< Famous sightseeing spots>
Gifu city
ÅôMount Kinka and Gifu castleÅô
In the center of Gifu, there is Gifu castle with a stately site.This was built in the thirteenth century as a dwelling of a daimyou, Douzan Saito. He called it Inaba-castle. Later, Nobunaga Oda used it this castle. Later, it was not used. I don't know the reason why people who had great power didn't need this castle. But as an exhibition place, reconstruction was accomplished in 1956. The situation of Gifu castle is at the top of Mount Kinka. You had better use the Kinkazan ropeway. It takes about 5-10 minutes. (Çxou can climb to Gifu castle on foot, but the mountain climbing course is very hard. So I can't recommend this way.) Including Mount Kinka, Gifu castle is a place for interchange between citizens. Still more, at the top of Mount Kinka, you can see a beautiful night view. Between 10 and midnight, it is crowded with young people, photographers...etc.
ÅôUkai (cormorant fishing) in Nagara river
The Nagara river flows in the center of Gifu city. Ukai (cormorant fishing) is performed there every year. Ukai, is where a fisherman manipulates a cormorant skillfully and makes a fish catch. It has about 1300 years of history,and is the symbol of the nights in summer. Twelve cormorants are made to catch Ayu (sweetfish) while six ships reflect a bonfire on the water surface. Once, it was said that it was one of the Imperial events, and it has been protected by men who have held power in each period.
ÅôHanabi (fireworks) in the Nagara riverÅô
The Hanabi (fireworks) in the Nagara river are celebrated as the greatest amount of fire and smoke in Japan. Therefore, spectators visit from all over the country. It is performed on the dry riverbed between the Nagara bridge and the Kinka bridge on the first Saturday in August every year. About 30,000 fireworks are set off gaily during that summer evening.