Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県)

Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県) is a landlocked prefecture in the Chubu Region of Honshu in central Japan. Gifu shares a border with seven prefectures namely Toyama Prefecture to the north, Nagano Prefecture to the east; Aichi Prefecture and Mie Prefecture to the south, Shiga Prefecture to the southwest; and Fukui Prefecture and Ishikawa Prefecture to the west.

Gifu Prefecture is the 7th biggest of the 47 prefectures of Japan, covering 10,621 sq km. It has a population of over 2 million people, placing it in 18th position. The prefectural capital is Gifu City.

Magome-juku medieval village, Gifu Prefecture


Gifu Prefecture comprises five provinces, namely Seino, Gifu, Chuno, Tono and Hida. The Japanese Alps, a generic term that may include the Hida Mountains and the Kiso Mountains, are covers parts of the prefecture. There is also an alluvial plain formed by the Ibi River, Kiso River and Nagara River.

Historically, Gifu Prefecture is renowned as a center for the swordmaking industry, with the city of Seki producing some of the best in the country. In modern times, Gifu has excelled in the field of fashion, centered on Gifu City, and aerospace engineering, centered on Kakamigahara.

Yoro Waterfall, Gifu Prefecture

Going to Gifu Prefecture

By Plane
If you are coming direct from overseas, arrive at the Chubu Centrair International Airport and take a train of the Meitetsu Line to Gifu City for ¥1310. The journey takes an hour.

By Train
Take the JR Tokaido Main Line which stops in Gifu City on its way between Nagoya and Osaka. Alternatively the Tokaido Shinkansen makes a stop at Hashima, on the southern part of Gifu Prefecture. From Tokyo, you can combine the above two: take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya, then take the JR Tokaido Main Line to Gifu City. The journey takes about 2 hours 15 minutes and costs ¥11,190 for the Nozomi bullet trains and ¥10,990 for the Hikari bullet trains.

Zenkoji Temple, Gifu Prefecture

Cities of Gifu Prefecture

Tourist Attractions of Gifu Prefecture

Specialties of Gifu Prefecture

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