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Cormorant fishing viewing on the Nagaragawa River

Gifu Castle stands on the top of Mt. Kinka, providing stunning views of Gifu City and the surrounding areas.

Many squirrels are entertaining visitors at the Squirrel Village near the castle on the mountain.

A public tea house in Gifu Park serves 'Matcha' with a piece of Japanese confectionery 'Wagashi'.

An American family is enjoying dinner in a fishing-viewing boat.

A special dinner box: grilled sweet-fish Ayu,beef, deep-fried shrimp, a variety of vegetables, rice etc.

Gifu Private Tour - 'Ukai' or Cormorant fishing on the Nagara River. A fishing master and birds collaborate to make a one night show for guests on the river.A great actor Charlie Chaplin also enjoyed Ukai twice during his stay in Japan.

'Ukai' or Cormorant fishing on the Nagara River. A fishing master and birds collaborate to make a one night show for guests on the river.A great actor Charlie Chaplin also enjoyed Ukai twice during his stay in Japan.

Gifu Private Tour - The Nagara River hosts many midsummer events, including fireworks. The scenery consisting of fire-flowers and the castle on the mountain will provide you with lifelong memory.

The Nagara River hosts many midsummer events, including fireworks. The scenery consisting of fire-flowers and the castle on the mountain will provide you with lifelong memory.

Gifu Private Tour - Daibutsu in Shobo-ji temple houses one of the three Great Buddha statues of Japan. It stands 13.7m tall and is made of lots of paper sutras.

Daibutsu in Shobo-ji temple houses one of the three Great Buddha statues of Japan. It stands 13.7m tall and is made of lots of paper sutras.

Nagaragawa River Ukai Museum. You can learn anything about Ukai.

Kawara-mati is a photogenic traditional street-town

Handcrafted Japanese paper umbrellas and lanterns are good souvenirs.

Cormorant fishing viewing on the Nagaragawa River

Unique Experience

Joined 2015

Tetsuji Y.

4.91 / 5

(58 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

Gifu

Japanese (Native), English

9 hours

Private tour (only you and Tetsuji Y.)

Up to 6 people

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.

Itinerary

This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!

11:00 AM

Meeting Point

At JR Gifu Station

01:00 PM

JR Gifu Station

After meeting, you move around the station-front area

01:40 PM

Public tea house (Matcha-tea break) in Gifu park

02:30 PM

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.

03:10 PM

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.

04:30 PM

Kawara-machi

Strolling around the old wooden building street, you enjoy dropping in unique souvenir shops, cafe and fancy restaurants.

06:00 PM

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.

06:30 PM

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.

09:00 PM

JR Gifu station

Ending Point

At JR Gifu Station

Want to personalize this tour?

This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.

Inclusions & Exclusions

What‘s included

guide fee and pick-up in a hotel in central area of Gifu city

What‘s not included

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 supplier

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

Joined 2015

Tetsuji Y.

4.91 / 5

(58 reviews)

Identity Verified

Interview-Based Quality Checks

About Tour Guide Tetsuji Y.

Hello everyone. I am Tetsuji. I worked as a public servant in the local government for 35 years. I belonged to the department of Redevelopment, Town-Landscaping, Preserving historical areas and Architectural Guidance. (I have a national 1st-class architect license.) I devoted myself to revitalizing the city by making plans and improving infrastructure for citizens.

Gifu is located in central Japan near Nagoya. As just being the crossroads of the West and the East, there are many unique attractions that are hard to discover in hectic big cities like Tokyo or Kyoto. I had a hand in restoring and preserving some of them throughout my career and want to introduce them to tourists from abroad. That’s why I became a guide-interpreter in Gifu.

I also enjoyed traveling around the world. My favorite part of each trip was walking around the city and talking with local residents. Traveling has taught me lots of things during my lifetime. Now, I would like to help others have similar experience in Japan. Shall we enjoy fantastic journey in Gifu?

Reviews

Pascal N.

5 / 5

Oct 29, 2025

Discover Authentic Japan in Tsumago & Magome, Nakasendo

Oct 29, 2025

Gifu

5 hours 30 mins

“Wonderful hike along the historic Nakasendo trail”

We enjoyed another fantastic day with our guide, Tetsuji — this time hiking along the historic Nakasendo trail between the post towns of Magome and Tsumago. Walking through these beautifully preserved villages felt like stepping back in time to the Edo period, surrounded by wooden houses, stone paths, and serene mountain scenery. Tetsuji was, once again, an exceptional guide — kind, knowledgeable, and always attentive to our pace and interests. He shared fascinating insights about the history of the Nakasendo and the daily life of the people who once traveled this route. His explanations made the experience so much richer and more meaningful. Thanks to Tetsuji, we had an unforgettable day full of atmosphere, history, and beauty. We highly recommend him to anyone who wants to experience Japan’s heritage in an authentic and personal way.

Tetsuji Y.

I really appreciate that you and Sandra enjoyed my tour and felt comfortable asking questions, as if you were at home. I’m happy and grateful for your kind words about my work. Your curiosity about Japanese culture became the driving force that helped me naturally give my best performance. I hope you’ll come back to Japan and join my tour again in the near future—before I retire from this job!

Pascal N.

5 / 5

Oct 29, 2025

Best Choice for one-day Takayama tour

Oct 29, 2025

Gifu

7 hours 30 mins

“Great full-day tour with Tetsuji in Takayama”

We had a wonderful full-day tour with Tetsuji in Takayama and Hida-Furukawa. Takayama is a charming city nestled in the mountains, known for its beautiful old town, the Miyagawa morning market, and the peaceful Higashiyama walking course. Throughout the day, we learned so much about the region’s culture and history and experienced the area’s unique atmosphere through seeing, tasting, and exploring. Tetsuji was an excellent guide — very friendly, flexible, and always attentive to our interests. His deep knowledge of Takayama and Hida-Furukawa made every stop more meaningful. He also took us to a wonderful local restaurant, where we shared a delicious meal together in a very pleasant and authentic setting. Thanks to Tetsuji, we spent a truly memorable day filled with new impressions and experiences we would never have had on our own. We can recommend him without any hesitation!

Tetsuji Y.

Marie-eve L.

5 / 5

Oct 10, 2025

Discover Authentic Japan in Tsumago & Magome, Nakasendo

Oct 10, 2025

Gifu

7 hours

“Nakasendo trail”

Nice hiking day along the Nakasendo trail with Tetsuji. The day was well planned and we stopped at key points to have informations or see beautiful scenery. Thank you Tetsuji, we will book another activity with you again on our next trip to japan.

Tetsuji Y.

I am so happy receiving satisfaction message for my tour from you, and grateful for full marks. I am looking forward to seeing you and Francoi again.