Gifu Catsle

Gifu Castle is a mountain castle on Mt. Kinkazan (formerly Mt. Inabayama) in Gifu City. With an elevation of 336 m and a relative height of 308 m, it is known as a formidable, hard-to-capture castle. It was once called Inabayama Castle and is known as the residence of Saito Dosan during the Sengoku period. After Oda Nobunaga captured the castle and became its lord, he is said to have renamed the surrounding area “Gifu” and the castle “Gifu Castle” as he unified the region. The upper floors are beloved as an observation spot; from the top, you can look down on the Nagara River, famous for cormorant fishing (ukai). You can also enjoy wide-ranging views: Mt. Ena and Mt. Ontake to the east, the Norikura range and the Japanese Alps to the north, and to the south the flow of the Kiso River heading toward Ise Bay. It is recognized as a National Historic Site, one of Japan’s 100 Famous Castles, and one of the “100 Best Historical Parks of Japan.” Nearby is the Gifu Castle Museum, exhibiting historical materials such as documents and swords related to the castle and the Sengoku–Edo periods. Castle stamps (gojoin) are also popular, featuring designs such as the Oda clan crest, Saito Dosan’s crest, and the keep.