Ukai (cormorant fishing) occurs every year between May 11th and October 15th on the Nagara River. Gifu City is the only place where this tradition has continued uninterrupted for 1300 years. Silent film actor Charlie Chaplin requested to stop in Gifu for the event on 2 separate visits to Japan, describing it as "Japan's highest art form". You, too, can watch this spectacular event by boarding a viewing boat or watching from the banks of the river. Most of the action is upriver from Nagara-bashi. Tour boats begin embarking from about 18:00 (for those serving dinner aboard) until 18:30 or 19:00 (a bit later during the peak of summer). The night-fishing show begins after dark, around 20:00 or later during the summer months, and finishes by 21:00, in time to get back to a train station and return to Nagoya for those on a day trip.
- 1 Mt. Kinka (金華山) (From the train station, take buses bound for Gifu Park). Mt. Kinka is a 329-meter peak next to Gifu Park, with good views of the Nagara River and the city below. On top of Mt. Kinka is Gifu Castle, a small castle museum, and a "squirrel park". Most people will take the ropeway to the top. As an alternative, you can hike through the forest, taking either the shorter and steeper hyaku-magari ('100-bend') or the longer and gentler nana-magari ('7-bend') trail. Each will take over an hour, and good hiking footwear is recommended, especially on the "100-bend" (actually 135-bend) trail. The meiso no komichi (めい想の小径) trail is easier, with some steep sections, and is a popular school outing for local kindergartens; while the uma no se (馬の背 'horseback') trail is direct and more demanding. Ropeway round trip ¥ 1050, ¥ 520 children. Museum ¥ 200. Squirrel park ¥ 200.
- Nagara River Fireworks Festival. Last Sat in Jul and first Sat in Aug, fireworks start at 19:00. This is actually two events, each sponsored by a rival local newspaper (the Chunichi Shinbun and the Gifu Shinbun). As they are rivals, of course they attempt to out-do one another, resulting in two spectacular firework displays on the banks of the Nagara River, against the backdrop of Mount Kinka. If you miss out on a seat, the bridge makes a good vantage point to stand and watch — but wear comfortable shoes, as the displays last around 90 minutes. Special buses run from Meitetsu Gifu and JR Gifu Stations from 16:30 onwards. Wander around and sample typical Japanese festival foods from the many stalls lining the upper banks, and enjoy watching the many people in yukatas. The special buses on the way back are very crowded, so you may find it easier to make the 40-minute walk back to the city centre. (updated Aug 2020)
