10 Selections to Explore Hida City|Locals' Recommended Loved Spots Vol.1

As the first recommended and loved spot by locals, we will introduce 10 carefully selected places in Hida City, Gifu Prefecture. Each spot was selected by the staff of the city's Town Planning and Tourism Division. In the old townscape of Furukawa, the traditional Shinto ritual "Furukawa Festival" will soon be held on April 19 (Friday) and 20 (Saturday).

Located in the northernmost part of Gifu Prefecture and with about 90% of the forest area, Hida City is blessed with pure water produced by abundant broad-leaved trees, and not only Hida beef, but also Hida rice, which has been selected as the best in the world, and agricultural crops with a strong taste are grown. In addition, Hida City, where about 250 species of useful plants grow naturally, is truly a natural medicine box. Efforts to utilize medicinal herbs are also actively carried out.

The Furukawa Festival, in which naked men clash with each other and perform a fierce and brave "Kishi Taiko," is registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

< Transportation (from Tokyo) >
・Train: Tokyo Station ~ Hida Furukawa Station (via Toyama Station or Nagoya Station) about 4 hours
・Bus: Busta Shinjuku ~ Hida Furukawa Station (via Takayama Station) about 6 hours

1. Relax and refresh yourself in the morning fog forest.

Take a leisurely stroll along the promenade maintained in the satoyama, breathe in the forest air, and observe the plants and animals. After one lap, you will enjoy some relaxing time on a bed in the forest. Herbal products such as "sesame waffles" and "herbal tea" are recommended as accompaniments. Finally, let's sweat it out at the adjacent hot spring facility "Nukumori no Yusupafuru" to refresh your mind and body.

２．種蔵で星の音を聞く。 （music of sphere）

Even without a telescope, it is possible to feel the stars. It can be realized even in the daytime.
It is located in the Tanekura district of Miyagawa-cho, Hida City, at 36°20'49"N, 137°11'08"E. You can experience the "sound of the stars," which expresses the brightness and darkness of the stars by the intensity of the sound, with the height of the star as it passes through the meridian.

3. Watch the waves of rice sway in the wind.

The Hida Furukawa River spreads out in the form of an urban area surrounded by farmland. In particular, the summer countryside scenery from around Ketawakamiya Shrine is a must-see. There, you can see the beautiful rice swaying in the wind like waves.

4. After a visit to Kamioka Lab, get a copy of homemade bread with flower yeast.

The facility "Kamioka Labo", where you can experience astrophysics, is attached to the roadside station and is free of charge. After visiting this facility that can be enjoyed by both adults and children, you can purchase bread made with flower yeast at "Home-roasted coffee Asunaro". It is chewy and filling, and it is a favorite dish that you will definitely want to buy when you visit Kamioka.

5. Eat lunch in a hidden park in the old town.

Located on the outskirts of the town of Furukawa, Chiyo's Matsubara Park overlooks the clear Miyagawa River and is dotted with cute playground equipment. In particular, the view of the cherry blossoms from the "pedestrian bridge" on the opposite bank is spectacular. After strolling through the townscape, go a little further and eat side dishes on a park bench and Yamamoto's bento boxes are exceptional.

6. Take a walk along the Miyagawa and Arashiro rivers.

It is very pleasant to take a walk along the Miyagawa River and the Arajo River, which flow through Hida City. There are several bridges, so you can go around in a circle, and you can choose which bridge to go to and how far to walk depending on your mood and physical condition of the day. Especially on a sunny winter day, the blue sky and white scenery shine and the air is clear.

7. Experience the life of a Hida citizen and get Salvobo Coins.

This weekend, Hidasuke from the morning! Under the guidance of a local, you will experience picking medicinal herbs for about 3 hours. You can also learn and enjoy the knowledge of medicinal herbs. When the experience is over, you can use the 500 yen worth of Salvobo Coins, which you will receive as a bonus, and use it for a beer at lunch.

8. Enjoy the Belobero holiday from day to night and experience a sense of immorality.

Hida Furukawa has many izakaya full of charm. There is a wide selection of delicious local food and liquor. It is worth mentioning that only Japan sake from the two local sake breweries, "Kama Sake Brewery" and "Watanabe Sake Brewery", are all taizakaya full of local love. Some shops are open from noon, so the sense of immorality you get from leaving your family behind and spending time at an izakaya from morning to night is exceptional.

9. Designated as a National Historic Site! Tour the ruins of Kojima Castle, where you can feel the romance of the warring states.

The ruins of Kojima Castle, a national historic site that is said to be the residence of the sister Koji clan during the Sengoku period. At the base of the Great Oak and the Great Fuji that rise along the Taijiang River flowing at the northern foot of the mountain, the Buddha of Fudo Myō is carved. It is a great location to enjoy a walk while thinking about the historical romance of when, who, and how it was carved on the rock face of the cliff.

10. Enjoy the scenery at the top of Mt. Anfeng with Kuromoji coffee.

After a one-hour hike, you'll arrive at the top of Mt. Anpo. There are two observation decks here that offer a panoramic view of the cityscape of Hida Furukawa and the mountains of the Northern Alps. During your break time, try "Kuromoji Coffee" made with Hida fragrant wood. In particular, the sight of the Furukawa Basin, which appears from September to November and is covered with a sea of clouds, is a must-see.

[10 selections to explore|Loved spots recommended by locals] Now, let's take a look at some of the attractions of spots where locals involved in tourism in the area can enjoy making full use of their five senses (sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch).

✅ Stay at highly rated ryokan and hotels in Hida City [PR]

» Ryokan Yatsusankan A 6-minute walk from Karukogawa Station, along the Arajo River.

» Hida Furukawa Momogengo Onsen Hotel Kikosato It is about 10 minutes by car from the city of Furukawa and is surrounded by nature.

» Yamabikokan In a quiet retreat deep in the mountains, enjoy the scenery of the four seasons and local cuisine.