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. Key sights and travel highlights across the prefecture 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.
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. 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,朴葉みそ hoba-miso on magnolia leaf)
- Takayama ramen
- Gohei mochi (walnut-miso grilled rice cakes)
- Ayu (sweetfish) from clear rivers
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 22 cities & municipalities in Gifu Prefecture
Click any city below for its individual travel guide, demographics, rail access, food specialties, and nearby 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 |