Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River
長良川鵜飼
A 1,300-year-old tradition of cormorant fishing, with bonfires lighting the river. Observation boats bring you close to Imperial Household Agency cormorant fishermen at work.
Nagara River cormorant fishing takes place every night from May 11 to October 15 near Nagara Bridge in Gifu City. Fishermen in traditional costume stand on boats with bonfires burning, guiding a dozen or so cormorants to catch ayu (sweetfish). Gifu's cormorant fishermen hold official posts as shikibu-shoku, Imperial Household Agency ceremonial staff, and the practice is known as Imperial Cormorant Fishing. Visitors can ride observation boats (about 3,500 to 4,000 yen, reservation required, with boxed meals available for purchase on board) to get close to the action. The finale is the sogari, when six boats line up side by side. Performances are canceled on full-moon nights and when the river is high. The Ukai Museum offers year-round exhibits on the tradition. A bus takes about 15 minutes from JR Gifu Station to Nagara-bashi.
Opening hours
May 11–Oct 15; boats depart about 6:15 pm, show begins around 7:45 pm
Nearby sights
- Gifu Castle (Mount Kinka)
- Mount Komaki (Komakiyama Castle)
- Kiyosu Castle
- Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology
- Noritake Garden
- Nagoya Castle
- Shikemichi Historic District
- Midland Square Sky Promenade