Slipping into a hot spring is a common practice in Japan. Gero City, located two hours north of Gifu City, one hour east of Nakatsugawa and one hour south of Takayama, is famous for its onsens (hot springs). Gero city sits on either side of the Hida River on the border between the northern Hida and ..
In the northwest corner Gifu nestled in the Ryohaku Mountains shadow of Mount Haku, one of Japan's sacred mountains, is Shirakawa village. Shirakawa villages hosts the site of Shirakawa-go, a small traditional village showcasing rice-stalk style roofed buildings called gassho-zukuri. Together w..
Takayama is the largest city in the northern region of Hida. Though it's population is only 92,000, the area is 2,177.67 km2 which is only 10 km2 smaller than Tokyo but with a fraction of the population. It may not have the night life of Tokyo or even that of southern Gifu but what it does have..
Takayama in central Japan’s Gifu Prefecture is a beautiful destination for several reasons - a well-preserved Edo Period old town, its spring and autumn festivals (considered to rank among Japan’s three most famous), and wonderful people ..
Takayama is a beautiful city in central Japan’s Gifu Prefecture. Known for its well-preserved and picturesque old town, Takayama features narrow streets lined with historical shops and warehouses, a testament to the city’s history as a we..
I know I have only been in Japan for one week, but I think I have already enjoyed the finest coffee available in the country. And, at only ¥300 for a latte, I suspect it was probably the cheapest one of such quality I am likely to find for the ne..
Gero Onsen is considered one of the three most famous onsen in Japan and is the perfect place to relax and unwind for a day or two. Gero is located in a peaceful resort area between Nagoya and Takayama. Being an onsen town most accommodation options ..
The Wide View Hida cuts through a deep green cleft as it enters and travels through Gifu Prefecture, rolling along a high handsome train trestle erected over a cool rushing river lined with great slabs of striated stone. The water foams blue and whit..
Nestled in the heart of Gifu Prefecture's Hida Mountain Range is the Kazeya Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. The area, known as the Japan Alps, truly takes on an alpine atmosphere with the white birch, cedar, and pine trees dotting the idyllic..
Magome was the last of three post towns in the Kiso Valley that I visited with my friends. The other two post towns were Narai and Tsumago, and in comparison, Magome wasn’t as impressive as I had envisioned. There are not as many old houses, bu..
Use the word “samurai” anywhere in the world, and people will immediately acknowledge Japan’s ancient warriors: men of great bravery, loyalty and determination, with excellent weapons and skills to match. Samurai are instantly recog..
There are many tourist destinations in Hida region of Gifu such as the Gero hot springs, “Little Kyoto” in Hida-Takayama, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawago village. Compared to these tourist magnets, at first glance, it ma..
