Gifu

Gifu (岐阜) is the capital and largest city in Gifu Prefecture. Though at the prefectural level Mie has the higher population, Gifu City has a significantly larger population than any city in all of Mie and is thus a major city.

Getting There from Mie

By Train

First, get yourself to Nagoya Station using either Kintetsu or JR.

Meitetsu is to southern Gifu-ken as Kintetsu is to northern Mie-ken. Thus, from Nagoya Station, you have two options: JR or Meitetsu. Both run basically the exact same route between Nagoya and Gifu City and are similar in price, though JR tends to be a bit on the cheaper and faster side.

The trip from Nagoya to Gifu should take approximately 25-30 minutes. Walking between the JR and Meitetsu stations takes less than five minutes.

Getting Around Town

Gifu has good bus service running out of both stations. These can take you to all of the main places you'll be looking to go.

Rental Cycles

For those that want more mobility, the city government funds a fabulous rental cycle system. For just ¥100, you can explore the town via bike instead of walking or busing. The system is fairly new and the bikes are in very good condition. The city has great sidewalks and a number of covered shopping streets so getting around is safe and easy.

You can pick up a bike out the south exit of JR Gifu Station. Turn left out the exit of the station, the bike racks and rental building are at the far end of the area in front of the station. Bikes can be kept overnight, however be aware that whatever day you return the bikes, it must be done by 7:00pm.

Most of the major tourist sites are located near Gifu Park, and this area can be reached in approximately 25 minutes from Gifu Station.

Food and Drink

Shopping streets radiate out from Meitetsu Gifu Station and feature an impressive selection of foods.

Accommodations

Features the standard selection of business hotels, and there is a collection of love hotels just southwest of JR Gifu Station. A few manga cafes as well. Not much in the way of hostels though.

Nearby

• Takayama

  Gifu is the gateway for trains and buses heading up to Takayama and the Hida region.

• Gero

  One of Japan's Three Great Onsens, about two-thirds of the way to Takayama.

• Inuyama

  Home to many diverse tourist attractions, this northern Aichi city is only 30 minutes east of Gifu on the Meitetsu.

• Sekigahara (関ヶ原)

  History buffs will recognize Sekigahara as the location of Japan's great East vs. West battle that led to the rise of Tokugawa Shogunate in Tokyo and decline of Kyoto and Osaka. A 30 minute ride west of Gifu on the JR Tōkaidō Main Line will get you to Sekigahara Station, and from there the battlefield as well as a museum are about 15 minutes north of the station on foot.

• Nagoya

  Under 30 minutes from Gifu.

Links

• Gifu - Wikitravel
• Experience Beautiful Gifu