette when visiting a shrine and praying. Be astounded by an afternoon visit to the dynamic Amidaga Falls, one of Japan‘s top 100 waterfalls and a subject of a majestic ukiyo-e piece done by Katsushika Hokusai, a leading artist in Japan's Edo period. Next, draw close to the spiritual grounds of the Hakusan Faith at the Hakusan Chukyo-jinja Shrine, the main place of worship for Hakusan followers, before treading stone steps that will lead you to the Itoshiro Osugi - a great, sacred cedar tree of 1800 years said to mark the beginning of the trail made by Taicho Daishi, the founder of Mount Hakusan. Enjoy a refreshingly delightful lunch of delicious nagashi somen near Amidaga Falls.

Take your very own awe-inspiring photo of Gifu Castle atop Mount Kinka with a supersized full moon as a magnificent backdrop, using only a smartphone at a photography course supervised by Gifu's expert photographer, Atsushi Kobayashi! Enjoy lunch and then, a soak in a private rotenburo (open-air bath) while you take in the grand scenery of nearby Gifu Castle and Mount Kinka from a different viewpoint at Hotel Park, a ryokan with an illustrious history of 130 years. Look forward to a special menu highlighting local specialties and Gifu’s history such as the prized salt-grilled sweetfish and sarasa salmon, with dishes inspired by the cuisine that the local fishermen dined on and more! (Optional) There are also riceballs and the Shokado refreshments available for those who prefer a lighter meal. 
 

Step into the daring domain of the Japan’s historical warriors with this travel plan featuring sword forging, iai-jutsu (sword drawing), Zen history, philosophy and meditation embodied by the samurai spirit. The best part is experiencing it all firsthand - start by watching the sparks fly up close as master bladesmith Fujiwara Kanemasa puts tried and trusted techniques to astounding work, hammer the steel fashioned into a blade at the workshop of the Cutler SANSYU / Seki Hamono Museum, before calming your heart and mind with Zazen meditation amidst the tranquil surroundings of the Ryutai-ji Temple, and finally, witness the swift but deadly motions of iai-jutsu with a genuine katana on the temple grounds. Unleash the fighter in you.