Gifu, Gifu / ぎふ長良川の鵜飼
Cormorant Fishing on the Nagara River, Gifu
The traditional fishing method "ukai", in which cormorant masters and their birds work as one by the light of blazing fires on the river, with Mt. Kinka and Gifu Castle as a backdrop. Its history goes back over 1,300 years; it was protected by rulers such as Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu, Matsuo Basho left a haiku about it, and Charlie Chaplin came to watch twice. It is held every night from May 11 to October 15, except on the night of the harvest moon and when the river is high.
Last official check
26 Sept 2026
Traveler reports
0
Reports open in Phase 2
Next scheduled check
25 Dec 2026
Decide before you go
A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.
- Getting there
- Bus
- Admission
- Paid (see the price below)
- Closing days
- Has closing days (see below)
- Booking
- Some things need booking (see the rows below)
Before you go
Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.
- Opening hours
Every year from May 11 to October 15.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Closed
Every night during the season (not held on the night of the harvest moon or when the river is high).
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Admission
Shared boats: regular days adults 4,200 yen, children 2,100 yen; busy days adults 5,100 yen, children 2,600 yen (busy days are May 11, Saturdays from July 13 to September 30, Obon and Silver Week).
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Getting there
From JR/Meitetsu Gifu, Gifu Bus to Nagarabashi-minami/Kawaramachi, then 3 minutes on foot.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Parking
Use the Gifu Park riverside car park or the tour bus car park (buses by reservation).
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Payment
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Accessibility
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know
Address: Gifu, Gifu (Japanese address: 岐阜県岐阜市湊町1-2)
Official site: http://www.ukai-gifucity.jp/ukai/
Location
Smaller pins are other spots nearby.
Nearby spots
- No photo yetKawaramachi District, GifuGifuLess than 1 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetGifu Kinkazan RopewayGifuLess than 1 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetGifu CastleGifuLess than 1 km away (straight line)
Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.
Crowds
- Crowd level
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Best time to visit
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Peak time
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest days
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest season
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Latest traveler report
- None yet
Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).
You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps
Visiting respectfully
- RulesNo smoking on any boat; shared boats do not run on fireworks festival days.Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site
Verification log
- 26 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://www.kankou-gifu.jp/spot/detail_914.htmlClosing days, fees, access, seasons, description, address and coordinates read from a tourism organization's site.