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Cormorant fishing viewing on the Nagaragawa River
Gifu Castle standing on the Mt.Kinka provides visitors with nice panoramic views day and night. You also enjoy watching a traditional unique event Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River while eating dinner in a viewing boat. Sir Charlie Chaplin visited Gifu twice to enjoy this unique traditional event. Besides, a photogenic street Kawara-machi and the Great Buddha statue in Shoboji-temple move you so much.
Meeting Point
At JR Gifu Station
JR Gifu Station
After meeting, you move around the station-front area
Public tea house (Matcha-tea break) in Gifu park
Shobo-ji (Great Buddha)
In Shoboji temple, you see a golden Great Buddha statue which is one of the three most famous Buddha-statues in Japan.
Nagara River Ukai Museum
In the Nagaragawa Ukai Museum, you learn everything about cormorant fishing. You can also visit one of the fishing master's cafe 'U-no-Iori U' where you can see and come close to cormorants while drinking coffee.
Kawara-machi
Strolling around the old wooden building street, you enjoy dropping in unique souvenir shops, cafe and fancy restaurants.
Cormorant Fishing*(11 May to 15 October)
From May 11th to October 15th, you could enjoy cormorant fishing known as Ukai on the Nagara River at night. Cormorant fishing is a traditional fishing style that started over 1300 years ago. You can enjoy eating dinner on a viewing-boat on the river and see how the fishing-masters manipulate birds to catch sweetfish, Ayu. The ephemeral performance by the fishermen and birds will give you a small glimpse of the old days.
Night view from the castle *(the available date in 2024 is still unknown)
You enjoy a night tour to the castle via lift-ride and walk. The panorama view from the castle balcony is unforgettable.
JR Gifu station
Ending Point
At JR Gifu Station
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Inclusions & Exclusions
guide fee and pick-up in a hotel in central area of Gifu city
transportation fee for guide and guests
entrance fee for guests (Gifu CIty Museum:300yen, Shobo-ji:200yen, Nagaragawa Ukai Museum:500yen)
cormorant fishing boat fee for guide and guests (adult/child:3400/1700yen per person)
lunch,tea and dinner fee for guest and guide about 5000yen/person
Tour Important Information
(example itinerary A)
・JR Gifu Station(meeting point) 13:00
・Strolling around Station Front 13:00~13:30
・Public tea house(tea break) 13:40~14:20
・Shobo-ji(Great Buddha) 14:30~15:00
・Nagaragawa Ukai Museum 15:10~16:10
・Kawara-machi 16:30~17:30
・comorant fishing 18:00~20:30
・ night view from the castle 20:30~21:30
・JR Gifu Station 22:00
(example itinerary B)
・JR Gifu Station(meeting point) 10:30
・Gifu Castle 11:00~12:20
(lunch 12:20~13:20)
・Shobo-ji(Great Buddha) 13:20~13:50
・Public tea house(tea break) 14:00~14:30
・Nagaragawa Ukai Museum 15:00~16:00
・Kawara-machi 16:20~17:30
・comorant fishing 18:00~20:30
・JR Gifu Station 21:00
*an attached video shows a scene of cormorant fishing
Important message from the guide
I can guide in Kyoto in case you support transportation fee.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Gifu Tour Reviews
“A magical village that is a must go!”
Thank you Tetsuji for the photos you took of us. We are so happy that you care so much about what you do. You are an expression of what Japan is all about; kindness and honor.
Tetsuji Y.
(35 reviews)Wow, I am very glad to have such words of praise from you. I hope you could come to Japan again and share happy moment with you and your wife.
“Takayama at its best. ”
Thank you Tetsuji for an informative and delightfully tour. Your kindness and attention to detail was appreciated.
Tetsuji Y.
(35 reviews)It is my pleasure that you are satisfied with my tour. All of your words are great encouragement to me.
“Very enjoyable visit to Shirakawago”
Tetsuji was very professional and we had a great time!
Tetsuji Y.
(35 reviews)Thank you for your appreciation. I hope you could come back to Japan and spend pleasant time together again.
