Things to Do in Gifu

Experience one of Japan's most ancient fishing traditions along the Nagara River, where skilled cormorant masters demonstrate a 1,300-year-old technique of fishing with trained birds under torchlight. The observation boats provide an up-close view of this mesmerizing spectacle, recognized as an Imperial Household Agency tradition, as cormorant handlers in traditional dress guide their birds to catch sweetfish in the pristine waters. This unforgettable summer evening experience combines cultural heritage, natural beauty, and the dramatic interplay of fire and water on the river.