文化/cultural experience
鵜飼/ cormorant fishing watching
岐阜長良川鵜飼いは全国12か所で伝承される鵜飼の中でも特別。奈良時代の書物に記録され1300年の歴史を誇ります。毎年5月11日から10月15日まで毎晩、その歴史をつなぐ鵜匠さんたちが、彼らの家族同様に育てかわいがる鵜とともに、電灯も消され暗闇となった岐阜市内の長良川を、かがり火の灯を頼りに鮎を釣ってくだります。
日中に長良川うかいミュージアムを見学して鵜飼の歴史と文化を学んでから夜の鵜飼舟に乗船するのがお薦め。
Cormorant Fishing is a traditional fishing style which lasts for more than 1300 years in Japan. Every night from May 11 to Oct 15, 6 boats manipulated by a team made of a cormorant fishing master and his boatmen with their up to 12 cormorants proceed downstream fishig. You will watch the "show"! onboard the viewing boat which chases the cormorant fishing master's boat close by. When the cormorant fihsing in on going, all the city lgihts go off, and only the bonfire on the river lights the site.
It's highly recommended you visit first the Nagaragawa Ukai Museum in Gifu City during the day to learn about the history then go onboard the viewing boat at night.
陶器・タイル
/potteries and tiles
美濃焼の産地で有名な土岐や多治見は岐阜県東濃地方にあります。美濃焼は日本六古窯（にほんろっこよう）の一つ、愛知県の瀬戸焼から流れてきたと言われており、その歴史は平安時代にさかのぼります。この地域には、陶器に関する様々な展示館や道の駅があり、多治見の織部ストリートや2016年夏にオープンしたばかりの多治見市モザイクアートミュージアムは美濃焼ファンにはたまらない観光スポットです。毎年四月の第二土日に開催される多治見陶磁器祭りは、自宅やお店用の食器を破格の値段で購入するにはもってこいのお祭りです。
The Eatern Gifu, called Tono is the home of Mino Pottery. The history of Mino Pottery dates back to 8th century. In this area, there are a lot of museums and shops realted to pottery and you may also find one-day class to make your own ceramic wear. On the second weekend of April every year, they hold a Tajimi Ceramic Wear Festival. At the festival, many local ceramic wear manufactureres and shop owners and even local highschools which specialize in ceramic wear production and marketing open temporary shops along the shopping street. Check out the date, and get out to the event for this big bargain chance!
郡上踊り/gujo bon dance festival
郡上踊りは国の重要無形民俗文化財に指定されています。7月中旬から9月初旬まで、毎晩郡上八幡のどこかの街角で生唄が響く中盆踊りが繰り広げられています。だれでも参加可能です。普段着のままでも浴衣に着替えてもすぐになじんでしまいます。あなたも輪に加わって見よう見まねでさあ踊りましょう！
In Gujo Hachiman, Gujo City, you can join in the Gujo bon dance. From mid July to early Sep, every night in the corner of somewhere in Gujo Hachiman, people make circle and enjoy bon dance for a coupel of hours along with the live song and music. It is designated as a Japanese important intangeable cultural asset. It will be more fun if you rent yukata, kimono for summer time, to join the dance circle. It will be a great opportunity for foreign visitors to experience summer tradition in Japan.
岐阜市内街歩き/ GIFU CITY TOUR
岐阜市内には、織田信長が築城した岐阜城や、日本で二番目に大きい岐阜大仏、古い町並みを残した川原町界隈、話題の近代的図書館メディアコスモスなど、観光スポットが数多くあります。
岐阜善光寺では座禅体験、おきなや総本舗では和菓子作りの体験、藤井仏壇では金箔塗り体験、長良陶房での陶房見学など、様々な文化体験をすることができます。
There are many sightseeing spots in Gifu City. There is a castle on top of a mountain which was occupied by one of the most historic worriers Oda Nobunaga in the late 16th century. Other atractionsa are Gifu Buddha, which is the second biggest Buddha in Japan, and old town called Kawaramachi. Also, Media Cosmos City Library is the latest hangout spot in the city. You will not recognize Its contemporary building is actually a library at the first glance.
A private group Experience Gifu can offer you several tours in Gifu City. You may go for a walking tour including Gifu castle and Gifu Buddha, or experience morning meditation in a temple, Gifu Zenkoji, or Japanese traditional confectionery making at t sweets shop, or gilding at a family Buddhist altar shop, visit to a City oriented pottery and many others.
