Gifu Prefecture is an inland prefecture located in the Chūbu region of Japan. Its capital is Gifu City. As one of the three Tokai prefectures, it has strong economic and cultural ties with Aichi and Mie Prefectures. Meanwhile, the northern Hida region retains historical townscapes and mountainous nature, making Gifu a prefecture where diverse terrains and climates coexist.
Geography and Regional Composition
Gifu Prefecture was historically composed of the former provinces of Mino and Hida. Today, it is roughly divided into the southern Mino region and the northern Hida region.
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Mino Region (Southern Gifu)
Bordering Aichi Prefecture, this area features flatlands forming part of the Nōbi Plain. It has a high population density and serves as a commuter town area for the Nagoya metropolitan region. -
Hida Region (Northern Gifu)
Characterized by mountain ranges such as the Hida Mountains (Northern Alps) and the Ryōhaku Mountains, this area has high altitudes and abundant nature. It is also known for the UNESCO World Heritage site, Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, with their traditional gassho-style houses.
Most of the prefectural borders are defined by mountainous terrain. Exceptions include parts of the borders with Aichi and Mie, where major rivers such as the Kiso, Nagara, and Ibi form natural boundaries.
Terrain and Nature
Gifu is often described with the phrase "Hizan Nousui" (Mountains in Hida, Waters in Mino), highlighting the stark geographical contrast between the mountainous Hida region in the north and the water-rich lowlands of the Mino region in the south.
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In the Hida Region, mountains over 3,000 meters tall dominate the landscape, with flatlands limited to areas like the Takayama Basin and around Shirakawa-go.
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In the Mino Region, the expansive Nōbi Plain spreads out, especially in the west where the three major rivers converge to form wajūchi (flood-control villages surrounded by levees).
Climate Characteristics
Gifu's climate varies significantly due to large differences in elevation across the prefecture.
Mino Region (Pacific Ocean climate + inland characteristics)
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Summers are hot, with cities like Tajimi recording some of the highest temperatures in Japan (e.g., 40.9°C in 2007, tying the national record).
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Winters are mostly sunny, but mornings and nights are cold due to inland climate features.
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The “Ibuki Oroshi” — a cold, dry wind — can make it feel even colder.
Hida Region (Sea of Japan climate + central highland climate)
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Many areas are designated heavy snowfall zones. High-elevation spots may record temperatures below -20°C in winter.
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Summers are generally cool, but basins can experience extreme heat — in 2018, Kanayama in Gero City reached 41.0°C.
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Lower humidity makes the heat less oppressive compared to other regions.
Transportation and Economic Zones
The southern part of Gifu benefits from its proximity to Nagoya, growing as part of the Chūkyō metropolitan area. Cities like Gifu, Ōgaki, and Minokamo serve as hubs for the region's economy and transportation.
In contrast, the mountainous terrain in the Hida region once limited access. However, recent developments in highways and railways have improved connectivity, enhancing the area's appeal as a tourist destination.
History and Culture
Gifu was a strategic point along the ancient Tōsandō route. In the Sengoku period, it gained prominence when Oda Nobunaga used Gifu Castle as his base. The Hida region is also renowned for preserving the tradition of Hida no Takumi (master carpenters of Hida), and its unique architectural styles—especially the gassho-zukuri houses of Shirakawa-go—are highly regarded internationally.
Conclusion
Gifu Prefecture is a region rich in contrasts—between the mountainous north and the flat southern plains—and it sits at the heart of Japan, fostering diverse natural and cultural landscapes. While closely tied economically to Nagoya in the south, the Hida region maintains historic scenery and snow-country culture, offering a wide variety of attractions for visitors.