Gifu Crossroads

Takayama Spring Festival
14th – 15th April

Renowned as one of Japan’s most beautiful festivals, this traditional festival happens in spring and autumn of each year. The main attraction is the procession of fabulous floats and the meticulously crafted marionettes that ride on them, and watching them pass through the picturesque locales of Takayama City.

Approximately 12 minute walk from JR Takayama Station.

Tarai Boat River Cruise
19th April – 6th May

Based on an old legend in which, after the Battle of Sekigahara, the daughter of one of the retainers on the losing side escaped downriver in a washtub. Only open for a few weeks of the year, you can enjoy the cherry blossoms as you peacefully float along the water.
Seven minute walk from JR Ogaki Station.

Dosan Festival
5th – 6th April

One of Gifu City’s largest festivals, it celebrates the memory of Dosan Saito, whose actions led to the establishment of Gifu City. A bustling festival with a variety of exciting activities to enjoy, one can experience vibrant crowds and beautiful floats in downtown Gifu City! Come for the free markets, marching bands and more! For a real treat, visit Inaba Shrine on the Saturday night to see floats decorated with enchanting lanterns illuminate the darkness!
Just a five minute walk from JR Gifu Station.

Tejikara Fire Festival
12th April

An electrifying display of masculinity and pyrotechnics, this festival centers around legions of men who are naked from the waist-up carrying portable shrines stocked full of gunpowder. After setting them ablaze, flames spew from the shrines and rain down upon the festival’s participants, who dance to the deafening cacophony of bells of and firecrackers. Only happening twice a year, once in the Spring and once in the Summer, this festival is not to be missed!
Hosted at Tejikara-o Shrine, which is a five minute walk from Tejikara Station.

Hida Satoyama Cycling

The perfect opportunity to get a much closer look at the picturesque rural scenery of Hida Furukawa, Satoyama Cycling gives you everything you need to get up and personal with traditional Japan. Bikes, helmets, and an English guide are all included as part of the package, so all you need to do is have a wonderful time exploring the Japanese countryside.
With several different courses available, visitors can choose between a shorter half-course that has you go to the main attractions of Hida Furukawa, or the standard course that even takes you up into the surrounding mountains. Fun for the whole family, and if you’re not careful you might just learn something!
Seven minute walk from JR Hida Furukawa Station.

Rail Mountain Bike – Gattan Go!!
April 12 – November 24

An excellent experience for fans of light exercise and the great outdoors, Gattan Go!! is a breezy ride on a mountain bike that has been refitted to travel along an abandoned rail line in the Hida Kamioka area near Takayama. Pass over rivers, through tunnels and along the mountains as you take in the beautiful view of a rustic, untouched and once abandoned area of Gifu. Different types of bikes that require more or less effort and stamina than the standard are available, so the experience can be tailored to fit your needs!
45-minute drive from Hida Furukawa.