JPN: Gifu City Uptown
Gifu City, Gifu, Japan
Away from the downtown area of Gifu City, the pace slows down further along the serene banks of Nagara River. Nearby lies the charming old townscape of Kawaramachi, once a bustling riverside merchant district. Just a short walk away, Gifu Park unfolds at the foot of Mount Kinka, which is the starting point to Gifu Castle.
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JPN: Gifu City Uptown <YOU ARE HERE!>
JPN: Nagoyaeki Access Hotel
JPN: Ise Shrine
JPN: Flight of Dreams
JPN: Chubu Centrair International Airport
JPN: All Nippon Airways NH494 (Economy)
JPN: All Nippon Airways NH833 (Business)
VIE: Le Saigon Hotel
VIE: Tan Son Nhat International Airport
VIE: Le Saigonnais Business Lounge
SIN: Singapore Airlines SQ177 (Business)
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Exiting Gifu station, I made my way to bus stop no. 12 to catch a bus that leads to Gifu Park. Several buses run this route, such as N61, N73, N80 and N82.
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| The 15-minute ride cost me ¥230 (~S$2.00). |
It was drizzling as I made my way to Hotel Park to drop off my luggage since it wasn't time for check-in yet.
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| I certainly enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere that the light rain seemed to deepen. |
Take a moment to enjoy the serenity in the following video clip.
Nagara River is famed for its centuries-old tradition of ukai (lit. cormorant fishing). To experience the unique spectactle, you can reserve a boat ride to watch the fishermen and their birds in action after dusk during summer.
Walking through Kawaramachi, lined with wooden townhouses built ages ago, felt like stepping back in time.
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| The street lay quiet under an overcast sky without a single soul in sight. |
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| Enter that building to find... ATM to withdraw some cash! |
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| Which of the fillings would you be most eager to taste? |
Beyond Kawaramachi, I stumbled upon an unassuming lunch spot run by a lovely couple.
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| The name of the eatery is Azuma Tei. |
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| Such a cozy place filled with homely charm~ |
Back on the main road, I found my way to Shobo-ji to see the Great Buddha of Gifu.
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| That Komeda's Coffee outlet looks like a European chalet. |
Entrance to Shobo-ji costs a mere ¥200 (~S$1.75) for adults, a small price to pay that goes to the maintenance of the temple.
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| Founded in 1638, the Buddhist temple welcomes visitors daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm |
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| The main hall reaches a height of 23.6 m. |
As one of the Three Great Buddhas of Japan, the colossal statue took 38 painstaking years to be construct. Completed in 1832, it stands as the largest dry-lacquered Buddha statue in the country.
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| The statue is 13.7 m tall. |
The temple is also home to dozens of arhat statues, each with a detailed facial expression.
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| Arhats are individuals who've attained enlightenment by following the Buddha's teachings. |
What are your thoughts on the afterlife? Do you believe in it?
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| Prostitutes are condemned by being thrown into a pool of blood according to legend. |
With the thought of sinking into soothing hot water to wash away the chill from the drizzle, I walked back to Hotel Park.
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| A lovely misty scenery and, of course, a handsome man to complete the picture! |
The rain kept falling into the evening, but I still decided to step out of the hotel. There was something calmbing about the damp air and the quiet streets that made me want to soak in the atmosphere and just be present in the moment.
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| Such a nice person, ain't I? |
I caught sight of the flickering fires from the cormorant fishing boats in the distance.
I was greeted with clear skies and gentle sunlight the next morning. After checking out, I went to explore the peaceful surroundings before heading to Gifu Park.
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| I suppose those were the cormorant fishing boats I saw the night before. |
The beautiful Japan-China Friendship Garden in Gifu City was established in 1999 as a symbol of goodwill and cultural exchange between the two nations.
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| The central pond evokes the serene beauty of West Lake in Hangzhou, China. |
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| The monument is a memorial to the Chinese people who were brought to Gifu for forced labour during World War II. |
From there, I continued my stroll southward.
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| Just look at how quiet the roads were on a weekday! |
Gifu Park is nestled at the base of Mount Kinka.
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| A perfect scene of peaceful harmony, isn't it? |
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| Oda Nobunaga's slogan: Rule All Under Heaven by Military Force |
I certainly found my inner peace amid the tranquil corners of Gifu City.
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