Japan private tour tips for seeing & exploring the best of Gifu Prefecture
Gifu Prefecture in the heart of Honshu island and the Japanese Alps borders Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui prefectures to the north, Nagano Pref. to the east, Nagoya Pref. to the south, and Shiga prefecture to the east. The capital of Gifu Pref., Gifu City, at the south end of the prefecture, is relatively unknown except for its cormorant fishing tradition. The main tourist destination or basecamp in Gifu Prefecture is Takayama City (population 82,000), which is close to a wide range of high-value places ranging from Magome on the Edo-period Nakasendo hiking trail to the now world-famous village of Ogimachi (Shirakawago). There are two ways to explore Gifu Prefecture: by train and bus or in a hired car. Most private travel tourists that I have worked with spend 2-3 nights in Takayama.
Gifu Prefecture, which I have visited many times, is a favorite of mine for its lush green birch tree forests. The birch tree can't really be seen in Kyoto Prefecture (too warm) but Gifu has amazing birch forests and beautiful forest settings that are not dominated by conifer (needle) trees. Great hiking! Learn more!
Takayama City is famous throughout Japan for its "perfectly" preserved historical district and its lively and very old morning markets. And since the Takayama is small, tourists get a very intimate feeling for the Japanese Alps region without a lot of traffic and modern madness.
Takayama became very wealthy because of its forests, which were used for centuries to build and rebuild Edo-Tokyo. Takayama is also home to many of the finest traditional carpenters in Japan and thus excellent for woodwork of all kinds. I studied woodwork in Kyoto for nearly 10 years with master carpenters and they frequently journeyed to Takayama to learn more.
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Japan private travel content by Your Japan Private Tours' (established in 1990) founder Japan travel expert Ian Martin Ropke. I have been planning, designing, and making custom Japan private tours on all five Japanese islands since the early 1990s. Your Japan Private Tours specializes in bespoke travel for private clients (I do not work with agents) including exclusive excursions, personalized experiences, and unique adventures. I am 100% client-centric and total individual attention. Consider my Japan travel services for your next trip. And thank you for reading my content. Learn more!
High-value places to visit or experience in Gifu Prefecture
Shirakawago Ogimachi thatched roof village: Shirakawago is one of the most popular destinations in Japan for foreign travelers, who flock there to see the village's amazing gassho-zukuri thatched roof farmhouses (some of which are more than 250 years old). I have slept in Shirakawago on two occassions and I highly recommend that the reader consider this village for a night (or two). Shirakawago's big minshuku B and Bs are not inexpensive but do come with two banquet meals and the atmosphere is right out of a fairy tale. The village was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995. The gassho-zukuri roofs are made without nails using an ingenious reed bundle thatch method that traditionally involved the whole village. The space under these large roofs were used as huge attics for silkworm cultivation. Today, many of these stunning ancient farmhouses are home to great museums, restaurants, and cafes. The Iori restaurant is famous for its approach to slow food and perfect for lunch (reservations recommended!). Shirakawago is about an hour NW of Takayama City by bus or taxi. If you can, try to avoid going there on weekends. And in winter the village is just as crowded as summer and autumn because of its winter light up scenery (especially with people from Nagoya and Southeast Asians!).
Gifu's Magome to Tsumago Nakasendo walk: The famous Gifu-side Kiso Valley Nakasendo hike (less than 12 km) from the village of Magome to Tsumago is one of my favorite private tour itineraries in Gifu. Both of these villages served as post towns or checkpoints during the Edo period (1603-1868), used by samurai travelers, traders and religious pilgrims. The Nakasendo (and the Tokkaido) "highway" linked Edo-Tokyo with Kyoto (the Imperial capital of Japan from 794-1868). The best way to hike this route is "downhill" from Magome to Tsumago. Magome village is worth exploring before embarking on the hike to Tsumago. Magome has been wonderfully restored, and its village scenes are right out of a history novel. Tsumago is also authentic but not as polished as Magome. On the hiking section between the two villages travelers will find ancient inns and restaurants, as well as side trails to explore.
Okuhida Alps attractions east of Takayama City: Okuhida lies in the remoter parts of the Northern Japan Alps, about an hour by car or bus east of Takayama City. The eastern edge of Okuhida runs into the famous Kamikochi area (Nagano Pref), which is super popular for hiking with the Tokyo region's 40 million people. Okuhida region is famous in Japan for its hot spring ryokan inns featuring beautiful outdoor baths, and also stunning rustic ryokan inns. The most popular seasons Okuhida travel are summer and autumn. And for really great views consider a ride to the top of Okuhida's double-decker Shinhotaka Ropeway. From the top you can do some really great hikes!
Gujo-Hachiman river explorations: Gujo Hachiman, a small Gifu town, is located on the clear waters of the Gifu River. The town was established in the 1500s when Hachiman Castle was built. The feudal waterways of Gujo-Hachiman include the river and numerous canals (which were so important for moving cargo in the Edo Period). Today, you can still see people living in the town washing their rice and veggies in these nearly pure waters. Strange though it may seem, Gujo-Hachiman is Japan's top producer of food replicas for restaurant exteriors! The town is also one of the few places in Japan where cormorant fishing was practiced (a big tourist attraction today with families visiting the area in summer to cool off). Just outside of the town, you can explore the Otaki limestone cave.
Furukawa old town just north of Takayama City: Furukawa, a small town set in the lower reaches of the local mountains, is only 15 minutes north of Takayama City by train. If Takayama City is just too busy for you then you will find Furukawa to be almost serene. The town became prosperous in the Edo Period as a top lumber seller, and Furukawa's carpenters continue to be the best in the country. Furukawa has a canal lined on either side with white thick-walled kura storehouses that are especially well preserved.
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Japan private travel content by Your Japan Private Tours' (established in 1990) founder Japan travel expert Ian Martin Ropke. I have been planning, designing, and making custom Japan private tours on all five Japanese islands since the early 1990s. Your Japan Private Tours specializes in bespoke travel for private clients (I do not work with agents) including exclusive excursions, personalized experiences, and unique adventures. I am 100% client-centric and total individual attention. Consider my Japan travel services for your next trip. And thank you for reading my content. Learn more!