Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview of Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県)
Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県) is located in the Chubu region of Japan, with its prefectural capital at Gifu and primary transport gateway at Gifu Station, Gifu-Hashima (Shinkansen) & Takayama Station. Spanning 42 cities, towns, and villages, Gifu is renowned for 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.
| Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県) Quick Facts | 2026/2027 Travel Reference |
|---|---|
| Region & Capital | Chubu · Capital: Gifu |
| Primary Rail / Transit Hub | Gifu Station, Gifu-Hashima (Shinkansen) & Takayama Station |
| Municipalities Covered | 42 cities, towns, wards & villages |
| Top Sightseeing Bases | Gifu (岐阜市), Ōgaki (大垣市), Kakamigahara (各務原市), Tajimi (多治見市), Kani (可児市) |
| Best Season to Visit | Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov) |
| Signature Regional Food | Hida wagyu beef (nigiri, skewers, and hoba-miso (朴葉みそ) on magnolia leaf), Takayama ramen, Gohei mochi (walnut-miso grilled rice cakes), Ayu (sweetfish) from clear rivers |
Top Cities, Towns & Sightseeing Bases in Gifu Prefecture
Whether you are basing in the prefectural capital of Gifu or planning regional day trips from Gifu Station, Gifu-Hashima (Shinkansen) & Takayama Station, these top municipalities in Gifu Prefecture offer the richest concentration of cultural landmarks, rail links, and dining:
- Gifu (岐阜市) — Core city (pop. 412,779, 202.89 km²) served by Gifu Station (岐阜駅) (1.6 km); key local sights include Gifu Castle & Mount Kinka Ropeway, Nagara River Ukai (Cormorant Fishing), Kawaramachi Historic Merchant Quarter.
- Ōgaki (大垣市) — City (pop. 163,047, 206.52 km²) served by Ōgaki Station (大垣駅) (1.0 km); key local sights include Akasaka-juku, the 56th station on the Nakasendō, Basho's Oku no Hosomichi Haiku Journey Memorial, Kokubun-ji ruins.
- Kakamigahara (各務原市) — City (pop. 145,126, 87.77 km²) served by Kakamigahara-shiyakushomae Station (各務原市役所前駅) (0.2 km); key local sights include Gifu World Fresh Water Aquarium, Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum, Gongen Mountain (5.5 km).
- Tajimi (多治見市) — City (pop. 114,866, 91.24 km²) served by Tajimi Station (多治見駅) (1.1 km); key local sights include Eihō-ji, a Zen monastery, Gifu Prefectural Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Mino International Ceramics Festival.
- Kani (可児市) — City (pop. 99,318, 87.60 km²) served by Kani Station (可児駅) (0.6 km); key local sights include Takayashiro Mountain (8.5 km), Inuyama Castle (11.8 km), Amagoi Mountain (13.4 km).
- Takayama (高山市) — City (pop. 94,879, 2,177.67 km²) served by Takayama Station (高山駅) (0.5 km); key local sights include Kusakabe Folk Museum is a local museum in an old merchant's home., Hida Tōshō-gū shrine, Akahogi Tile Kiln Site, a National Historic Site.
How to get to Gifu Prefecture
20m from Nagoya Station to Gifu on JR rapid trains; 2h 25m from Nagoya to Takayama on the scenic JR Limited Express Hida. Once at Gifu Station, Gifu-Hashima (Shinkansen) & Takayama Station, JR regional lines, private commuter railways, and local highway buses connect travelers across all 42 municipalities in Gifu. Use our Shinkansen Fare & Route Calculator and JR Pass Value Helper to compare rail tickets and regional passes.
Signature local food in Gifu
When visiting cities across Gifu, look out for these regional specialties at station restaurants, markets, and local izakaya:
- Hida wagyu beef (nigiri, skewers, and hoba-miso (朴葉みそ) on magnolia leaf) — regional culinary specialty across Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県).
- Takayama ramen — regional culinary specialty across Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県).
- Gohei mochi (walnut-miso grilled rice cakes) — regional culinary specialty across Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県).
- Ayu (sweetfish) from clear rivers — regional culinary specialty across Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県).
Best time to visit Gifu
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.
All 42 cities & municipalities in Gifu Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, local landmarks, nearest rail station, food specialties, and 5 closest neighboring stops:
| City (Kanji) | Type / Status | Population | Area | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gifu 岐阜市 | Core city | 412,779 | 202.89 km² | City guide → |
| Ōgaki 大垣市 | City | 163,047 | 206.52 km² | City guide → |
| Takayama 高山市 | City | 94,879 | 2,177.67 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Tajimi 多治見市 | City | 114,866 | 91.24 km² | City guide → |
| Seki 関市 | City | 92,896 | 472.84 km² | City guide → |
| Nakatsugawa 中津川市 | City | 83,116 | 676.38 km² | City guide → |
| Mino 美濃市 | City | 22,912 | 117.05 km² | City guide → |
| Mizunami 瑞浪市 | City | 41,556 | 175.00 km² | City guide → |
| Hashima 羽島市 | City | 67,167 | 53.64 km² | City guide → |
| Minokamo 美濃加茂市 | City | 53,988 | 74.81 km² | City guide → |
| Toki 土岐市 | City | 61,393 | 116.01 km² | City guide → |
| Kakamigahara 各務原市 | City | 145,126 | 87.77 km² | City guide → |
| Kani 可児市 | City | 99,318 | 87.60 km² | City guide → |
| Yamagata 山県市 | City | 29,857 | 222.04 km² | City guide → |
| Mizuho 瑞穂市 | City | 51,230 | 28.18 km² | City guide → |
| Hida 飛騨市 | City | 28,112 | 792.31 km² | City guide → |
| Motosu 本巣市 | City | 34,729 | 374.57 km² | City guide → |
| Gujō 郡上市 | City | 46,338 | 1,030.79 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Gero 下呂市 | City | 37,455 | 851.06 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Ena 恵那市 | City | 54,844 | 504.19 km² | City guide → |
| Kaizu 海津市 | City | 38,532 | 112.31 km² | City guide → |
| Shirakawa-go 白川村 | UNESCO heritage village | 1,511 | 356.64 km² | City guide → · Flagship guide |
| Yōrō 養老町 | Town (町) | 31,476 | 72.29 km² | City guide → |
| Yaotsu 八百津町 | Town (町) | 12,004 | 128.79 km² | City guide → |
| Tomika 富加町 | Town (町) | 5,720 | 57.09 km² | City guide → |
| Tarui 垂井町 | Town (町) | 28,529 | 57.09 km² | City guide → |
| Shirakawa 白川町 | Town (町) | 9,425 | 237.9 km² | City guide → |
| Hichisō 七宗町 | Town (町) | 4,350 | 7.91 km² | City guide → |
| Sekigahara 関ケ原町 | Town (町) | 7,859 | 49.28 km² | City guide → |
| Sakahogi 坂祝町 | Town (町) | 8,288 | 12.87 km² | City guide → |
| Ōno 大野町 | Town (町) | 24,096 | 803.44 km² | City guide → |
| Mitake 御嵩町 | Town (町) | 19,001 | 56.69 km² | City guide → |
| Kitagata 北方町 | Town (町) | 18,503 | 5.18 km² | City guide → |
| Kawabe 川辺町 | Town (町) | 10,563 | 41.16 km² | City guide → |
| Kasamatsu 笠松町 | Town (町) | 22,448 | 10.3 km² | City guide → |
| Ikeda 池田町 | Town (町) | 24,868 | 38.8 km² | City guide → |
| Ibigawa 揖斐川町 | Town (町) | 23,252 | 803.44 km² | City guide → |
| Higashishirakawa 東白川村 | Village (村) | 2,575 | 87.09 km² | City guide → |
| Ginan 岐南町 | Town (町) | 24,479 | 7.91 km² | City guide → |
| Anpachi 安八町 | Town (町) | 15,330 | 18.16 km² | City guide → |
| Wanouchi 輪之内町 | Town (町) | 9,969 | 22.33 km² | City guide → |
| Gōdo 神戸町 | Town (町) | 20,088 | 18.78 km² | City guide → |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best places and cities to visit in Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県)?
Top highlights across Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県) in Japan's Chubu region include 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. Major cities and sightseeing bases in Gifu include Gifu (岐阜市), Ōgaki (大垣市), Kakamigahara (各務原市), Tajimi (多治見市), Kani (可児市).
How do I get to Gifu Prefecture and get around by train?
The primary rail and transit hub for Gifu Prefecture is Gifu Station, Gifu-Hashima (Shinkansen) & Takayama Station (prefectural capital: Gifu). 20m from Nagoya Station to Gifu on JR rapid trains; 2h 25m from Nagoya to Takayama on the scenic JR Limited Express Hida. Compare bullet-train fares with our Shinkansen Fare Calculator and JR Pass Calculator.
What local food and regional dishes is Gifu Prefecture famous for?
Signature regional specialties across Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県) include Hida wagyu beef (nigiri, skewers, and hoba-miso (朴葉みそ) on magnolia leaf), Takayama ramen, Gohei mochi (walnut-miso grilled rice cakes), Ayu (sweetfish) from clear rivers—served at station restaurants around Gifu Station, Gifu-Hashima (Shinkansen) & Takayama Station, local morning markets, and izakaya in Gifu and Ōgaki.
When is the best time of year to visit Gifu Prefecture?
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. Check month-by-month weather, cherry blossom windows, and autumn foliage dates in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.