Almost every city in Japan has a dish or specialty they can boast about. Gujo (郡上), however, is famous not for its cuisine, but for its food replicas. If you’ve ever been to a Japanese restaurant, or merely passed one on the way, you will have seen the plastic foods displayed at the entrance. Very…

Located in the river valley and surrounded by mountains, Ogimachi Shirakawa-go (荻町白川郷) Village is truly a paradise for nature lovers. It has its own charm every season: cherry blossom trees in spring, green fields in summer, wonderful autumn leaves in fall, and a white Christmas village feel in winter. While most tourists spend only a…

Before the establishment of the Tokugawa Shogunate(江戸幕府), a six-hour battle took place on October 21, 1600. This was called the ‘Battle of Sekigahara'(関ヶ原の戦い), a savage conflict which changed the course of Japanese history forever. A simulation of this war can be seen in the quiet farming village of Sekigahara. The momentous event is recreated in…

Gifu Prefecture is a famous destination because of the village of Shirakawa-go. But did you know that Gifu has a lot more to offer other than this World Heritage Site? Gifu City, the prefecture capital, can show you more of Japan’s historical and interesting places. The good thing about these spots is that it will…

I live in the busy city of Nagoya, and sometimes I feel like traveling a bit more to the countryside for fresh air and a peaceful retreat. My latest short trip was to the city of Ena in Gifu Prefecture, which is probably not a well-known travel spot for foreigners. Despite this, there are a…

At the mention of Gifu Prefecture, the first thing that probably comes to mind would be the thatched-roof village of Shirakawago. Shirakawago no Gassho-Zukuri (白川郷の合掌造り集落) is a World Heritage Site along with Gokayama no Gassho-Zukuri which is located in the neighboring Toyama Prefecture. Being a landlocked prefecture, Gifu may not be well known for seafood-related…

While both picturesque and historic, Gifu, located next to Aichi Prefecture, tends to be engulfed by its more famous cousin. Nagoya City in Aichi is usually the tourist destination of choice for many. Yet Gifu City, a small attractive town only 30 minutes from Nagoya by train, holds some wonderful sights and is ideal for…

Hida Takayama (飛騨高山), or simply Takayama (高山), is an interesting city in Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県) known for its well-preserved old town, rustic surroundings, and colorful festivals. Home to many temples and shrines, the city has been popular to local and foreign tourists as it is also a famous gateway to Shirakawa-go (白川郷). Spending two days…

The Japanese economy has been struggling for several decades now. It has been facing deflation and slow growth. In order to survive, the consumption tax on commodities and goods has been increased. Additionally, there are other kinds of taxes being paid by the citizens to the government such as income tax, enterprise tax, property tax,…

One of Japan’s most beautiful places is located in a picturesque town called Takayama. It is known for its farming villages located in the Hida region. As a traditional townscape, it also serves as a great destination for awesome dishes that every traveler should taste. Here are three of the must-try delicious local foods in…