Gifu Prefecture

A mountainous prefecture in central Japan, known for the old streets of Hida-Takayama, Shirakawa-go's gassho villages and Gero Onsen.

Gifu Prefecture lies inland in central Honshu, with soaring mountains in the northern Hida region and broad plains in the southern Mino region. Hida-Takayama preserves Edo-period old streets and morning markets, and the Takayama Festival is one of Japan's three most beautiful festivals. The gassho-zukuri villages of Shirakawa-go are World Heritage-listed and especially famous for their winter snow scenes. Gero Onsen is one of Japan's famous hot springs, cormorant fishing on the Nagara River and the water town of Gujo-Hachiman are distinctive too, and Hida beef is the signature dish. It suits all seasons, with winter snow scenery and autumn leaves the most popular. Takayama and Gero can be reached from Nagoya by JR limited express.

Destinations

• Hida-Takayama
• Gero Onsen
• Shirakawa-go
• Kiso Valley (Tsumago & Magome)
• Nagoya
• Matsumoto
• Inuyama

Itineraries

• Shoryudo Nagoya-Takayama-Kanazawa – Head north from Nagoya via Gero, Takayama, and Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa. A classic train and bus route for first-time v…
• Tokyo to Kyoto via Japan Alps – Bypass the Tokaido and take the mountain route from Tokyo to Kyoto via Matsumoto, Kamikochi, Takayama, and Kanazawa.
• Nakasendo Kisoji Trail Hiking – A slow-paced hiking route from Inuyama to Matsumoto, walking from Magome to Tsumago and Torii Pass, with stays in histo…
• Tokyo, Hokuriku, Takayama & Kyoto Northern Route – Skip the Tokaido route and travel via Karuizawa, Nagano, Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, and Takayama to Kyoto.
• Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Hakuba & Matsumoto – Cross Tateyama from Toyama via the Kurobe Gorge to the Nagano side, then follow the mountain line through Hakuba and Ma…
• Grand Kanto & Shinshu Loop – A loop from Tokyo covering Hakone, Mt. Fuji, Matsumoto, Kamikochi, the Snow Monkeys, Kusatsu, and Karuizawa.