Gifu travel guide: Exploring Hida and Mino
Choose between historic Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Gero Onsen, Gujo Hachiman and Nagara River cormorant fishing, with links to transport and attraction guides.
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Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県) can be approached in two directions. In the north, Hida (飛騨) includes Takayama’s historic streets, Gero Onsen and Shirakawa-go. In southern Mino (美濃), there are the castle town of Gujo Hachiman and cormorant fishing on the Nagara River. This page uses a decision table to help you choose, with detailed transport and attractions on the linked pages. Return to the Chubu travel guide.
Key points
- The Gifu Prefectural Government defines the Hida area as Takayama City, Hida City, Gero City and Shirakawa Village: 3 cities and 1 village, covering roughly four-tenths of the prefecture.
- Buses between Takayama and Shirakawa-go take about 50 minutes. For travel towards Kanazawa, see Gifu transport.
- Gujo Hachiman Machinami Exchange Center has free admission. The 2026 Nagara River cormorant fishing season ran from 11 May to 15 October.
Choose by interest
| Interest | Where to go | Official information | Detailed page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historic-street walks | Takayama (高山) | Takayama’s historic walking route passes Takayama Jinya, Miyagawa Morning Market and old streets; about 5.9 km and 2 hours in total (page updated October 2016) | Gifu attractions by category |
| Gassho-style village | Shirakawa-go (白川郷) | No nearby railway station; transfer to an express bus terminating at Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal | Gifu transport |
| Hot springs | Gero (下呂温泉) | Hot spring town on the Hida River, with simple alkaline water; officially described as one of Japan’s three famous hot springs | Gifu attractions by category |
| Castle towns | Gujo Hachiman (郡上八幡) | Part of Kitamachi is a nationally designated Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings; Machinami Exchange Center introduces the town’s history | Gifu attractions by category |
| Traditional night activities | Nagara River (長良川) | Shared cormorant fishing observation boats; see the attractions guide for the 2026 season and fares | Gifu attractions by category |
In-depth articles
- Walking through old Takayama: Jinya, morning markets and historic neighbourhoods
- Visiting Shirakawa-go: Gassho village, parking, buses and etiquette
- Gero Onsen guide: Day baths, the Yumeguri Tegata pass and accommodation choices
Guides on this site
- Gifu transport: Connections among Nagoya, Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa
- Gifu attractions by category: Old streets, Gujo, hot springs and cormorant fishing
Notes
- Official sources do not provide average accommodation prices comparable across all Gifu areas, so none are listed.
- Prices and times vary by date. Each page includes official sources and checking dates.
- For information applicable across Japan, see Japan travel essentials.
Sources
- 岐阜縣｜飛驒地域 (www.pref.gifu.lg.jp, checked 2026-10-28)
- 高山市｜高山歷史散步路線 (www.city.takayama.lg.jp, checked 2026-10-28)
- 郡上市｜郡上八幡町並交流館 (www.city.gujo.gifu.jp, checked 2026-10-28)
- 下呂市｜下呂溫泉 (www.city.gero.lg.jp, checked 2026-10-28)
More about Gifu travel guide: Exploring Hida and Mino
- Gifu attractions: Historic streets, hot springs and cormorant fishingCompare Takayama walking routes, Gujo Hachiman Machinami Exchange Center, Gero Onsen and Nagara River cormorant fishing, including confirmed 2026 dates and fares.
- Gifu transport: Buses between Nagoya, Takayama and Shirakawa-goReview express buses linking Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa, including the December 2026 fare revision, reservation restrictions and driving and parking information.