Nagaragawa
The Nagara River, running through Gifu city below its hilltop castle, is best known for ukai, traditional cormorant fishing using trained birds to catch sweetfish (ayu), a practice with over 1,300 years of continuous history here. Visitors can watch from riverside viewing boats in the evening as fishermen work by torchlight, a distinctive and rare living tradition.
By day the river and surrounding area also offer views up toward Gifu Castle and a pleasant riverside walk, making it easy to combine daytime sightseeing with the evening ukai show if timing allows.
Nagaragawa FAQs
Traditional cormorant fishing, using trained birds on leashes to catch ayu (sweetfish); the Nagara River has practiced this continuously for over 1,300 years.
Typically evenings from mid-May through mid-October, though it can be paused around the full moon and after heavy rain.
Yes, viewing boats that follow the fishing boats require a paid ticket; watching from the riverbank is free but gives a more distant view.
About 20-30 minutes by JR or Meitetsu train.
Yes, the castle sits on a hill overlooking the same river area.
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