Gifu | Cormorant Fishing x Gujo All-Night Dance & Exploration of Nagara River Culture (3 days, 2 nights)
| Departure / Meeting Point: | Gifu Station |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days 2 nights |
| Operating Period | 2026-08-12 ~ 2026-08-14 |
| Minimum Number of Participants | 4 ~ 7 people |
| Price (per person) |
Adult: ¥110,000 Child: ¥110,000 |
| Eligible Persons/Age Restriction |
Culture enthusiasts, photographers, and travelers seeking an immersive, unconventional experience of Japan. Children aged 12 and above (must be accompanied by a parent) |
Itinerary Details
A Thousand-Year-Old Flame: The Last Secret of the 1300-Year-Old Pelican Farm
Kose Ukai is the most authentic place on the upper reaches of the Nagara River. Ukai makers, torches in hand, watch pelicans dive into the dark water, the firelight, river reflections, and the sounds of boats weaving together a living painting that has continued from the Nara period to the present day. Here, there are no large tour groups, only a few travelers encountering this thousand-year-old tradition up close. The Ukai culture of the Nagara River basin is considered an important intangible cultural heritage of Japan, and Kose is its most localized and least accessible corner on typical tourist itineraries. That night’s firelight will become your most unforgettable Japanese summer night memory.
No audience seats: A summer night of revelry in the county town, with dancing all night long.
Gunjo Odori is one of Japan’s three major Bon Odori festivals, boasting a history of over 400 years. The most special event each summer is the “All-Night Odori,” where the entire town’s streets transform into a dance floor, with residents and travelers dancing side-by-side until dawn—there are no performers, no audience, everyone is a dancer. This isn’t a performance festival designed for outsiders, but a genuine summer night ritual belonging to Gunjo’s life and culture. Being able to immerse oneself in it is a precious experience that can only be obtained by coming to the right place at the right time.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Nagara River Culture × Blade Craftsmanship × Summer Night Pelican Feeding
Meeting at Gifu Station and Ukai Museum
Meet at Gifu Station and head to the Nagaragawa Ukai Museum to gain a deeper understanding of Gifu’s most representative Ukai culture and warm up for tonight’s hands-on experience.
Old Street Free Lunch
Enjoy a leisurely lunch while strolling through the old streets, experiencing the daily rhythm and local charm of Gifu.
A Tour of Knife Craftsmanship in Seki City
Visit the Seki Forging Heritage Museum, the Gifu Seki Blade Museum, and the Feather Museum in sequence to gain a deeper understanding of the thousand-year-old craftsmanship charm and artisan spirit of Seki City, the “town of blades”.
Cormorant Fisherman's House Iwasa Sweetfish Dinner × Nagara River Cormorant Fishing Viewing
Enjoy a Nagaragawa specialty ayu set meal at the Pelican House in Iwasa, and take a boat trip at night to watch the Kose Pelican – torches illuminate the river surface as pelicans dive into the darkness, experiencing this ancient human-bird collaboration that has continued for 1300 years in real life.
Day 2｜Waterfall View × Faith Culture × All-Night Dance in the County
Amida Waterfall × Flowing Water Somen
After breakfast, depart from the hotel to visit Amida Falls to admire the magnificent natural scenery and savor the local summer specialty, somen noodles, enjoying the cool summer in the Gifu Mountains amidst the sound of the falls.
Hakusan Nakai Shrine × Michi-no-eki Walk
Visit the solemn and tranquil Nakai Shrine in Hakusan to experience the profound atmosphere of faith culture deep in the mountains, and then take a break at the “Kokin Densho no Sato Yamato” (traditional post station) to enjoy local delicacies.
Gunjo Hachiman Museum × Former Building - Free Stroll
Head to the Gunjo Hachiman Museum to watch a live performance of the Gunjo dance and experience the rhythm and charm of the festival dance up close; afterwards, take a leisurely stroll around the former town hall memorial hall to explore the charm of Gunjo Hachiman’s water town, and you can arrange to experience wearing a yukata.
Visit to Ci'en Temple
Visit the solemn and ancient Ci’en Temple and find a quiet space for your soul amidst the hustle and bustle of the festival.
The all-night dance festival in the county is integrated
As night falls, the entire town’s streets transform into a dance floor. Step into the crowd to the rhythm and dance alongside the locals until dawn—there are no audience seats, and everyone is the protagonist of this festival.
Day 3｜Mino Old Town × Washi Crafts × Leisurely Return Home
Stroll through the old streets of Mino and Edo-era architecture
Head to Mino Old Town to admire the well-preserved Edo-era streetscape and traditional townhouse architecture, and feel the delicate texture of time standing still here.
Mino Washi no Sato Kaikan (Mino Washi Paper Village Hall)
Visit the Mino Washi no Sato Hall to learn about the Mino washi paper culture, one of Japan’s important traditional crafts, and gain a deeper understanding of this light yet profound thousand-year-old handicraft heritage.
Return to Gifu Station and disband
A private car took us to Gifu Station, bringing a warm end to our three-day cultural exploration trip and leaving us with unique memories of summer in Gifu.
Important Information & Cancellation Policy
Important
Information &
Cancellation Policy
Precautions
Included in the fee
- 2 nights’ accommodation (including breakfast)
- 1 lunch (Day 2: Amitabha Waterfall Flowing Water Noodles)
- One dinner (Day 1: Uotsuri House Iwasa Sako Set Meal)
- Pelican experience fee and related tickets
- Transportation throughout the entire process from meeting at Gifu Station to disbanding
The fee does not include
- International and domestic air tickets
- Day 1 Free Lunch
- Personal expenses, shopping and other self-funded activities
Weather and itinerary adjustments
- This study tour is semi-self-guided, with a flexible itinerary and some free time.
- Summer events are subject to weather conditions; the organizer reserves the right to adjust the itinerary order based on on-site conditions.
Dietary Instructions
- If you have any special dietary requirements (vegetarian, allergies, etc.), please inform us in advance in the remarks section.
Language description
- The group primarily communicates in Chinese, with some on-site experiences conducted in Japanese. The organizers will assist with translating key points.
Participation Instructions
- This is a non-standard group tour, suitable for travelers with independent planning skills and an interest in Japanese culture.
- The end time of the all-night dancing in the county is uncertain, so participants are advised to be prepared for the physical demands of such late-night activities.
Cancellation policy
- Once a reservation is made, a 5% system cancellation fee will be charged if the reservation is cancelled due to personal reasons.
- Cancellation 7 days before departure date: 30%
- Cancellation 3 days before departure date: 50%
- Cancelled on the same day: 100%