Gifu - Apple Vacations Malaysia

SHIRAKAWA-GO GASSHO VILLAGE

Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, famous for its thatched roof houses known as Gassho-zukuri which is characterized by steeply slanting roof resembling two hands joined in prayer.

CENTER OF JAPAN

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SEASONAL HIGHLIGHTS

SPRING

Boasting one of the finest displays of cherry blossoms in the country and a spectacular spring festival, Takayama attracts visitors from across Japan and around the world during springtime.

AUTUMN

Take in Takayama's autumn festival and the autumn leaves in the mountains, particularly around Gujo Hachiman.

SUMMER

Watch ukai or cormorant fishing on the Nagara River, camp at the Tsukechi Gorge or hike through some of the most stunning mountains in Japan, including Mt. Hakusan and Mt. Norikura.

WINTER

Winter in Gifu is all about snow sports, with Gujo and Takayama as the main destinations. Shirakawa-go is especially gorgeous when the traditional thatched houses are blanketed in snow.

BEST ROAD TRIPS IN GIFU

Route 1 - From Gifu-Hashima Station

Gifu-Hashima Station is a shinkansen station located between Tokyo and Osaka, and is extremely close to the highway interchange which makes it a very convenient starting point for a road trip. Destinations that can be explored through the road trips include Chiyoho Inari Shrine, Yoro Park, Historic Sekigahara Battlegrounds, Udatsu Wall Historical District, Monet’s Pond, Gujo Hachiman, Amidaga Falls, and Hida Takayama.

Route 2 - From Central Japan International Airport

Visitors who depart from Central Japan International Airport can enjoy the abundant nature of the Japanese countryside and escape the city life's crowds and traffic jams. There are a few hidden spots that can be explored along the road trips in Gifu, for example Mosaic Tile Museum, Magome-juku, Naegi Castle Ruins, Hirayu Otaki Falls, Shinhotaka Ropeway, Okuhida Hot Spring Villages, and Rail Mountain Bike Gattan Go!!.

Route 3 - From Central Japan International Airport

Escape from the city’s crowds and enjoy the nature of the Japanese countryside. Through this route, visitors are able to visit Seki Blades, Gandate Canyon, Hida Osaka Falls, Hida Furukawa, Tanekura, Amou Prefectural Nature Park, and Shirakawa-go.

LOCAL SPECIALTIES

HIDA BEEF

Hida-gyū (飛騨牛 is a specific type of beef that comes from Kuroge Washu (黒毛和種, Japanese Black) specially reared in the mountain town of Takayama. Hida Beef is considered high-quality meat due to its intensely marbled appearance. Plus, it has to meet strict requirements from various national associations before it can officially be titled Hida Beef.

Thanks to Gifu’s expansive natural environment, clear water, rich earth and clean air, the cattle raised here can live a relatively comfortable and healthy lifestyle. This results in beef with an umami-rich, succulent flavour that has a melt-in-your-mouth texture that can be enjoyed grilled, roasted or even as shabu-shabu.

AYU FISH

The ayu or sweetfish can be found in the waters of the Nagara River in Gifu, and a traditional method of catching them is to use cormorants. In season from summer to autumn, ayu is best eaten after grilling over an open flame with just a sprinkling of salt.

HOBA MISO (Miso Cooked on a Magnolia Leaf)

Hoba miso is a traditional side dish from Gifu made of miso paste grilled on top of a dried magnolia leaf and garnished with sliced green onions. It was a humble food for poor farmers in Gifu during snowy winters when ingredients were scarce. Today, Hoba Miso is made much more lavishly, topped with succulent Hida Beef and uni, or sea urchin, which becomes infused with the fragrant aroma and flavours of the magnolia leaf on which it’s cooked.

KEICHAN CHICKEN

A kind of Gifu stir-fry dish, Keichan Chicken sees marinated chicken with cabbage fried in what is usually a base of miso sauce. Originating in the homes of Gifu, Keichan Chicken is also served fried in soy sauce or garlic. Whatever the base is, the dish is a go-to one that never fails to satisfy.

GIFU SAKE

Gifu’s brewers have been making Japan’s most famous tipple for centuries, and today the region is home to roughly 50 small to mid-sized breweries who between them have won a slew of domestic and international sake awards. It's not bad for a regional industry that prides itself first and foremost on making sake for local tastes, not trying to reinvent the wheel to suit trends elsewhere.

Ask a local brewer what makes the region’s sake special, and they will be too modest to mention the brewing skills that have been handed down through generations. What they will focus on is Gifu’s pristine water, which runs off the mountains into the region’s network of clear rivers, and the quality of the locally grown rice. All three are crucial to producing a great sake.

As for the sake they craft, it tends to be smooth and easy to drink, and it can complement any Japanese food. Pair it with ayu sweetfish, Hoba Miso or the local Hida Beef; it’s always good. No two Gifu sakes are the same—Gifu’s breweries each have their own characteristics, making Gifu the perfect place to explore the many intricacies of the classic Japanese drink.

JAPANESE TRADITIONAL CUISINE

Japanese cuisine is among the most highly regarded in the world, and nowhere is Japan’s culinary prowess better demonstrated than in kaiseki elegantly presented dishes. It started as a simple meal meant to accompany Japanese cuisine. Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese tasting course comprised of many small tea ceremonies, but over the centuries, this culinary tradition has become the pinnacle of Japanese haute cuisine.

TRADITIONAL TOWNSCAPE

Hida Takayama Old Streets

Streets are lined with beautifully preserved Edo-style townhouses with a small watercourse. A pleasant glimpse into the history and culture of this old town.

Gujo Hachiman

A charming historic town that still preserves the traditional townscape with many historical building and original waterways from the 16th century.

FUN & RELAX

Kamioka Railway

Abandoned Railway Line + Special Bike = Gattan Go! You can enjoy the speed and scenery through this activity. It feels so good to ride through the course surrounded by beautiful nature.

Food Replicas

The origin of food replicas, 80% of Japan’s food replicas are produced at Gujo Hachiman. Visitors can have a hand on experience to create their desire food replicas in the workshop.

Shin Hotaka Ropeway

Immerse in the panoramic view of the Northern Alps, while experience Japan’s first ever double decker gondola ropeway.

Gero Onsen

Gero has been known for its hot springs since the 10th century and is one of Japan's "Three Famous Springs". Gero's hot spring is said to be particularly good for relieving neuralgia, skin complex and rheumatism.

TIMELESS TRADITION

Ukai Cormorant Fishing

Ukai is a 1,300 year old traditional fishing technique using tethered cormorants to catch Ayu (sweet fish). A fire hanging from a steel basket at the front of the boat attracts the fish, which are scooped up by the diving birds. The cormorant handler then pulls the cormorants in and the larger fish are disgorged from the birds' beaks.

Seki: The City of Samurai Knives

The spirit of Samurai “Bushido” has never fade away from the history of Japan. The art of greatest swordsmiths has been inherited through 780 years till now. Seki's reputation for quality knives are now prized all over the world.

Takayama Festival Float

Takayama Festival is ranked as one of Japan’s most beautiful festival. At the hall exhibits elaborately decorated floats which are several hundred years’ old and spectacular examples of Takayama’s legendary craftsmanship.

HISTORICAL BUILDING

Gujo Hachiman Hyakurankan Museum

This tax office was built in the Taisho period. Inside the building, there are some exhibitions about history, water environment and Gujo dance along with a Gujo Hachiman's catchphrase, "Water and Dance Castle Town".

Takayama Jinya

Takayama Jinya used to be a government office in the Edo Period (1603-1868) that was ruled by Hida-no-yakuni. Out of 60 jinya that existed during the Edo Period, this one is the only one left in its original shape and is a designated Historical Monument. Presently, it is a museum where you can learn about the history of Takayama, and it houses various historic exhibits from the Edo Period to the present.