Things to Do in Motosu (本巣市), Gifu: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Motosu (本巣市) in Gifu Prefecture (Chubu, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Usuzumi Zakura (1,500-Year-Old Cherry Tree in Neo Valley), Neodani Fault Museum (Special Natural Monument), Soukei Otsuka Kofun and served by Motosu Station (本巣駅) (1.0 km) via the regional hub at Gifu Station, Gifu-Hashima (Shinkansen) & Takayama Station. Set at 35 m elevation (35.4830°N, 136.6786°E), Motosu offers travelers a base for sampling regional Hida wagyu beef (nigiri, skewers, and hoba-miso (朴葉みそ) on magnolia leaf), Takayama ramen, Gohei mochi (walnut-miso grilled rice cakes) cuisine and exploring neighboring Ōno (大野町) (5 km), Kitagata (北方町) (5.9 km), Yamagata (山県市) (9.6 km), Gōdo (神戸町) (9.8 km).

Motosu is located in western Gifu Prefecture. Mount Nōgōhaku, on the border between Motosu and Fukui Prefecture is the highest point in the city, with an elevation of 1116 m. The area around Motosu was part of traditional Mino Province. During the Edo period, much of the area was under the control of Ogaki Domain under the Tokugawa shogunate. On April 29, 2006, Malera Gifu opened on Mitsuhashi, one of the main roads of Motosu. Within Gifu Prefecture, Motosu (本巣市) serves as a city in Gifu Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2004-02-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Preserved Edo streets of Takayama, UNESCO thatched farmhouses of Shirakawa-go, Gero Onsen (one of Japan's Three Famous Springs), Gifu Castle, Gujo Hachiman, and Magome-juku.

What to See & Do in Motosu (本巣市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Motosu (本巣市) from Motosu Station (本巣駅) (1.0 km) at 35 m elevation (35.4830°N, 136.6786°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Motosu):

• Usuzumi Zakura (1,500-Year-Old Cherry Tree in Neo Valley) — local sightseeing landmark near Motosu (本巣市).
• Neodani Fault Museum (Special Natural Monument) — local sightseeing landmark near Motosu (本巣市).
• Soukei Otsuka Kofun — local sightseeing landmark near Motosu (本巣市).
• Hotaru Park — local sightseeing landmark near Motosu (本巣市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Motosu: Motosu Station (本巣駅) (1.0 km) (connecting to Gifu Station, Gifu-Hashima (Shinkansen) & Takayama Station).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Motosu

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Motosu (本巣市) and Motosu Station (本巣駅) (1.0 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Gifu Prefecture and Chubu:

• Ōno (大野町) — 5 km from Motosu (Gifu Prefecture)
• Kitagata (北方町) — 5.9 km from Motosu (Gifu Prefecture)
• Yamagata (山県市) — 9.6 km from Motosu (Gifu Prefecture)
• Gōdo (神戸町) — 9.8 km from Motosu (Gifu Prefecture)
• Gifu (岐阜市) — 10 km from Motosu (Gifu Prefecture)

Getting to Motosu & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Motosu (本巣市) via Motosu Station (本巣駅) (1.0 km): 20m from Nagoya Station to Gifu on JR rapid trains; 2h 25m from Nagoya to Takayama on the scenic JR Limited Express Hida. From Gifu Station, Gifu-Hashima (Shinkansen) & Takayama Station, transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Motosu Station (本巣駅) (1.0 km) to reach central Motosu (35.4830°N, 136.6786°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Motosu Station (本巣駅) (1.0 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Gifu with Motosu (本巣市) and neighboring Ōno, Kitagata, Yamagata. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Motosu, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Motosu and continuing toward Ōno can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Motosu: While Motosu Station (本巣駅) (1.0 km) anchors public transit for Motosu, picking up a rental car at Gifu Station, Gifu-Hashima (Shinkansen) & Takayama Station makes it easy to link Usuzumi Zakura (1,500-Year-Old Cherry Tree in Neo Valley) and Neodani Fault Museum (Special Natural Monument) with nearby Ōno (大野町) (5 km), Kitagata (北方町) (5.9 km), Yamagata (山県市) (9.6 km), Gōdo (神戸町) (9.8 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Motosu (本巣市) & Gifu

Dining near Motosu Station (本巣駅) (1.0 km) and across Motosu (本巣市) highlights the regional food culture of Gifu Prefecture and Chubu. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Motosu:

• Local specialty & terroir of Motosu (本巣市): nashi pear orchards and seasonal fruit farming alongside sweet cherry (sakuranbo) orchards and highland fruit farming.
• Hida wagyu beef (nigiri, skewers, and hoba-miso (朴葉みそ) on magnolia leaf) — regional specialty enjoyed across Motosu (本巣市) and Gifu Prefecture.
• Takayama ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Motosu (本巣市) and Gifu Prefecture.
• Gohei mochi (walnut-miso grilled rice cakes) — regional specialty enjoyed across Motosu (本巣市) and Gifu Prefecture.
• Ayu (sweetfish) from clear rivers — regional specialty enjoyed across Motosu (本巣市) and Gifu Prefecture.

If you are dining in Motosu (本巣市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Motosu Station (本巣駅) (1.0 km).

Where to Stay in Motosu (本巣市)

Visitors staying overnight in Motosu (本巣市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Motosu Station (本巣駅) (1.0 km), or base at major rail hubs in Gifu (Gifu Station, Gifu-Hashima (Shinkansen) & Takayama Station) or neighboring Ōno, Kitagata, Yamagata for quick train access into Motosu. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Motosu & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Motosu (本巣市, 35 m elevation at 35.4830°N, 136.6786°E): April 14–15 & October 9–10 for the Takayama Festival; May–October for Gujo Odori & Nagara River cormorant fishing (ukai); Jan–Feb for snow-draped Shirakawa-go.

Wider sightseeing across Gifu Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Usuzumi Zakura (1,500-Year-Old Cherry Tree in Neo Valley) in Motosu (本巣市) includes: Preserved Edo streets of Takayama, UNESCO thatched farmhouses of Shirakawa-go, Gero Onsen (one of Japan's Three Famous Springs), Gifu Castle, Gujo Hachiman, and Magome-juku.

Practical Travel Tips for Motosu (本巣市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Motosu: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Gifu Station, Gifu-Hashima (Shinkansen) & Takayama Station or Motosu Station (本巣駅) (1.0 km) for local bus schedules to Usuzumi Zakura (1,500-Year-Old Cherry Tree in Neo Valley) and walking maps of Motosu (本巣市).
• Cash & ATMs in Motosu: Convenience stores and major hotels around Motosu Station (本巣駅) (1.0 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Usuzumi Zakura (1,500-Year-Old Cherry Tree in Neo Valley) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Motosu accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Motosu: Around Motosu Station (本巣駅) (1.0 km) and neighboring Ōno, Kitagata, Yamagata, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.