Kasamatsu is a small and quietly charming town located in Hashima District in Gifu Prefecture, sitting along the banks of the Kiso River in the fertile lowlands of central Japan. It is a modest and genuinely local community that carries more historical and cultural significance than its unassuming exterior might initially suggest.
The town sits within the broader Nobi Plain, one of the most historically important agricultural and strategic regions in central Japan. The flat and well-watered landscape surrounding Kasamatsu has supported dense human settlement and intensive rice cultivation for centuries, and the town's character remains deeply connected to this agricultural heritage.
The most significant attraction in and around Kasamatsu is its proximity to the famous cormorant fishing (ukai) tradition practiced on the Kiso River and the neighboring Nagara River. This ancient fishing method, in which trained cormorant birds dive into the river at night to catch ayu (sweetfish) under the guidance of skilled usho (cormorant masters), has been practiced in the region for over 1,300 years.
Ukai fishing is conducted from wooden boats on warm summer evenings between May and October, with open fires burning in iron baskets suspended from the bow to attract fish to the surface. Spectator boats carry visitors alongside the fishing boats, making it one of the most visually extraordinary and historically ancient living traditions in all of Japan.
The usho (cormorant masters) of the Nagara River hold an official appointment under the Imperial Household Agency, making them among the few craftsmen in Japan whose art is directly patronized by the imperial family. The prestige and continuity of this appointment speaks to the extraordinary cultural significance of the ukai tradition in the broader Gifu region.
The Kiso River itself is one of the most historically important waterways in central Japan, flowing southward from the Kiso Mountains of Nagano Prefecture through Gifu and Aichi before emptying into Ise Bay. The river served as a vital transport corridor connecting the mountain interior to the coastal ports during the Edo period and shaped the economic development of the communities along its banks.
The town of Kasamatsu has a long association with horse racing, as the Kasamatsu Racecourse is one of the oldest and most beloved local horse racing venues in the Tokai and Chubu regions. The racecourse hosts chiho keiba (local horse racing) events that draw dedicated racing enthusiasts from across Gifu and neighboring prefectures throughout the year.
Chiho keiba (regional horse racing) occupies a special and affectionate place in Japanese popular culture, associated with a more casual, community-oriented atmosphere compared to the larger JRA (Japan Racing Association) events held at the major metropolitan courses. The Kasamatsu races reflect this tradition of accessible and locally rooted sporting entertainment.
The surrounding Hashima District contains several historically significant sites reflecting the deep cultural heritage of the Nobi Plain. The nearby Inazawa area and the broader Gifu lowlands contain important shrine complexes, traditional farming villages, and remnants of the extensive castle network that once controlled this strategically vital central region.
The broader Gifu Prefecture context adds significant depth to a visit to Kasamatsu. The prefectural capital Gifu City, easily accessible from the town, houses the famous Gifu Castle perched dramatically on Mount Kinka, the most important center of ukai fishing on the Nagara River, and the beautifully preserved merchant town of Minokamo to the north.
Kasamatsu is served by Kasamatsu Station on the Meitetsu竹鼻線 (Takehana Line), connecting to Gifu Station in approximately 20 minutes and to Nagoya via connections at Shin-Gifu in approximately 40 minutes total. The town's position between these two major cities makes it a practical stopover for travelers exploring the broader Gifu and Aichi region.