Japan is a country filled with nature, filled with amazing sights to see and unique activities to try, the scenes you can see change with each and every season making it hard to decide where and when to go to all of these amazing locations. In this article, we’re going to be introducing some of the most amazing places to see within Gifu and Aichi Prefecture including some beautiful nature-filled spots and traditional cultural activities native to Japan.
Gifu Prefecture
1. Check out Traditional Hearth Fireplaces in Shirakawa-gō’s Thatched-roof Houses
Shirakawa-gō was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1995.
The scenery you can see here throughout the 4 seasons is one of the traditional town’s most appealing features, cherry blossom trees in spring, pure green and sunflowers of summer, an orange gradient landscape during fall, and the snowy landscape of winter. You can take unique and interesting pictures during each and every one of these seasons, and especially special pictures during the winter light up which is famous across Japan.
The traditional steep thatched roof houses are very photogenic to look at from the outside, but if you enter inside, you’ll meet another world of Japanese history that you can experience firsthand. We especially recommend checking out the traditional sunken hearth fireplaces! Currently, even if you visit the edges of the countryside in Japan you’ll seldom find one of these sunken-hearths in the modern home, you can only really see them at specific locations nowadays such as within a hot spring ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) making them a very special existence.
Furthermore, not only these amazing fireplaces, but you can also experience a simulated living experience within these houses as well as a private tour of Gifu’s most popular products. You can even try out making some tochimochi (cake made from pounded horse chestnuts and mochi rice)! All of these have English guides available, so worry not about any language barrier.
2. Tour Gujo Hachiman’s Historic Town on Electric Bikes!
Gujo Hachiman is a riverside village which is great to explore via bicycle! If you use the electronic bike tour that's available, the electronic bike itself will help you ride around the town reducing both stress and effort, and the guide will take you down some of the lesser-known side streets to see some sights that aren't seen by many. The buildings that border the Yoshida River are historic. Check out Jionzen-ji Temple's beautiful garden, and look out over the town from atop Gujo Hachiman Castle, a surely unforgettable sight to behold!
3.Learn How to Craft a Sword from a Master Swordsmith
Gifu Prefecture's Seki is well known across Japan for its swordmaking prowess. If you're coming to Gifu Prefecture, then not taking a quick visit to the home of Japanese blades to learn how they're made is unthinkable! Seeing the blades being made at SEKI HAMONO MUSEUM by the master sword craftsmen is a real sight to behold! You can even try hitting the steel yourself (Requires reservations & fee). Within the institution, there are pamphlets and guides in English, there is also the ability to learn how to make small blades in English! Check out some of Japan's culture and history which is known around the world!
Aichi Prefecture
1.Enjoy Art and Food on Aichi Prefectures Isolated Saku Island!
Saku Island is quite small, but there are 3 very enjoyable things to do here! The first of which is exploring the various art pieces across the island. There are also various art-related events that take place on the island throughout the year.
The 2nd thing you can enjoy is the nature of the island, each individual season has its own unique sights to see, and you can enjoy walking around the island whilst checking out the wildlife. The 3rd and final is the food! With Mikawa Bay's seafood products and delicious vegetables, there is so much to try.
2.Check out the Retro "Pottery Walk" and Ceramics Painting
Tokoname is known as the town of pottery in Japan and has a pottery walk which you can check out. It's just 5 minutes walk from Moyori Station and Tokoname Station by taking the Meitetsu train from Chubu Centrair International Airport! And just 10 minutes to the pottery walk. If you have around 3 to 3 1/2 hours to spare, you can enjoy both these activities as well as being able to check out the surrounding sightseeing spots.
The walk itself begins around 5~10 minutes from Tokoname Station at the Ceramics Exhibition hall and has 2 unique courses, the first being approximately 1 hour long and 1.6 kilometers in length known as A course, and the second B course, being 2 and a half hours in length and 4 kilometers in total. Either course allows you to see Japan's historic and cultural townscape, and you can see various sights such as the protective cat "Tokonyan" and Dokanzaka (Clay Pipe Hill), you can even check out the inside of the kiln by checking out the climbing kiln, there are many spots to take great photographs. There are lots of bars, cafes, and souvenir stores along the course, so you can pick up everything you need along your journey. There is also a location where you can try out ceramics painting. This is the only place in the world where you can create these unique ceramics!
3. Try Real Green Tea in Nishio!
Nishio is famous for its green tea. "Nishio Green Tea" is born from the luscious surrounding nature and rivers as well as the warm climate and has over 730 years of history. Within the city, there are many places where you can try out Nishio green tea, with its sweetness, flavor, and fragrance, you can enjoy it to the fullest.
We also highly recommend the sweets! You can eat them whilst exploring the city. There are also places where you can see how the green tea is made as well as a museum that you can study interesting exhibitions at. It takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes to reach Nishio Station from the pottery walk via the Meitetsu train, and we recommend mixing in some walking with the train.
- Make nostalgic experience on your heart Gifu & Aichi Nature / Activity
⇒ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVcKOg3vfdI - Make nostalgic experience on your heart Gifu & Aichi History / Traditional Culture
⇒ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzhxsiiyvOQ - Make nostalgic experience on your heart Gifu & Aichi(Short Version)
⇒ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3xJ8mXehos
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