Gifu Food Experiences(18)
Tour and Sake Tasting at Takayama’s Oldest Sake Brewery
Experience Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture’s rich sake production history with the help of an English-speaking local guide. The tour concludes with a tasting of some world-renowned sake.
Gifu Walking & Cycling Tour in Takayama & Hida Furukawa
Soak in the lifestyle of rural Japan in this walking and cycling tour of Gifu. First, explore the thatched-roof village of Takayama, where you’ll enjoy a local lunch and a sake tasting, then cycle along the quaint countryscapes of Hida Furukawa.
UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go Half-Day Food Tour
Experience the rich history of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the help of an English-speaking local guide. Enjoy several food stops and a lunch that features local cuisine during this half-day walking food tour.
Takayama Soul Foods Cooking Class w/ Hida Wagyu Beef (Gifu)
Explore Takayama's regional cuisine in this cooking class at an izakaya restaurant near Takayama Station. Led by Don, a chef and business owner, you’ll make signature Takayama dishes: hoba miso yaki with Hida beef, tsukemono steak, and gohei mochi.
Supreme Sake: Brewery Tour, Tasting, & Aged Sake in Gifu
Explore the world of sake, otherwise known as rice wine or nihonshu. Tour Gifu’s esteemed Daruma Masamune Sake Brewery, learn about the production process, experience a sake tasting, then visit a special cellar filled with rare vintage sake bottles.
Ayu Sweetfish Regional Dining Experience in Gifu
This nine-course meal features ayu sweetfish, the product of the 1300-year old practice of cormorant fishing. Unique to the waters that flow through Gifu, the versatile fish is prepared as sushi, charcoal-grilled, fried into tempura, and more!
Creative Hanazushi Making Class on Historic Nakasendo Trail
Make artistic sushi rolls with nature-inspired designs in Mitake, Gifu. Mitake was one of the post towns along the famous Nakasendo trail that connected Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Learn about this historic town while crafting colorful sushi.
Nagara River Boating and Banquet with Geisha Experience
Cruising down the Nagara River in Gifu, enjoy a banquet with Japanese sake and live performances by geisha. The meal spotlights seasonal ingredients and local fish, which you can see being caught using the ancient method of cormorant fishing.
Ayu Torchlight Fishing and Course Meal Along the Maze River
In a magnificent pyrotechnic display, ayu sweetfish are corralled into nets by deft fisherman as they whip flaming torches above the water. After an elaborate meal centered around the sweetfish, watch the fishermen themselves in action!
Historic Takayama Morning Market Food Tour
Experience the rich food history of Takayama’s old town district with the help of an English-speaking local guide. Visit the Hida-Takayama Miyagawa Morning Market and the Jinya-Mae Morning Market, and bake your own rice crackers at a local factory.
Takayama Walking Tour w/ Snacks & Sake Brewery Visit (Gifu)
Explore the old town of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture: stroll its shrines and traditional buildings, grill rice crackers, and visit a 400-year-old sake brewery in this guided walking tour that combines an exploration of the local culture and gourmet.
Samurai Blades: Your Own Knife-Making Tour in Gifu
Be a part of an 800-year-old sword-making tradition in Seki, Gifu Prefecture, one of the world's top knife producers, as you craft your own Damascus knife under the expert guidance of a master bladesmith with 50 years of experience.
Gifu Pocket Knife-Making Workshop & Sword Town Tour
Make your own pocket knife in Gifu at a local knife factory and tour the Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum to explore 800 years of Japanese sword and knife-making tradition.
Soba Noodle Making Class in Gifu
Learn how to cook soba noodles as you mix, roll, and cut the dough (all from scratch) during this cooking class in Gifu.
Temple Cuisine, Table Manners, & Tea in a 120 y/o Townhouse
Discover Japanese cuisine, tea, table manners & more in this unforgettable experience in Gifu! You’ll try Otoki Ryori (temple cuisine) & learn about Japanese culinary traditions in a 120 year-old Meiji-era townhouse, from a certified lecturer.
Tea Tasting & Etiquette in a Historic Townhouse (Gifu)
Join Kyoko, a certified teacher from the Japan Service Manners Association, for a unique tea-tasting & table manner experience in Gifu! You’ll learn about tea culture, etiquette, & taste Marika (Jasmine) tea in a historic Meiji-era townhouse.
Takayama Old Town Tour: Local Foods & Sake Tasting in Gifu
The old town of Takayama in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture perfectly captures the charm of rural Japan. In this walking tour, you’ll explore a food and craft market, learn the city’s history, and taste sake and foods guided by a local.
Private Traditional Cooking Class in Hida Furukawa (Gifu)
Hida Furukawa is known as Gifu’s little Kyoto due to its traditional townhouses and charming canals with colorful carp. Delve into the town’s local gastronomy in a fun, family-friendly cooking class and enjoy a delicious meal in a repurposed machiya!
Recent Reviews from GuestsDiscover Culinary Delights in Gifu
Gifu, a hidden gem in central Japan, offers a unique blend of traditional and modern food experiences. Nestled amidst stunning mountains and rich history, this region is a food lover's paradise. From its famous Hida beef to its traditional sake breweries, Gifu promises a culinary journey like no other. Whether you're a gourmet enthusiast or a casual traveler, you'll find delectable dishes that reflect the culture and heritage of this charming area.
Indulge in Gifu’s Traditional Flavors
The culinary scene in Gifu is deeply rooted in traditional Japanese flavors. A must-try is the renowned Hida beef, known for its rich marbling and melt-in-the-mouth texture. Many local eateries offer this beef in various forms, such as yakiniku or shabu-shabu, allowing you to savor its exquisite taste. Additionally, Gifu’s fresh river fish, like ayu or char, often feature in seasonal courses, providing a taste of the region's pristine waterways.
Don't miss out on trying Gifu's famous gohei mochi - skewered rice cakes brushed with a delicious mixture of miso, sesame, and nuts. These heritage-rich treats are commonly found in local festivals and make for a perfect snack as you explore the area's many attractions.
Experience Gifu’s Modern Culinary Scene
While Gifu is proud of its traditional roots, it also embraces the new and innovative. The modern culinary scene here sees young chefs crafting creative dishes that fuse traditional Japanese ingredients with contemporary techniques. Expect to find eateries offering unique dishes that tell a story through their flavors and presentation, departing from the usual but never straying too far from the soul of Japanese culinary art.
Venture into Gifu’s sake breweries to experience another facet of its food culture. Gifu is home to many sake breweries producing high-quality, rich-tasting sake thanks to the pure mountain water and traditional brewing techniques passed down through generations. Guided tours and tastings offer an insightful experience into how this iconic beverage is made, providing an opportunity to sample some of the best sake Japan has to offer.
Overall, Gifu’s food experiences are as diverse as they are delightful. Whether you prefer unraveling the depths of traditional Japanese gastronomy or exploring innovative modern foods, Gifu provides a memorable dining experience that appeals to every palate. Embark on a culinary adventure and let Gifu’s flavors be a highlight of your Japanese journey.