Best fall foliage spots in Gifu
Nov 23, 2022
Best fall foliage spots in Gifu
In addition to its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring, fall foliage is another reason for tourists to visit Japan, particularly for enjoying Kōyō (紅葉) and Momiji (紅葉) every year.
Although both are written in the same Chinese characters, Kōyō refers to foliage with red and yellow colors, while Momiji specifically refers to the spectacular view of red maple leaves in fall.
“Gifu Prefecture” is surrounded by beautiful nature like the Japanese Alp, and also has many cultural attractions, such as Shirakawago and the old town of Takayama. So in Autumn season, many travelers visit Gifu with the hope to see all these nice places with colorful leaves.
The fall foliage in Gifu usually is at its peak from late November, and this feature will introduce some of the best spots in Gifu where you can enjoy fall foliage.
Index : Best fall foliage spots in Gifu
1. Gifu Park
Gifu Park is one of the most popular parks in Gifu, situated in the center of Gifu city, at the foot of Mt. Kinka. The park functioned as the home of Nobunaga Oda, the famous Sengoku general and the master of Gifu Castle.
The park is dotted with many trees that change colors seasonally, including the cherry trees and maple trees. In fall, you can enjoy the view of the fiery red leaves at this park, while surrounded by the beautiful nature of Mt. Kinka and the three-story pagoda.
You can also visit the remains of Nobunaga’s residence, and also the Gifu City Museum of History if you want to learn about Japanese history in depth.
The best time to visit Gifu Park for foliage is in late November.
2. Gujo Hachiman Castle
Gujo Hachiman Castle is a castle located at the top of the 350 meter of Mt. Hachiman, close to the main stream of the Nagara River. Due to its location, the castle is also known as one of the most famous mountain castles (yamashiro) in Japan.
The castle was built in 1559 by the local feudal lord on the top of a hill, but it was destroyed in the early Meiji period. It was rebuilt in 1933, using woods as its main materials.
There are numerous maple trees growing around the castle in fall, making this castle look even more attractive.
The best time to visit this castle for fall foliage is from early to mid-November.
3. Gero Onsen
Gero Onsen (下呂温泉) is a hot spring town in Gifu, and it was known as one of Japan’s three best onsen in the Edo period. The onsen is famous amongst the Japanese, and many tourists visit the town to enjoy its amazing hot spring water, which is said to be good for health and beauty.
This legendary onsen is located between Nagoya and Takayama, and in fall, the streets of Gero Onsen are dotted with autumn leaves, offering a breathtaking view of fall colors.
4. Yoro Park
Yoro Park is a huge park located on the western edge of Gifu Prefecture, particularly between the gorgeous Yoro Mountains and Ibigawa River.
The park features several amazing spots where visitors can enjoy nature at most, including Yoro Falls, one of the top 100 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan, the magical site of Reversible Destiny, and the Gifu Kodomo-no-kuni children’s park.
The park also has an impressive amount of Japanese maple trees, making it an amazing spot to enjoy the breathtaking autumn leaves every year.
The best time to visit Yoro Park for fall foliage is from late November to early December.
5. Shirakawago
Unlike other fall foliage spots in Gifu, due to its relatively cold weather, Shirakawa-go is some of the few places where you can enjoy early fall foliage in the area.
The maple trees in Shirakawa-go change color early, sometimes around late October or early November, giving you opportunities to enjoy fall foliage early without going to Hokkaido.
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Looking for something different this fall? How about visiting Shirakawa-go for its gorgeous Japanese traditional houses and red maple leaves?
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