Explaining the Charm of Gifu Castle Towering Over Mt. Kinka in Gifu and Nearby Tourist Spots!

“Gifu Castle” is a popular attraction when touring Gifu. Perched atop Mt. Kinka (formerly called Inabayama), it is a renowned castle associated with Oda Nobunaga. In this article, we summarize the history of Gifu Castle, the best time for autumn foliage, access information, and more. We also cover recommended spots around Gifu Castle that you might want to visit during your trip, so feel free to use this as a reference.

Gifu Castle’s History | Base of Saitō Dōsan and Oda Nobunaga

Gifu Castle was the fortress from which Oda Nobunaga pursued his quest for national unification. It was built on the summit of Mt. Kinka (originally Inabayama) and was formerly called Inabayama Castle or Iguchi Castle.

Its history dates back to the Sengoku period (Warring States period), when the local warlord Saitō Dōsan—nicknamed the “Viper of Mino”—ousted the Mino Provincial Governor and seized the castle. It then became the residence of the Saitō clan for three generations. In Eiroku 10 (1567), Oda Nobunaga defeated Saitō Tatsuoki and took over the castle, renaming Inabayama to Mt. Kinka and Inabayama Castle to Gifu Castle. It was around the time Nobunaga entered Gifu Castle that he began using his seal reading “Tenka Fubu” (“Rule the Land by Force of Arms”).

In Tenshō 4 (1576), Oda Nobunaga built Azuchi Castle, and upon relocating, he designated his eldest son, Nobutada, as the lord of Gifu Castle. After Nobutada perished by his own hand in the Honnō-ji Incident, Nobunaga’s third son, Nobuo, became lord. In Bunroku 1 (1592), Nobunaga’s grandson Hidenobu assumed lordship. However, when the Western forces of the Toyotomi army were defeated at the Battle of Sekigahara, Gifu Castle was eventually abandoned.

The current castle was rebuilt in 1956 (Shōwa 31). Inside, you will find precious historical artifacts, weapons, and armor related to the Saitō family and Oda Nobunaga—making the interior more like a historical museum. The view from the top floor (the tenshu) is wonderful, overlooking Gifu Park and the entire Gifu City area.

Best Time for Autumn Foliage & Highlights of Gifu Park

Gifu Castle and Gifu Park, selected among the “33 Best Autumn Foliage Spots of Hida and Mino,” display beautiful fall colors in autumn. Though it varies with the weather, the foliage typically reaches its peak from mid to late November each year. Since weekends can get crowded during peak season, consider visiting on a weekday if you prefer to enjoy the autumn leaves at a more leisurely pace. There are many points of interest throughout the park, so taking your time to explore is highly recommended.

First, admire the autumn foliage in Gifu Park at the foot of Mt. Kinka before heading up to Gifu Castle. Look up at Mt. Kinka dressed in vibrant fall colors. Next, ride the Mt. Kinka Ropeway, gliding over the beautifully tinted autumn scenery. The breathtaking views of the foliage will captivate visitors.

Once you get off the ropeway, continue your autumn leaf viewing at Mt. Kinka’s Squirrel Village, where you can see adorable squirrels. Around the castle area, the paths and plantings are well-maintained, showcasing the best of the autumn colors. Finally, be sure to gaze upon Mt. Kinka’s picturesque autumn landscape—tinged red and yellow with the changing leaves—from the tenshu (main keep) of Gifu Castle.

Gifu Castle’s Goshuin (Official Seal) and Stamp

An increasing number of people are collecting “stamps” from castles as a souvenir of their visit, seeking an official mark or seal to commemorate their climb (tour). With so many unique castle goshuin available, many are curious about what Gifu Castle provides.

At Gifu Castle, two types of commemorative goshuin are issued: a regular version and a Premium Friday version. The regular version is made with Mino washi paper. The stamped seals use Oda clan’s crest “Oda Mokkou,” Nobunaga’s banner “Eiraku Tsuuhou,” and Nobunaga’s “Tenka Fubu” slogan in red ink.

The Premium Friday version is a gold-colored goshuin sold only on the last Friday of each month. The writing is in gold, while the stamps are: the Oda Mokkou in red, Saitō Dōsan’s “Nitou Tatsunami” crest in bluish-purple, and Akechi Mitsuhide’s “Kikyo Mon” in light blue—each corresponding to a warrior related to Gifu Castle.

At Gifu Castle, these goshuin are also called “Castle Climb Commemorative Certificate” or “Castle Goshuin,” and are distributed at the souvenir shop at the base station of the Mt. Kinka Ropeway. Though these are paper versions (not written directly into a goshuin book), the date is included, which makes them a wonderful keepsake. If you visit Gifu Castle, be sure to pick one up as a memento.

Access and Parking for Gifu Castle

■ By Bus

Traveling from Gifu Station is convenient by bus. From Meitetsu Gifu Station, board the bus bound for “Gifu Kōen / Nagarabashi” at Platform 4. From JR Gifu Station, head to Platforms 12 or 13 in front of the central north exit, and take the City Loop bus (left loop). Both buses stop at “Gifu Kōen Rekishihakubutsukan-mae” (Gifu Park / History Museum) bus stop. From there, head towards the ropeway station. The bus ride takes about 15 minutes, followed by approximately a 6-minute walk to the ropeway station, then about an 8-minute walk from the top station.

■ By Car

From the Tōkai-Hokuriku Expressway’s Gifu Kakamigahara I.C., head towards the Kinka Tunnel. It takes about 20 minutes. You cannot drive all the way to the castle, so park at a lot beyond the Kinka Tunnel and use the ropeway to reach it.

The nearest parking area is the paid “Gifu Park Jogai Parking Lot,” which tends to be crowded on weekends at midday or during the fall foliage season. If you want to avoid congestion, you might consider the paid “Gifu Park No.2 Parking Lot,” which is about a 10-minute walk from Gifu Park. The unpaved “Gifu Park No.3 Parking Lot” is free of charge but is about a 20-minute walk to Gifu Park. Note that crowds are also expected during events like the cormorant fishing (ukai) season.

Tourist Spots Near Gifu Castle

Below are three recommended tourist attractions near Gifu Castle that you might want to visit in conjunction with your Gifu Castle tour.

■ Mt. Kinka Squirrel Village

After visiting Gifu Castle, why not meet the charming squirrels of Mt. Kinka? Located next to the ropeway’s summit station, “Mt. Kinka Squirrel Village” is a popular spot where you can interact directly with squirrels. These well-behaved squirrels live inside an open enclosure spanning about 100 tsubo (approximately 330 square meters), allowing you to feed them up close.

In fact, Mt. Kinka has a large wild squirrel population. This originated from the Taiwan squirrels that escaped during the “Leap Forward Japan Grand Expo” held in Gifu Park in 1936 (Shōwa 11) and subsequently became feral. Later, these wild squirrels were captured and trained, leading to the establishment of the Mt. Kinka Squirrel Village in 1965 (Shōwa 40)—the first squirrel garden in Japan.

■ Gifu Park

“Gifu Park” is a soothing spot for the people of Gifu Prefecture, and is highly recommended to visit alongside Gifu Castle. This lush green park changes its appearance with each season, welcoming visitors with cherry blossoms in spring and vivid autumn leaves in fall. At the main gate, you will find a statue of a young Oda Nobunaga on horseback, immersing you in Gifu’s history.

In 1992, Gifu Park was selected as one of the “100 Best Urban Landscapes,” and in 2006, it was also named one of the “100 Best Historical Parks in Japan.” It offers plenty of highlights, including Nobunaga’s Garden, the Nobunaga Residence Ruins, the Kanbachi Gate, and Nobunaga Rakuichi (market). Must-see spots also include the Three-storied Pagoda, the waterfall at the Mitarai Pond, and statues of Emperor Meiji and Itagaki Taisuke.

■ Nawa Insect Museum

“Nawa Insect Museum” is one of Japan’s leading insect museums, located inside Gifu Park. It is a historical tourist attraction established in 1896 (Meiji 29) by researcher Yasusuke Nawa, who was active during the Meiji and Taishō eras. Nawa is known for discovering the Gifu Butterfly, conducting broad insect research, and promoting pest control activities for agricultural crops.

The museum is filled with rare insects, and its Western-style building was completed in 1919 (Taishō 8). The structure itself holds cultural significance, having been registered as a Tangible Cultural Property by the national government, making the building another noteworthy highlight.

Lunch Spots Near Gifu Castle

The area around Gifu Castle, which attracts many tourists, is also home to numerous recommended lunch spots. Notable places include “Sōsaku Ryōri Nobunaga,” famous for its exquisite kamameshi (rice cooked in an iron pot), “h.u.g-flower,” a stylish café offering dishes packed with vegetables, and “La Station,” where you can enjoy authentic French cuisine at a reasonable price. Don’t miss out on savoring a delicious lunch while exploring Gifu Castle!