Southwest Gifu 〜 Discover the Beauty of CHUBU - Start out from the Chubu Centrair International Airport -

Experience nostalgic villages, </p>clear streams, photogenic art, <br>and the history of the samurai

Let's go on a unique drive and see some nostalgic villages and learn all about the history of the samurai! Get a feel for the way of life of the locals, experience the surrounding nature that differs throughout the four seasons, and learn about the samurai through the battlegrounds on which they fought, diving into a world of living modern art... Since you're in a car the route you take is up to you! Let's try new and interesting experiences in the Chūbu region.

  • SEKIGAHARA(Site of Sekigahara Battleground)
    Step Back in Time and Experience Japan's History and Culture.

  • Sekigahara - the battleground of the samurai!
    Get to know Japan's history up close and personal

    The Battle of Sekigahara is a famous event in history that changed Japan as a whole. Within the town of Sekigahara you can find the battleground itself as well as museums which have various items and materials relating to the event, you can even try on some actual samurai armour for yourself and take some commemorative pictures! Don't forget to check out Mount Ibuki during your drive which was chosen as one of Japan's top 100 mountains!

  • Armour Experience

  • Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum

Recommended driving itinerary | Experience

  • 1Tanigumi Kegon-ji Temple

    A historic temple that was founded in 798 and has been designated as a Japanese heritage site. Known as "Tanigumi-san" by the locals, it is also a spot famous f

  • 2YADOYA IBIGAWA

    A shrine where you can spend the night in the facility in the precincts of Yamato Shrine in Ibigawa, Gifu Prefecture. You can experience the good old traditional Japanese

  • 3Roadside Station - Pallettepia-ono

    The largest roadside station in Gifu with a unique, circular shaped corridor. Inside the facility, there are shops selling local products such as fresh vegetables, a bakery, and a restaurant where you can enjoy local dishes and seasonal desserts.

  • 4Gifu Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum

    An aerospace museum in Kakamigahara, also known as “the city of airplanes” due to its large number of aircraft manufacturing factories. The actual aircraft are exhibited both indoors and outdoors,

  • 5Sekigahara Sasaoyama Tourism Center / Armour Experience

    Visitors can experience dressing up in armour at the Sekigahara Sasaoyama Tourism Center (admission fee applicable)! From Ashigaru to Sengoku warlord,

  • 6Site of Sekigahara Battleground

    The site where the ferocious "Battle of Sekigahara" was fought which is famous in Japanese history. Here you will find stone monuments, the Tokugawa family crest flag,

  • 7Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum

    A museum where you can experience the ancient battlefield of Sekigahara. As well as exhibitions of historical artefacts, there is an observatory room with 360 degree glass panel

  • 8Sekigahara Tourism Center (Iza! Sekigahara)

    Sekigahara Station Tourist Exchange Centre offers tourist information, souvenir shops, spaces to have a break, etc. in the hall, which is a convenient spot as a base for visiting the ancient battlefield.

  • 9Yoro Park

    A city park packed with fun things to see and do such as Yoro Waterfall, which has been selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan,

  • 10Chiyoho Inari Shrine

    Inari Shrine, nicknamed "Ochobo-san," is even popular with the locals. It is said to be a shrine that grants prosperous business and family safety.

  • 11Roadside Station - Tsukimi no Sato Nanno

    Located at the foot of the Yoro Mountains, this roadside station boasts the largest area in the prefecture, covering approximately 21,000

  • 12Kiso Sansen National Park - Kiso Sansen Park Centre

    Located in the centre of the water town area, the magnificent streams of three major rivers, the Kiso, Nagara, and Ibi rivers can be seen from the 65m observation tower.

  • 13Koi no Tsuribashi

    A wooden suspension bridge that runs across the Ibi River. Go across the swaying bridge, ring the "bell of love" on the opposite side, and offer an Ema tablet and pray.

  • 14Mount Ikeda

    A popular sightseeing spot in Gifu that has been selected as one of the “100 best night views”. From around the 8th station, a vast plain sprawls out beneath you,

  • 15Yana

    There are lots of clear streams that flow through Ibigawa, and they are famous for their sweetfish. The traditional fishing method for catching

  • 16Mount Ibuki

    Sitting at an altitude of 1,377m, Mount Ibuki straddles the border between Shiga and Gifu. It is also a scenic spot that has been selected as one of the 100

  • 17Mirai Shokudo

    Mirai Shokudo - a restaurant where you can relax and enjoy homemade lunches made using seasonal local ingredients. The battlefield of "Battle of Sekigahara"

  • 18Yoro Yakiniku Highway

    If you go along prefectural Route 65 from Sekigahara to Yoro-cho, there are a number of facilities serving tasty, popular and affordable Yakiniku.

  • 19Yoro Waterfall

    Yoro Waterfall is one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan, it looks magnificent with the water falling from a height of 30m and a width of approximately 4m.

  • 20Site of Reversible Destiny

    An interactive work of art that realises the design concept of world-famous artist Shusaku Arakawa and partner poet Madeline Gins. Spots such as the main pavilion

Model Course for Southwest Gifu (2 Nights 3 Days)

A 3-Day Drive Trip
Deep in
Japan's Chūbu
Region

Explore areas around southwest Gifu Prefecture which is not easily accessed when using public transport and find brand new places which you've never seen before.
Visit the historic samurai region that changed Japan's history forever Sekigahara as well as the local & lively Chiyoho Inari Shrine. Take a small rental car and experience the local foods, culture, and history in this 2 night 3 day course.

Day 1

  • 90
    min.

    8:30

    Chubu Centrair International Airport
    Rent a Rental Car and Depart.

  • Kakamigahara

    1

    90
    min.

    10:00-11:30

    Explore the Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum
    and/or the Oasis Park.

  • Ibigawa

    2

    30
    min.

    13:00-14:00

    Enjoy tasty sweetfish dishes at Yana.

    3

    30
    min.

    14:30-16:00

    Enjoy a stroll around Kegonji Temple
    and Monzenmachi (The town around the shrine).

  • Ono

    4

    30
    min.

    16:30-17:00

    Take a break at Pallettepia-ono.

  • Ikeda

    5

    60
    min.

    17:30-18:00

    Enjoy the night-time scenery at Mt. Ikeda (Ikedayama) observatory.

  • Ibigawa

    19:00

    Stay at either Yadoya Ibigawa or Ibigawa Kyuen (Traditional Japanese Inn, Ryokan).

Day 2

  • 30
    min.

    9:00

    Departure

  • Ogaki

    6

    30
    min.

    9:30-10:30

    Enjoy a woodworking experience at Masuza Workshop /
    Choose some souvenirs.
    If you have some spare time visit Ōgaki Castle and Funamachi River Port.
    (Use city-managed car park)

  • Yoro

    7

    30
    min.

    11:00-12:00

    Enjoy yakiniku at Yakiniku-Kaidou (Road).

    8

    30
    min.

    12:30-14:30

    Check out the Site of Reversible Destiny /
    Yoro Waterfall.

  • Kaizu

    9

    60
    min.

    15:00-16:30

    Explore Chiyoho Inari Shrine and Monzenmachi
    (The town around the shrine).

    17:30

    Stay somewhere within Ogaki.

Day 3

  • 30
    min.

    9:15

    Departure

  • Sekigahara

    10

    15
    min.

    9:45

    Use a rental bicycle from the Sekigahara Tourism Center.

    11

    15
    min.

    10:00-12:00

    Explore Gifu Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum
    and Ibukian (The café and restaurant).

    12

    15
    min.

    12:15-13:30

    Experience becoming a samurai
    at the Sasaoyama Tourism Center!
    (and head to Sasaoyama if you have time and energy!)

    13

    15
    min.

    13:45-15:00

    Explore Site of Sekigahara Battleground
    and Site of Shimazu Yoshihiro's Encampment.

    14

    90
    min.

    15:15-16:00

    Take a coffee break at Mirai Cafe.

  • 17:30

    Chubu Centrair International Airport
    Arrive at airport and return your rental car.

Youtuber's Recommended Driving Tour

LET'S TRAVEL Get ready for your self-driving tour!

Whether you are looking for hidden delicacies in lanes and alleys or going on a trip in the mountains to appreciate the stunning scenery, choosing a suitable car is the first step to a pleasant road trip filled with beautiful memories in the Chubu region of Japan.

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