Gifu Castle

Gifu Castle stands atop Mount Kinka, rising 329 meters above the city of Gifu in central Japan. Originally constructed in 1201, the castle gained prominence when the powerful daimyo Oda Nobunaga seized it in 1567 and used it as his base to launch the unification of Japan. Nobunaga renamed the surrounding area from Inabayama to Gifu, marking the beginning of his ambitious campaign. The current castle structure is a 1956 concrete reconstruction, as the original was destroyed in 1600 following the Battle of Sekigahara.

The castle holds significant cultural importance as a symbol of the Sengoku period's pivotal moments. From its commanding position, Nobunaga controlled vital trade routes and demonstrated the strategic value of mountaintop fortifications. The castle's dramatic setting exemplifies Japanese mountain castle architecture, where natural terrain served as the primary defense. Today it functions as a museum displaying armor, weapons, and historical artifacts from the castle's various periods, offering insight into feudal Japan's military history.

Visitors can reach the summit via the Kinkazan Ropeway, which departs from the base of Mount Kinka and takes approximately 3 minutes, or by hiking one of several trails that take 30 to 60 minutes depending on the route chosen. The castle's top floor observation deck provides 360-degree panoramic views of the Nagara River, the city of Gifu, and on clear days, the Japanese Alps. The surrounding Gifu Park at the mountain's base features walking paths, traditional tea houses, and seasonal attractions.

Gifu City lies 20 kilometers north of Nagoya, accessible via the JR Tokaido Main Line in roughly 20 minutes by rapid train or 30 minutes by local service. Both JR Gifu Station and Meitetsu Gifu Station connect to the ropeway base through city buses, with routes N32 and N46 completing the 12 to 15-minute journey to the Mount Kinka base.