3-Day Gifu Itinerary: Hot Springs, Historic Streets, and Thatched-Roof Villages

How to Get to Gifu Prefecture

With its central location on the Japanese mainland (Honshu), Gifu Prefecture is easily reached from Nagoya, which is well connected to Tokyo and other major cities by bullet train. Gifu’s own capital, Gifu City, is relatively small and lacks diverse accommodation options, so we recommend staying in Nagoya first and then traveling to Gifu.

Tip: Read our guide to Nagoya to make the most of your stay before Gifu!

From Tokyo

Take the Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo Station to Nagoya Station. The Nozomi train, the fastest option, takes around 1 hour 40 minutes, while the slower Kodama trains take around 2 hours 40 minutes. Upon arrival in Nagoya, you can easily transfer to local or express trains heading into Gifu Prefecture. Some destinations, such as Takayama, can also be accessed by highway bus from Nagoya. For budget travel, highway buses also run between Tokyo and Tayakama, with direct services taking around 6 hours.

From Osaka/Kyoto

From Shin-Osaka Station, the Tokaido Shinkansen reaches Nagoya in about 50 minutes on the Nozomi bullet train. The Hikari and Kodama services take about an hour. From Kyoto Station, travel times are 15-20 minutes shorter than Shin-Osaka. Highway buses connect Osaka and Kyoto to Takayama in Gifu Prefecture, with services taking around 5 hours 30 minutes from Osaka (Namba) and 4 hours from Kyoto.

Day 1: Relaxation in Gero Onsen

Gero Onsen

Access: From Nagoya Station, take the Hida Limited Express train to Gero Station (approx. 1 hour 40 minutes).

For centuries, Gero Onsen has been renowned for its high-quality hot spring waters, often ranked among Japan’s top three onsen alongside Kusatsu and Arima. The town’s alkaline hot springs leave skin feeling exceptionally smooth and are said to have healing properties. Travelers can enjoy these benefits in a variety of public baths, ryokan facilities, and outdoor footbaths along the Hida River.

In addition to the onsen experience, Gero’s quaint streets are lined with shops selling local sweets, wooden crafts, and skincare products made with onsen minerals. A leisurely stroll through town reveals charming bridges, traditional inns, and picturesque scenery, making it the perfect introduction to Gifu’s rural charm.

Gero Onsen Funsenchi

Access: 5-minute walk from Gero Station.

Gero Onsen’s Funsenchi used to be an open-air public bath along the river, however, in 2021 the bath was converted into a footbath. It offers a picturesque setting where travelers can soak their tired feet while enjoying views of the river, ryokan, and nearby bridge. The combination of warm, soothing water and the gentle sound of the river creates a truly serene experience.

Lunch: Keichan

A specialty of Gero, “keichan” is a dish made of chicken marinated in miso, salt, or soy sauce and grilled with cabbage on an iron plate. It can be prepared in numerous ways depending on the marinade, type of chicken, and even how the meat is cut, and it’s said that no two restaurants serve up the same flavor. There are several restaurants throughout Gero serving keichan, so be sure to look around and give it a try for lunch!

Gero Onsen Gassho-Mura

Access: 20-minute walk from Gero Station.

This small open-air museum showcases 10 traditional thatched-roof farm houses relocated from places like Shirakawago, offering a glimpse into historic rural life. Visitors can explore these preserved homes to immerse themselves in old world Japan. The houses, built in the iconic triangle-shaped “gassho-zukuri” style, were relocated here to preserve Gifu’s architectural heritage. You can also join hands-on workshops and cultural experiences, such as trying your hand at traditional pottery or making Japanese “washi” paper.

Onsenji Temple

Access: 20-minute walk from Gero Onsen Gassho-Mura.

Located on a hill overlooking Gero, Onsenji is a historic temple closely tied to the town’s hot spring culture. According to legend, the temple’s deity took the form of a white egret and helped discover the source of Gero’s current hot springs and their healing properties. A short walk up rewards you with a peaceful atmosphere and panoramic views of the town below. In autumn, the surrounding maple trees turn a fiery red and yellow, and a festival is held to celebrate the autumn foliage. Onsenji Temple’s serene environment makes it an excellent place for quiet reflection or a short rest before continuing the day’s activities.

Shirasagi no Yu

Access: Approx. 8-minute walk from Onsenji Temple.

For an afternoon soak before heading to your accommodation, visit Shirasagi no Yu, one of Gero’s oldest and most famous public baths. It opened in 1926 at the end of the Taisho Period, when Japan was rapidly modernizing, and its retro Western-inspired architecture represents the pinnacle of the period’s aesthetic. Shirasagi no Yu features indoor “hinoki” (cedar tree) baths overlooking the Hida River and relaxing mountain views. The rustic setting and high-quality onsen water make this an excellent place to fully experience Gero’s local onsen culture before heading to a ryokan for the night.

Recommended Hotel in Gero Onsen: Yunoshimakan

Day 2: Exploring Takayama’s Historic Streets and Culture

Takayama Old Town

Access: Take the Hida Limited Express from Gero Station to Takayama Station (approx. 45 mins). Then walk 15 minutes from Takayama Station to the Takayama Old Town.

Takayama’s Old Town is a beautifully preserved district that evokes the atmosphere of Japan’s Edo period (1603-1868). Narrow streets are lined with wooden merchant houses, traditional shops, and historic sake breweries, presenting an immersive glimpse into the past. The heart of this district is Sanmachi Street, where well-preserved buildings with intricate wooden facades and curtain-draped entrances house artisan workshops, cosy cafes, and specialty stores selling local crafts.

Takayama is famous for sake, and its Old Town is home to numerous breweries. One that stands out is Funasaka Sake Brewery, an establishment with a history of more than 200 years where you can gain insight into the traditional sake-making process and sample locally brewed varieties. The brewery also contains a restaurant and sake shop; a premium bottle or two from its selection makes for a perfect souvenir.

If you have time in the morning, the Miyagawa Morning Market along the river is an excellent stop. Local vendors sell fresh produce, handicrafts, and street snacks, all showcasing the traditions of Takayama. The Morning Market runs from 7:00 am until noon (from 8:00 am Jan-Mar).

Takayama Jinya

Access: 7-minute walk from Takayama Old Town.

A relic of the Edo period, Takayama Jinya served as the regional government office under the Tokugawa shogunate. After the fall of the shogun, it continued to be used as a prefectural office, totaling 277 years of history. This well-preserved relic offers raw insight into Japan’s feudal administration, featuring tatami-matted offices, interrogation rooms, and a peaceful garden. Highlights include the Grand Hall where officials conducted affairs of state, the beautiful blue wave patterned walls in the “tokonoma” entrance alcove, one of Japan’s oldest and largest Edo period rice granaries, and plenty more.

Hida Takayama Retro Museum

Access: 4-minute walk from Takayama Jinya.

For a completely different perspective on Japan’s history, the Hida Takayama Retro Museum provides a fascinating look into the Showa era (1926-1989). This interactive museum showcases vintage arcade games, old-fashioned electronics, posters, toys, and everyday items from the mid-20th century.

Nostalgic displays of period-accurate Japanese candy shops, toy stores, barbers, and an elementary school-inspired restaurant present a dynamic contrast to Takayama’s Edo-period streetscape. You can even get hands-on with many vintage toys and games, making this a fun stop for those interested in Japan’s more recent past.

Lunch: Kyoshi

Access: 6-minute walk from Hida Takayama Retro Museum.

No visit to Takayama is complete without tasting the region’s famous Hida beef, renowned for its exceptional marbling and rich flavour. Kyoshi, a highly regarded local restaurant, specialises in A5-ranked Hida beef dishes, including grilled steaks, beef rice bowls, and even beef sushi. The melt-in-your-mouth texture and umami depth of this premium wagyu beef make for an unforgettable dining experience. The restaurant also serves halal-approved Hida beef.

Shirakabe Dozou Street

Access: Walk 10 minutes from Kyoshi to Takayama Station. Take the Hida Limited Express (15 mins) or the local train on the Takayama Line (approx. 20 mins) to Hida-Furukawa Station. From Hida-Furukawa Station, walk 5 minutes to Shirakabe Dozou Street.

For those seeking an equally charming but quieter traditional experience outside Takayama, a short train ride to Hida-Furukawa reveals the scenic Shirakabe Dozou Street. This district is famous for its elegant white-walled storehouses and the Setogawa Canal, where colourful koi swim gracefully beneath stone bridges. The peaceful ambiance contrasts with the busier streets of Takayama, offering a leisurely escape into Hida’s lesser-known historical treasures.

As the canals are shallow and the region sees a lot of snowfall in winter, the eye-catchingly bright koi cannot survive during the colder months. Every year on the last Saturday of November, an event is held to scoop the koi out from the canals one by one and put them in a temporary home in the former moat of Masushima Castle, a 10-minute walk away. The event is an important tradition of Hida-Furukawa, and visitors can usually join in on the efforts by contacting the Hida Tourism Association in advance.

Recommended Hotel in Takayama: eph TAKAYAMA

Day 3: Traditional Architecture and Rural Beauty in Shirakawago

Ogimachi Historic District (Shirakawago)

Access: Take the Nohi Bus from the Takayama Bus Terminal (next to Takayama Station) to the Shirakawago Bus Terminal (approx. 50 mins).
*Reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons, weekends, and holidays.
*Some departures offer only non-reserved seats on a first-come, first-served basis. The Nohi Bus official website lists up-to-date timetables, including information about reserved and non-reserved departures.
*Since luggage space on the bus is limited and the coin lockers in Shirakawago are often in use, it’s recommended to forward large luggage to your next destination rather than bringing it onto the bus.

Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its distinctive “gassho-zukuri” farmhouses, which feature steep triangle-shaped thatched roofs designed to withstand the region’s heavy snowfall.

The village of Ogimachi, the largest settlement in Shirakawago, is home to numerous well-preserved cottages that offer an authentic glimpse into traditional rural life in Japan. Among them, the Wada House, built in the late Edo period, stands out as one of the largest and best-preserved, and is open to visitors. Part of the Wada House is still used as a residence, and the grounds also feature a traditional “kura” storehouse as well as a garden and pond.

Another remarkable farmhouse, the Kanda House, provides insight into how local families lived and worked in harmony with nature, showcasing old tools, a traditional Japanese-style floor hearth, and views of the village from the attic.

Myozenji Temple, founded in 1748, is a rare temple with a thatched roof, and its adjacent museum highlights religious and cultural aspects of Shirakawago’s past.

Just outside the village, the Gassho-Zukuri Minkaen Outdoor Museum brings history to life with its collection of relocated and restored gassho-style houses. The museum grounds are connected to the main village by a 107-meter-long suspension bridge for pedestrians, which spans the pristine Sho River.

And that’s just the beginning of what there is to see and do in Shirakawago, so be sure to leave plenty of time to wander around and explore!

Lunch: Tenkara

Access: 15-minute walk from the Shirakawago Bus Terminal.

Just like Takayama, Shirakawago is famous for Hida beef, and Tenkara is a highly recommended restaurant with a delicious take on this local specialty.

We recommend the affordable Hida roast beef donburi, featuring tender, lightly cooked slices of Hida beef served over rice with a flavourful sauce. The silky smooth texture of the beef and the rich umami flavors make it a must-try for wagyu enthusiasts. Only a limited number of bowls are available per day, so make sure to arrive early! Other popular dishes include the extravagant Hida beef sirloin steak set, perfect for those with generous budgets, while others seeking cheaper options will be more than satisfied with the juicy and tender Hida beef hamburg set.

Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observation Deck

Access: Approx. 30-minute walk from Tenkara.

After exploring the village and enjoying a hearty meal, cap off the day at the Ogimachi Castle Observation Deck, where a breathtaking vantage point overlooking Shirakawago awaits. A short but steep hike or a shuttle bus ride (departing from a bus stop next to Hakusuien) leads to this elevated spot, where you can take in the full beauty of the gassho-zukuri houses nestled in the valley against the mountainous backdrop.

The view is particularly stunning in winter, when the snow-covered rooftops create a picturesque scene, as well as in autumn when vibrant foliage blankets the surrounding hills.

Recommended Hotel in Shirakawago: Shirakawago no Yu

The Ultimate 3-Day Gifu Itinerary

Gifu Prefecture is a captivating destination that showcases Japan’s rich traditions, scenic landscapes, and historical heritage. This 3-day Gifu itinerary offers a well-rounded experience, from the therapeutic waters of Gero Onsen to the timeless charm of Takayama’s Edo period streets and the iconic thatched-roof homesteads of Shirakawago. Each stop highlights a different aspect of Japan’s cultural legacy, providing an opportunity to slow down and appreciate the country’s rural beauty.

Top image: PIXTA