Gifu is a province located in the Chubu region on the island of Honshu., Japan. There are a variety of regional characteristics. Resulting in a beautiful natural scenery There are hot springs for relaxing and fatigue. Including culture Various festivals that are exciting and diverse and historical sites so you can experience the atmosphere of ancient Japan.
The gateway to Gifu is Nagoya. You can use international flights from Chubu International Airport, or if you want to use the Shinkansen Tokaido, which connects Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, and Tokyo. You will spend about 50 minutes from Osaka to Nagoya or about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Tokyo to Nagoya, which is considered very close. From Nagoya Station to Gifu Station takes about 20 minutes. To Takayama Station takes about 2 hours 20 minutes. To Shirakawago and Takayama you can go by Toyama Airport or Komatsu Airport.
Activities and festivals – interesting culture:
1. Gujo-Odori
Gujo dance Every year, people from all over the world flock to Gujo, gather in yukata and wear cloak shoes. Both locals and tourists alike join the dance group. It is often said that coming to this event to “join the dance” is not to “Watch the dance” This Gujo Odori will be held together for 30 consecutive nights during July. Until about the beginning of September And is also the longest-lasting dance event in Japan, and the climax of the event is that it dances in the night between 13 and 16 August for 4 days, and if only 10 minutes walk from the Gujo dance venue River travelers can enjoy walking along the streets lined with modern houses.The event duration is approximately 30 nights from early July to mid-September.
Event Time: Weekdays 20:00 – 22:30 hrs., Saturday until 23:00 hrs.
Telephone number: 0575-67-0002 （Gujo Hachiman Tourism Cooperation Association）
Access: within walking distance from Gujo Hachiman Station. (Depends on the venue)
2. Tarai Boat River Cruise
Tarai Boat River Cruise is located in Okakijima, Gifu, which has a beautiful and abundant water source that is known as the city of water, the “Zuemong River”. Will see over 100 cherry trees lined up in the river Visitors will be able to enjoy photography to the fullest. (The Cruise: Late March , Okaki River City Cruise: Early April)
Address: Takasago-cho, Ogaki City, Gifu
Contact: 0584-77-1535 (Okaki City Tourism Association)
http://travel.kankou-gifu.jp/en/about-gifu/
3. Takayama Matsuri Festival
It is the name of a great festival and 1 in 3 of the most beautiful festivals in Japan is the combination of 2 events: Sanno Matsuri in spring and Hachiman Matsuri in autumn.
Spring Festival (April 14-15) is the annual festival of Hie Shrine (Sanno-sama) located to the south of Takayama Old Town. This festival is also known as Sanno Festival
Autumn Festival (October 9-10) is the annual festival of Hachiman Shrine. Shrine) located in the north of Takayama Old Town. This festival is also known as Hachiman Festival
Both seasons are held in the same location. The hierarchy of the ceremony was similar. Each festival has its own yatai ceremony. The beautifully decorated floats will be housed at the Yatai Kaikan Museum and other equipment will be stored in the Takayama Old Town warehouse.
4. Parade (Yatai)
Yabai-wai will be paraded down the streets of Takayama from morning until late afternoon. If in any year the weather is bad, it will open a warehouse for tourists to visit instead.
Date: 14-15 April 9: 30-16: 00 and 9-10 October 9: 00-16: 00
5. Karakuri Performance
This performance is also known as Karakuri ningyo: A doll that can move and dance. Which will be on display for 2 days during the festival.
Date: April 14, 11: 00-15: 00, April 15, 10: 00-14: 00 and October 9 12: 00-15: 00 October 10 11: 00-13: 00
6. Mikoshi Procession
A small shrine (mikoshi) will be paraded around the city during the festival for 2 days and return to the shrine that came out. The Mikoshi Shrine belongs to the Shinto God Shrine.
Date: April 14, leaving the shrine 13:00. April 15, returning to the shrine 16:00 and October 9, leaving the shrine 13:00, October 10, returning to the shrine 16:00
7. Nighttime festivals
Will be held on the first evening of the festival It is considered the highlight of the festival that attracts a large audience. If the weather is bad, the job may be canceled.
Date: April 14, about 18: 30-21: 00 and October 9, 18: 00-21: 00
Event period: 14 – 15 April
The venue name of Hie Shrine etc.
Address: Shiroyama, Takayama City, Gifu
Access: 12 minutes walk from JR Takayama Station
