Day 1 - Before the cormorant fishing -
The journey begins at Gifu-Hashima Station.
It takes about two hours from Tokyo Station to Gifu-Hashima. From Osaka Station, it takes just under an hour. Depart at a leisurely pace. Enjoy a bento box on the Shinkansen and build up your anticipation for the journey. We'll be waiting for you in an Alphard at Gifu-Hashima North Exit.
Deepen your knowledge at the Cormorant Fishing Museum.
It's about a 50-minute taxi ride from Gifu-Hashima to the Ukai Museum. Enjoy the scenery of Gifu city and the views from the window while relaxing comfortably in your seat. The Ukai Museum offers a chance to learn about the 1300-year history of cormorant fishing, as well as the cormorant fishermen and the cormorant ecosystem. The immersive guidance theater uses a picture scroll-style screen and a life-size cormorant fishing boat to realistically recreate the atmosphere of nighttime cormorant fishing. The floor projections, sound, and lighting create an exceptionally immersive experience. We recommend the lobby. The lounge overlooking the Nagara River and Kinka Mountain offers the best vantage point to enjoy the scenery of Gifu's hospitality. We hope you'll take a break here.
Stroll along the promenade beside the Nagara River
Descending the stairs from the Cormorant Fishing Museum, the view of the Nagara River that unfolds is a favorite spot for Gifu residents. Walking along the promenade, the river breeze is pleasant, and the chirping of birds and the sound of the river are soothing. You'll encounter beautiful scenery of Gifu. Continuing on, crossing the Nagara Bridge, you'll encounter different scenery on the opposite bank. Passing the Cormorant Fishing Boat Office, you'll enter the Kawaramachi area.
One of the joys of traveling is,
Relax at Nagara River Hot Springs
Stay at Nagara River Onsen for your trip to Gifu. A journey to discover the red spring bubbling up by the river. Nagara River Onsen is lined with inns along the Nagara River. The hot spring water is rich in iron, and while the source water is colorless and transparent, it gradually changes to a cloudy red color when exposed to air. It has been continuously selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Hot Springs by the Tourism and Economic Newspaper.
[Yado Ito] is perfect for travelers who want to experience the privacy and historical romance that only a whole house can offer.
I highly recommend "Yado Ito" (Juhachiro Hanare Yado Ito), a high-quality villa renovated for exclusive use. Its appeal lies in its high architectural and cultural heritage value, and how it elevates the "oldness" of its cultural heritage with a modern touch. There are two types of private villas available, allowing for a completely private and free stay, truly embodying the feeling of "staying like a local." This Gifu accommodation is highly recommended for travelers seeking a special experience.
A stroll through Kawaramachi
Changing into a yukata and strolling around town is also a pleasure of traveling.
Traditional townhouses with latticework windows, round red mailboxes, and narrow alleys nestled between high, black-walled storehouses—Kawahara-machi was a river port bustling with merchants since the time of Oda Nobunaga. The townscape, with its narrow frontages and deep, old-fashioned Japanese houses, retains its charming, old-world appeal. It's just a short walk to the cormorant fishing boat dock, making it a great place for a stroll before watching the fishing.
A moment to experience the charm of Gifu traditional umbrellas.
A row of Gifu-style Japanese umbrellas. "Wagasa CASA" is the only specialty shop of its kind in Japan, showcasing umbrellas handcrafted by artisans. The exhibition space also introduces the history, structure, and manufacturing process of Japanese umbrellas. From the combination of ribs, paper, and thread to the delicate shape they take, the depth of the artisans' skills is truly evident. Choosing your own unique umbrella as a souvenir of your trip would be wonderful. Rental options (2,200 yen per day) are also available, allowing you to experience the joy of actually using one. Opening Hours: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays
[French cuisine on a luxury sightseeing boat] Luxury tour plan
Board a luxury sightseeing boat that you have chartered entirely for yourself.
Enjoy a special French dinner on board this night, on the gently swaying water.
(Choose your French cuisine on board from the following three styles.)
(Features unique to luxury ships)
After the ship docks, a cormorant fisherman will accompany you and provide a special commentary.
The enchanting bonfires, the sounds, and the interaction between the cormorant fishermen and their birds create the perfect atmosphere for enjoying cormorant fishing under the best conditions of the day.
We invite you to a memorable and high-quality trip that condenses Gifu's nature, history, and gourmet cuisine into a single night.
After completing the registration at the cormorant fishing viewing boat office,
To the lively cormorant fishing viewing boat dock.
Boarding takes place around 17:45-18:00. The boarding area is bustling with activity as many boats line up, preparing to depart. Among them, the luxury sightseeing boat stands out with its gangway, giving it a special feel. Look for the sign that reads "French Cuisine with Cormorant Fishing."
French restaurant on a ship
You can board the boat with your shoes on and relax in comfortable sofa seating. It's truly a special restaurant floating on a ship. The space and cuisine build anticipation for the dinner that is about to begin. As the boatman sets sail, you can enjoy your meal and wine, and the pleasant river breeze flowing across the deck creates a truly wonderful moment. *Tablecloths will be used on the service chef's boat.
The cormorant fisherman's commentary, exclusive to this boat, is a service only available on luxury sightseeing cruises.
Around 18:15 After anchoring, before the cormorant fisherman sets out to fish, he will approach the boat and give a direct explanation. You can see the cormorants up close, and he will explain the ecosystem, fishing methods, and the relationship between the fisherman and the cormorants in an easy-to-understand way. You can also ask questions directly, deepening your knowledge and making watching cormorant fishing much more enjoyable.
Enjoy a French meal on board the ship.
18:30-19:40 As dusk begins, a pleasant breeze blows, birds chirp, cars pass by on the opposite shore, but only on the boat does it feel like a different world. Enjoy French cuisine in this unique setting. An elegant French dinner on board is the highlight of the trip. Fireworks signal the start of cormorant fishing. By then, dinner is over, and preparations begin for enjoying the cormorant fishing.
A traditional fishing method boasting a 1300-year history.
Cormorant fishing on the Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture.
The ethereal scene of cormorant fishermen and their birds working together to catch ayu (sweetfish) on the river surface, illuminated by bonfires, is truly the essence of Japanese beauty. It is a timeless stage on the water that appears only on summer nights.
Breathtaking. Exciting beautiful scenery.
Only a luxury sightseeing boat can offer such a close-up view of cormorant fishing. The interplay between the cormorants and the fishermen, the sound of the boats being spurred on, the crackling of the bonfires, you can feel the excitement up close, and the sight of all six boats lined up together is incredibly exciting. We disembark around 8:30 PM, after a truly memorable experience.
Day 2
Experience Gifu traditional Japanese umbrellas.
A stroll through Gifu Park and a ride on the ropeway to Gifu Castle.
Why not take a traditional Gifu umbrella? From Kawaramachi to Gifu Park. Gifu Park, spread out at the foot of Mt. Kinka, is said to be the site of the residences of Saito Dosan and Oda Nobunaga, who were lords of Gifu Castle during the Sengoku period. Within the park, surrounded by the natural beauty of Mt. Kinka, there are many facilities, including the Nobunaga Garden, the site of Nobunaga's residence, the Kanmokumon gate, the Gifu City History Museum, the Kashoken tea room, and the Nawa Insect Museum. The Kato Eizo & Toichi Memorial Museum is a charming, albeit small, museum with a storehouse-style structure featuring white plaster walls and a flat tiled roof. It displays paintings of the Nagara River and Mt. Kinka, which the Kato brothers deeply loved, and offers views from the courtyard. From the base station of the Kinka Mountain Ropeway, which connects to the Mt. Kinka summit station in about 3 minutes, head to Gifu Castle.
A breathtaking view!! Even the greatest rulers of Japan have seen this!? A 360-degree panoramic view from Gifu Castle's keep, stretching out below.
After a 4-minute ride on the ropeway, followed by an 8-minute climb, you'll arrive at Gifu Castle. From the observation deck of Gifu Castle, you can enjoy a magnificent view, with the clear Nagara River flowing below, Mount Ena and Mount Kiso Ontake to the east, Mount Norikura and the Japanese Alps stretching out to the north, Mount Ibuki and the Yoro Mountains to the west, and Ise Bay to the south.
For lunch,
Hiyashi Tanuki Tengoku Kawaramachi Store
This is a specialty restaurant for Gifu's soul food, "Hiyashi Tanuki Soba" (cold tanuki soba). The restaurant, housed in a renovated traditional townhouse, has a long, narrow interior with both counter and table seating. The classic "Hiyashi Tanuki Soba" features firm soba noodles topped with plenty of fried tofu, tempura flakes, green onions, kelp powder, and sesame seeds. It's refreshing yet has a surprisingly deep flavor, making it easy to eat. ◆Hiyashi Tanuki Tengoku Kawaramachi Branch Opening Hours: Weekdays 11:00-17:00 Weekends & Holidays 11:00-14:30, 17:00-20:00 Closed: Thursdays
OZEKI Kawaramachi Gallery
AKARI gallery
On the second floor of CASA stella is the "OZEKI Kawaramachi Gallery," run by OZEKI Co., Ltd., a long-established company founded in 1891. The "OZEKI Kawaramachi Gallery" is a showroom showcasing the charm of Gifu lanterns. It displays a variety of lantern styles, from traditional Obon lanterns to modern designs that complement contemporary lifestyles. The moment I stepped into the room next to the "OZEKI Kawaramachi Gallery," I couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow..." The "AKARI Gallery" offers a similar breathtaking experience. This gallery displays "AKARI," lighting works created by world-renowned sculptor Isamu Noguchi starting in 1951. Born from an encounter with Gifu lanterns, this series is a beloved art form of washi paper lighting worldwide. The space enveloped in delicate forms and gentle light is truly enchanting. Opening Hours: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays
As a memory of Gifu,
I'm going to try my hand at painting Gifu lanterns.
Just a short walk from CASA stella is the "Teshigoto Studio," located inside "Teshigoto Machiya CASA." Here, several hands-on workshops are offered. You'll feel an indescribable attachment to the lantern you create once it's finished. We can also make arrangements for you, so please feel free to inquire. ◆Teshigoto Studio (inside Nagara River Teshigoto Machiya CASA) Address: 29 Minato-cho, Gifu City Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Closed: Wednesdays and Thursdays
I took a break before heading home.
Looking for souvenirs from Gifu?
Time for a break. After strolling around Gifu, we enjoyed matcha tea and seasonal sweets at Tamaiya Honpo, taking a break while admiring the garden. This aperitif time builds anticipation for the cormorant fishing that is about to begin. The seasonal Japanese sweets represent the four seasons, events, and landscapes of Japan. A beautiful, traditional hospitality and matcha tea provide a moment of relaxation. "Nobori Ayu," a representative confection of Gifu, is very popular, and another is the humorous "Gekokujo Ayu." It's quite unique and makes a great souvenir. Closed: Wednesdays
We can take you to Gifu-Hashima Station by taxi upon request.
Our trip to Gifu is over, and it's time to head home. I bought a souvenir for myself at the Nagara River Department Store. There are many products filled with the passion of the creators and stories of how they were "nurtured by the Nagara River." There are also many cute and heartwarming items. They make great mementos of the trip, and allow you to savor the memories even after returning home. Although not included in the plan, we can arrange a taxi for you. We will pick you up in front of the cormorant fishing viewing boat office.
Luxury tour plan
Plan details
Outbound trip from Gifu-Hashima in an Alphard
Cormorant Fishing Museum Admission Ticket
Luxury sightseeing boat
Hospitality set meal OR full-course French cuisine served by the ship OR full-course French cuisine prepared by a chef on board
option
Arranging a taxi for the return trip
Painting experience
Accommodation
Drinks (as per your order for the hospitality meal)