Shirakabe Storehouse Town

Hida Furukawa, located in Gifu, had thrived from the latter half of the 16th century as a castle town and the old townscape is still in place where you can feel the lingering shadows of that time. Particularly, where the Setogawa River flows more than 1,000 carp are gracefully moving around, bordered by the 500 m of the Shirakabe Dozo, a series of beautiful storehouses with white walls. On January 15th every year, the Santera Mairi Festival is held, which is a traditional festival in Hida Furukawa. During the Santera Mairi Festival, a large number of snow sculpture candles and garden lanterns are lined up by the Setogawa River, all of which create a magical ambiance.

(Source: Anesthesia / PIXTA(ピクスタ))

Carp, Symbol of the Shirakabe Storehouse

The two symbols of Hida Fukukawa are the Shirakabe Storehouse and the 1,000 carp swimming in the Setogawa River. The Shirakabe Storehouse is in one of the traditional Japanese architectural styles. Its greatest feature is the beautiful, pure white wall covered with plaster. Once the sun light reflects against the white wall and the water of the Setogawa River is lit up, the vivid colors of the carp are even more enhanced (fish liberation is conducted only from spring to autumn).

(Source: まったり部屋)

Enjoying a Wine Cellar

Around Hida Furukawa, there are many sake breweries representative of the northern region of Gifu, some of which have lasted for over 300 years since their inception. Especially, because the wine cellar houses of Kaba Shuzo (brewery) and Watanabe Shuzo have been designated as national tangible cultural properties, at least those beautiful historical houses deserve being seen! Moreover, Watanabe Shuzo is also famous because they have one of only two American kurodo (a skilled worker at a sake brewery) working in Japan.

(Source: 山とカメラと二人旅)

Hida Croquette, Local Gourmet of Hida Furukawa

Hida croquette prepared by the Hida Croquette Shop, a local gourmet in Hida Furukawa, is recommended while walking! Once you place an order, the shop starts frying a Hida croquette, which contains a large amount of Hida Gyu (a local brand of cow), so you can always taste one hot off the grill.

(Source: 食べログ)

Santera Mairi Festival, a Traditional Event

The Santera Mairi Festival, which is held on January 15th every year in Hida Furukawa, is a traditional regional event that has endured for more than 300 years. At a time in the past, when adolescent girls walked along the Setogawa River during the Santera Mairi Festival, they encountered boys of about the same age and their relationships began. Thus, the festival is known as a matchmaking event and women dressed up in kimonos (Japanese traditional garment) wish for fulfillment of love every year. Anyone can rent a kimono and casually participate in that event, so why not join them and create a travel memory?