Kakamigahara: Mountains, Rivers and History

Mountains, river landscapes and traces of the Edo period give Kakamigahara many different facets. You can focus on hiking and nature watching, or plan visits to historic sites and leisure attractions. When choosing a holiday rental, it therefore helps to start by asking what kind of day you would most like to have: an active one on trails and at viewpoints, by the water, or exploring cultural attractions.

Mountain Trails, Nature and Waterside Landscapes

“Kakamigahara Alps” is the common name for the mountains along the northern edge of the Kakamigahara Plateau. Several routes are suitable for beginners and experienced hikers; viewpoints along the trails offer sweeping views of the landscape. The Kenzoku Trail takes about 40 minutes from the Nature Experience Center to the summit of Mount Kanayama, on the border with Seki City. Some sections of the trail are steep. On a clear day, you can see Ise Bay from the summit viewpoint. For a longer hike, the 16.8-kilometre “Kakamigahara Course” section of the Tōkai Nature Trail is a different kind of undertaking.

Rare plants, along with many birds, insects and small animals, are protected in the Kagamino Nature Heritage Forest. There are also varied landscapes by the water: Ogase Pond has a circumference of about two kilometres, and an island in the pond is home to a shrine dedicated to Hachidai Ryūō, its guardian deity. The Shin-Sakai River flows through Kakamigahara City. Cherry trees line both banks, and the area is known for its cherry blossoms.

A tree-lined path connects two sections featuring different species: about 60 metres are lined with metasequoias and around 240 metres with ginkgo trees. Their autumn colours can usually be seen from late November to early December. These seasonal sights add another reason to plan a trip, complementing the mountain and river landscapes.

Discover Traces of History

Tokuyama Jinya Park recreates an Edo-period landscape, based on the plan “Saraki Jinya Ezu” and an archaeological excavation carried out in 2000. Waterways have been restored in Unuma-juku, and important buildings in the townscape have been preserved or renovated, offering a chance to experience the atmosphere of an Edo-period post station.

Another example is the Waki-honjin of Nakasendō Unuma-juku. The reconstruction follows historic house plans, as well as the exterior, interior and details of a surviving Waki-honjin. It opened to the public in May 2010. On the first floor of the aviation section at the Gifu-Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum, exhibits include the “Asuka” STOL experimental aircraft and the T-2 trainer aircraft. The section traces the development of human aviation technology. Together, these places offer different ways to explore the past: historic townscapes and architectural styles on the one hand, and the development of aviation on the other.

Leisure Ideas for Different Kinds of Holiday

Kakamigahara Outdoor Field is a hub for outdoor recreation and sports, set amid water and greenery and enjoyed by people of different ages. Kakamigahara City Pool has heated indoor pools for 25-metre swimming, as well as pools for children and toddlers. Outdoors, there is a water slide, a current pool and other leisure facilities; the complex also includes a competition-standard 50-metre pool with 638 spectator seats. Check the latest operating details before planning a visit.

For a more relaxed sporting activity, Kakamigahara Riverside 21 offers putting golf on natural grass. The city describes the course as “outstanding throughout the Tōkai region.” On the Kiso River, visitors can watch cormorant fishing at night, with torchlit boats set against the backdrop of Inuyama Castle. The daytime demonstration gives a good view of the movements of the cormorants and the cormorant fishermen; it can be combined with a meal. The season is listed as running from June 1 to October 15. Check the operating details for the year of your visit.

For a full day out with the family, River Environment Paradise includes the Aqua Toto Gifu aquarium, the Nature Discovery Center and the prefectural Oasis Park. It is considered a destination that can keep families occupied for a whole day. Alongside individual activities, there are also several different places to visit on a longer outing. Choose your holiday rental and plan your days according to whether you want to focus mainly on trails and views, historic sites or leisure activities.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Gero, Takayama, Kani, Tarui, Minokamo, Ena, Kawabe, Tajimi.

For the main travel overview: Gifu Prefecture.