Gifu attractions: Historic streets, hot springs and cormorant fishing

Compare Takayama walking routes, Gujo Hachiman Machinami Exchange Center, Gero Onsen and Nagara River cormorant fishing, including confirmed 2026 dates and fares.

Last checked:

  • Gifu
  • Hot springs
  • Independent travel

Gifu’s attractions can be grouped by when they can be visited: streets open for walking throughout the year, facilities with set opening hours, and seasonal activities. This page is based on official information (checked 2026-10-28). The 2027 Nagara River cormorant fishing dates and fares have not been announced in the official material, so they are not listed. Return to the Gifu travel guide.

Key points

  • Takayama: historic walking route of about 5.9 km and 2 hours (official page updated in 2016).
  • Gujo Hachiman Machinami Exchange Center: free admission, 10:00 to 16:00.
  • Nagara River cormorant fishing: 2026 season from 11 May to 15 October; adult shared-boat fare on normal days 4,200 yen.
  • Gero Onsen: Yumeguri Tegata costs 2,500 yen for 3 inns, valid for 6 months.

Three types of attractions

Category Attraction Official information
Streets that can be explored year-round Historic Takayama The municipal walking route passes Takayama Jinya, Miyagawa Morning Market, the Kusakabe and Yoshijima houses, Yatai Kaikan, old streets, Hida Takayama Town Museum and Kokubunji Temple
Facility with set hours Gujo Hachiman Machinami Exchange Center Free admission, 10:00 to 16:00
Hot spring town Gero Onsen On the Hida River; official information introduces the fountain pool, Yumeguri Tegata and day-use bathing
Seasonal activity Nagara River cormorant fishing At night, from 11 May to 15 October 2026

Takayama historic walking route

Takayama City official page (updated 24 October 2016; officials recommend checking the latest details with the City’s Health Promotion Division, telephone 0577-35-3160):

  • Distance about 5.9 km, approximately 2 hours.
  • Route in order: Takayama City Hall -> Takayama Station front -> Takayama Jinya -> Miyagawa Morning Market -> Kusakabe and Yoshijima houses and Yatai Kaikan -> old streets -> Hida Takayama Town Museum -> Citizens’ Square and Kokubunji Temple -> Takayama City Hall.
  • The official page provides place names only, without descriptions, opening hours or prices for each stop.

Gujo Hachiman Machinami Exchange Center ()

Official information from Gujo City:

Item Information
Admission Free. The second-floor training room requires payment and reservation
Hours 10:00 to 16:00
Closed Every Wednesday from April to November; Tuesdays and Wednesdays from December to March; the following day if a closure falls on a holiday; 29 December to 3 January
Displays History of the castle town, the 1919 Kitamachi fire and reconstruction, construction of Hachiman Castle, traditional streetscape architecture and conservation. Includes a 3D-printed Kitamachi model; opened March 2020
Connection with the preservation district In fiscal 2012, a part of Kitamachi in Hachiman was nationally designated an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. The center was created to introduce that area and encourage visitors to explore the old streets
Address 63-1 Tonomachi, Hachimancho, Gujo City; telephone 0575-65-5188

Gero Onsen ()

Official Gero City information:

Item Information
Features Legend says Yakushi Nyorai took the form of an injured white heron and revealed the spring. Confucian scholar Hayashi Razan counted Gero among Japan’s three famous hot springs, together with Arima and Kusatsu. Since 1974, the town has centrally managed water distribution to inns at 55 degrees
Spring water Simple alkaline hot spring, colourless, mildly scented and smooth to the touch; officially called the ‘Health Bath’ and ‘Beauty Bath’
Fountain pool Beside the Hida River, a symbol of the town where visitors can touch the spring source and take photographs. Bathing prohibited since 1 December 2021. Cleaning daily from 7:00 to 8:00
Yumeguri Tegata 2,500 yen each including tax, allows bathing at 3 of approximately 15 participating inns, valid for 6 months from purchase. Sold at participating inns, souvenir shops and convenience stores
Day-use baths Three facilities listed officially: Kuagarden open-air bath (8:00 to 20:45, closed Thursday, adult 700 yen); Shirasagi-no-Yu (10:00 to 20:45, closed Wednesday, adult 430 yen); Kounoyu (14:00 to 21:00, closed Monday and Tuesday, adult 470 yen)

The official page does not state the walking route from Gero Station to the hot spring town. Gero Station is on the JR Takayama Line and opened in 1930.

Nagara River cormorant fishing ()

Official information from Gifu City (2026 application page updated 9 April 2026):

Item Information
2026 season 11 May to 15 October; closed on 24 September 2026; may be cancelled due to high water or other conditions
Starting time Around 19:45, subject to season and activities
Shared-boat departures 18:15, 18:45, 19:15
Fares (tax included) Normal days: adults 4,200 yen, children 2,100 yen; busy days: adults 5,100 yen, children 2,600 yen. Adults are junior high school age and over; children are age 3 through elementary school; under 3 free
Busy days (2026) 11 May; 18 and 25 July; 1, 13, 14, 15, 22 and 29 August; 5, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 26 September
Reservations Reserve online or in person with the Gifu City Cormorant Fishing Observation Boat Office, 058-262-0104; accommodation packages featuring the activity are also available
  • The official fare table does not clearly state whether the prices apply to all three departure times. Confirm with the office.
  • The 2026 season has ended; official dates and fares for 2027 have not been announced.

How to choose

Your situation Suggestion
Prefer unhurried walks Historic Takayama, using the official route as a reference; first ask the city for updated information
Prefer free admission Gujo Hachiman Machinami Exchange Center is free; check closing days
Want to bathe in hot springs Gero; decide between the Yumeguri Tegata and day-use bathing
Summer evenings Nagara River cormorant fishing; first check the announced schedule for 2027

Further reading: Gifu transport and Chubu travel guide.

Sources