The ULTIMATE Gifu travel guide: Top attractions, best places to visit, stay & MORE

Nestled in the peaceful Hida mountains, Gifu Prefecture appears like a pristine Japanese painting with the ancient village of Shirakawa-go, the old town of Takayama and enchanting flower seasons. Not as noisy as big cities, Gifu offers a slow pace of life, brilliant four-season nature and cultural values ​​that are completely preserved over time. Today, Living Nomads will join you to learn about this attractive destination for Japanese tourists in Gifu through the Gifu travel guide: Top attractions, best places to visit, stay & MORE!

Gifu travel guide: Where is Gifu?

Gifu Japan is located in the center of Honshu Island, a landlocked province but possesses majestic mountainous terrain and many ancient towns that are preserved intact. Gifu Prefecture is famous for two iconic destinations: Takayama, a mountain town imbued with the breath of Edo, and Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO-recognized Gassho-zukuri village.

The capital Gifu City impresses with its traditional cormorant fishing along the Nagaragawa River. Thanks to its convenient location near Nagoya, visitors can easily travel to Gifu and start their journey with many memorable experiences here.

What to prepare when traveling to Gifu?

To make your trip to Gifu complete, you should carefully prepare your documents and luggage before departure. The following notes will help you feel more secure when traveling to Gifu:

Passport: Before the trip, make sure your passport is still valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Japan.

Japan tourist visa: Vietnamese visitors need to have a valid visa to be allowed to enter Japan. With a self-sufficient tourist visa, the maximum stay is 90 days. If you want your application to be approved more smoothly, you can choose the Japanese visa service from reputable units such as Klook.

Electronic entry declaration: Before flying, you need to fill in information on the Visit Japan Web system. This step should be completed within 72 hours before departure time to make the check-in process at the Japanese airport go smoothly.

Plan your itinerary: Gifu has many famous attractions such as the ancient village of Shirakawago, snow-viewing spots, onsen and attractive four-season scenery. Planning your schedule by day helps you optimize your time, costs and not miss out on places worth experiencing.

Things to bring: In addition to warm clothes and thermal accessories, you should prepare a coin purse, handkerchief, socket adapter, reusable trash bag and waterproof bag for your phone. These small items will be extremely useful throughout your journey to explore Gifu.

Flights and Accommodation: Book your flights and accommodation early to get good prices with Klook discount codes, especially if you want to stay near Shirakawa-go or central towns. Booking in advance also makes it easier to arrange transportation between attractions.

Travel Insurance: If you plan to participate in winter activities or travel frequently, travel insurance is a good option. This will protect you from risks such as lost luggage, delayed flights or minor incidents while skiing.

Currency and Payment: In Gifu, many small shops still prefer cash payments. However, IC cards such as Suica or Pasmo can be used at some restaurants and convenience stores, helping you pay faster.

Travel SIM Card or eSIM: To keep a stable connection throughout your trip, you can prepare a Japanese SIM or eSIM. With eSIM for traveling to Japan, you only need to activate it right after landing to have internet to look up information and navigate.

How to get to Gifu?

Although Gifu does not have its own airport, first-time visitors can easily choose a flight to Nagoya. This is the closest and most convenient airport to Gifu. From Chubu Centrair, you only need to take the Meitetsu train for about 1 hour to Gifu City, very suitable for a compact schedule.

If flying internationally, you can also choose a flight to Osaka or a flight to Narita (Tokyo), but the travel time to Gifu will be longer. A small tip for first-time travelers to Gifu is to always compare ticket prices between airports near Gifu before booking and consider low-cost airlines to save costs!

Transportation in Gifu

The popular means of transportation in Gifu are summarized below by Living Nomads to help make your travel itinerary more convenient:

Train

Trains are the most convenient and easy-to-use means of transportation when traveling to Gifu, especially for those who are coming to Japan for the first time. JR and Meitetsu lines operate on time, are clean and connect most famous places such as Takayama, Shirakawa-go (via connecting buses), Gero or Gifu City.

Visitors can buy IC cards such as Suica/Pasmo to tap in – tap out quickly at major stations or buy individual tickets at ticket machines if going to smaller stations. Thanks to the clear train network and easy to look up with Google Maps, traveling in Gifu by train not only saves time but also helps you actively explore the beautiful Hida region.

Bus

Buses are a very convenient way to get around Gifu, especially if you want to visit famous spots like Shirakawa-go, Takayama or Gero. Most local buses are easy to use: Get on the back door, get a ticket and pay when you get off at the front door; some routes also accept IC cards so you don’t need to prepare change. For tourists, long-distance buses like Nohi Bus from Gifu City or Takayama are very popular because they are cheaper than trains and go straight to tourist spots without having to change lines.

Gifu is easily accessible by car via expressways like the Hokuriku Expressway and Tokai Hokuriku Expressway. The nearest exit is Gifu IC, just a few minutes from the village. Visitors park their vehicles at Seseragi Park Parking Lot, the main parking lot that can accommodate cars, motorcycles and large vehicles.

Car Rental

Renting a car in Gifu is an ideal choice for those who want to freely explore the Hida Mountains, especially when traveling to remote locations such as Shirakawa-go or hot springs hidden in nature. Visitors can easily rent a car on Klook in Gifu City, Takayama or Nagoya with simple procedures, only needing a passport, international driver’s license and payment card.

Best time to travel to Gifu

The best time to travel to Gifu is spring, when cherry blossoms bloom and the weather is pleasant, very suitable for sightseeing and participating in festivals such as Takayama Spring Festival. From late March to April, the cool air and pink colors along the riverbank create a beautiful scene for visitors to explore.

In addition, autumn is also a favorite time thanks to the brilliant red leaves around Kinka Mountain and Gifu Castle. Summer in Gifu is warm with lush green mountains and forests, a vibrant festival season, especially the Gujo Odori dance taking place from mid-July to September.

In winter, the whole Gifu region turns into a snow country, the most beautiful is Shirakawa-go when the Gassho roof is covered in white and lit up on the nights of January to February. No matter what season you go, Gifu brings unique natural and cultural experiences to your journey.

Where to visit: Suggestions for famous tourist attractions when traveling to Gifu

Your Gifu travel itinerary has many famous tourist attractions. Let’s take a look at some of the places that attract many international tourists below!

Gifu Castle

• Address: Ogimachi, Shirakawa, Ono District, Gifu 501-5627, Japan
• Opening hours: 09:30 – 16:30
• Admission fee: 200 JPY (~ 34,000 VND)/adult and 100 JPY (~ 17,000 VND)/child

Gifu Castle is located on the top of Mount Kinka, a historical symbol associated with the famous general Oda Nobunaga and offers a beautiful panoramic view of Gifu city. Inside the castle, visitors can admire the unique collection of armor, swords and samurai artifacts.

The journey to the top by cable car from Gifu Park or hiking along the trails is also an interesting experience for nature lovers. In particular, the autumn around the castle is famous for its brilliant red leaves, making this place the most beautiful place to see the fall foliage in Gifu.

Shirakawa-go (Shirakawago Ancient Village)

• Address: Ogimachi, Shirakawa, Ono District, Gifu 501-5627, Japan

Shirakawago is an ancient village located in the mountains and forests of Gifu, famous for its gassho-zukuri thatched roof houses with unique architecture that have been recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The scenery here changes beautifully with the four seasons: Spring flowers bloom brilliantly, summer is green, autumn leaves are red and winter snow covers the roofs creating a magical scene.

Visitors to Shirakawa-go village can stroll through the peaceful village roads, visit traditional houses and explore the ancient life of the Hida region. This is an ideal destination for those who love rustic beauty, nostalgia and want to touch the original Japanese lifestyle.

Takayama Jinya (Takayama Jinya Heritage Building)

• Address: 1 Chome-5 Hachikenmachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0012, Japan
• Opening hours: 8:45 – 17:00 (Last admission before 16:30)
• Admission fee: 440 JPY (~ 75,000 VND)/person

Takayama Jinya is an ideal place for visitors to explore Gifu history through the Edo period, when it was once the administrative office of the shogunate government. The wooden structure is preserved intact with tatami rooms, meeting rooms, official residences and interrogation rooms, helping you clearly visualize the life and operation of the ancient ruling apparatus.

In addition, the largest rice warehouse in Japan also preserves many valuable documents, maps and artifacts of the Hida region. The solemn and ancient space makes Takayama Jinya an unmissable stop for those who love history and traditional Japanese architecture.

Miyagawa Morning Markets

• Address: Shimosannomachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0841, Japan
• Hours of operation: 07:00 – 12:00 (April – November) and 08:00 – 12:00 (December – March)
• Admission fee: Free

Miyagawa Morning Market in Takayama is one of the most famous morning markets in Japan, offering a bustling atmosphere and authentic local life that any visitor to Gifu should experience. From 7:00 a.m., stalls along the Miyagawa River and in front of Takayama Jinya open simultaneously, selling fresh vegetables, pickles, sweets and traditional handmade gifts such as sarubobo dolls or Ichii wood carvings.

Gifu Park

• Address: 1 Chome-地内 Omiyacho, Gifu, 500-8003, Japan
• Hours of operation: Open all day
• Admission fee: Free

Gifu Park is a must-see destination when visiting Gifu, located at the foot of Mount Kinka and surrounded by brilliant nature all year round. Here, visitors can stroll through Nobunaga’s garden, explore the ruins of an old mansion, visit a history museum or enjoy art at Kato Eizo – Toichi Memorial.

The park also has a ropeway to the top of the mountain that takes only about 3 minutes, opening up an impressive view of the entire city. The cherry blossoms in spring and the red leaves in autumn make Gifu Park an ideal place to relax and sightsee.

World Freshwater Aquarium Aqua Totto Gifu

• Address: Japan, 〒501-6021 Gifu, Kakamigahara, Kawashima Kasadamachi, 1453 河川環境楽園内
• Opening hours: 9:30 – 17:00
• Admission fee: 1,780 JPY (~ 300,000 VND)/person

Aqua Totto Gifu is the world’s largest freshwater aquarium, recreating the amazing journey of rivers from the upper Nagara to the legendary rivers of Asia, Africa and the Amazon. The space is filled with light, waterfalls, green forests and hundreds of unique creatures such as giant Mekong catfish or Asian otters, helping visitors relax and explore nature in the most vivid way. This is an ideal destination for the whole family when traveling to Gifu.

Hida no Sato Folk Village Museum is also an ideal destination to learn more about traditional culture in the Hida Gifu mountains.

Where to stay: Ideal Gifu hotels for your trip

Based on the map of Gifu hotel accommodation areas, visitors can choose a place to stay that suits their itinerary. Takayama is an ideal choice if you want to enjoy the ancient pace of life with old streets lined with wooden houses, ryokan and traditional cuisine.

If you want to experience a more rustic Japan, stop at Shirakawa-go, home to unique Gassho-zukuri thatched roof houses. For those who like convenience, easy travel and many modern services, Gifu City is the perfect stop thanks to its diverse hotel system, close to the train station and many attractions in the city. Each area has its own nuances, you can combine 2 to 3 points to have a more complete Gifu exploration trip.

Juhachiro

• Address: 10 Minatomachi, Gifu, 500-8009, Japan
• Rate for 1 night starts from: 2,353,908 VND

If you want to fully enjoy the traditional atmosphere of Gifu, Juhachiro is the ideal ryokan to stay. Located on the poetic Nagara River, famous for cormorant fishing, Juhachiro offers a relaxing onsen experience and Japanese-style rooms. From the ryokan, you can easily visit the Gifu History Museum, Nagaragawa Sports Center or the foothills of Mt. Kinka. (klook, agoda)

Miyako Hotel Gifu Nagaragawa

• Address: 2695-2 Nagarafukumitsu, Gifu, 502-0817, Japan
• Rate for 1 night from only: 2,185,457 VND

If you want to stay in the center of Gifu with full modern facilities and a clear view, Miyako Hotel Gifu Nagaragawa is a very worthy choice. The hotel is located right on the Nagaragawa riverside, an ideal location to travel to highlights such as Nagaragawa Convention Center, Gifu History Museum or Kinka Observation Tower. Luxurious space, large swimming pool, on-site restaurant and 24-hour reception service help you rest assured after a day of exploring. (klook, agoda)

Must-try dishes when traveling to Gifu

Gifu cuisine is also an indispensable part of the journey to explore here. Some of the outstanding delicious dishes that you must try in Gifu are:

Takayama Ramen (Ramen)

Takayama Ramen is a signature dish of the Hida region, famous for its clear, light but flavorful broth made from soy sauce and chicken bones simmered for many hours. The thin and slightly curly noodles help absorb the flavor, combined with soft chashu pork and green onions to create a simple but attractive bowl of ramen.

Visitors to Gifu often come to Takayama to enjoy this dish as an indispensable part of their journey to explore the local culinary culture with names such as Ramen M (中華そばM), Sanmachi (さんまち), Kaminari (雷 KAMINARI),…

Hoba Miso (Miso Grilled Meat)

Hoba Miso is a unique dish of Gifu, where thick miso paste is placed on hoba leaves and grilled directly over charcoal. When heated, miso has a distinctive aroma, often eaten with Hida beef, green onions and mushrooms, creating an attractive blend of the fatty sweetness of the meat and the smoky aroma of the leaves.

This is an unforgettable culinary experience, helping visitors feel the traditional flavors of the Hida mountains in a rustic yet sophisticated way. Notable eateries in Gifu that will bring the authentic experience are Suzuya Restaurant (寿々や), Juraku (寿楽久さんまち店), Osen (おせん 岐阜 osen),…

Gohei Mochi (Gohei Mochi Grilled Rice Cake)

Gohei Mochi is a specialty grilled rice cake of Gifu, covered with miso sauce or walnut sauce, bringing a harmonious sweet and salty flavor and an attractive aroma when grilled. The cake is skewered and grilled over hot coals, creating a slightly crispy crust on the outside but still soft and chewy on the inside.

This is a street food loved by many tourists when walking around ancient villages and local markets. Tourists can enjoy Gohei Mochi in Gifu with famous shops such as 鳳来屋, 松田屋, おだんご らんまる,…

A trip to Gifu is an opportunity for you to step into the world of snow-covered ancient villages, unique gassho-zukuri architecture and countless unforgettable cultural experiences. From the suggestions shared in the article, you can completely confidently build yourself a complete and emotional itinerary.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in and to Shirakawa-go you can refer to

• A Day in Shirakawa Village and Takayama
• Gokayama Ainokura & Shirakawago Bus Tour
• Takayama and Shirakawa-go Day Trip from Nagoya
• Shirakawago Ogimachi Village Half Day Tour from Takayama
• Shirakawa-go, Takayama, and Kamikochi Day Tour from Nagoya
• Takayama Spring Festival & Shirakawago Tour
• [Klook Exclusive] Shirakawago Illumination Wonderland Trip from Nagoya or Takayama
  Shirakawago Minkaen Illumination & Festa Forest Museum Round Trip Bus Trip from Takayama
• Shirakawago Day Trip with Exclusive Illumination Winter Event and Round Trip Transfer from Takayama

Are you looking for more Shirakawago travel guide and top things to do in Shirakawago: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Explore 5 things to do in Shirakawa-go — One of the most beautiful Japanese traditional village hidden behind the mountain.