🗺️ Kawaramachi Old Street川原町のまちなみ

"Kawaramachi" refers to the area extending from the fishing boat boarding point on the southern bank of the Nagara River, westward to Minatomachi, Tamai-cho, and Motohama-cho, making it one of the most popular attractions in Gifu City. Originally, Kawaramachi was a castle town built by Dosan, and Nobunaga planned and developed it as a base for his ambition to unify the country. It has been designated as a Japanese heritage site under the theme of "Gifu, the castle town of the Warring States period that retains the spirit of 'Nobunaga's hospitality.'" In its early days, the Kawaramachi area prospered as a riverside settlement thanks to the water transport along the Nagara River, featuring numerous wholesale shops for paper and timber. Today, there are still rows of buildings with wooden lattice windows, preserving a unique aesthetic in the streetscape. In addition to manufacturing and selling traditional crafts such as Gifu washi paper and Gifu lanterns, there are shops offering experiential courses, as well as restaurants that have transformed traditional townhouses into retro-style dining establishments, making it a perfect place for leisurely strolls. There are also kimono rental services available, so you might consider wearing a kimono and taking photos along the picturesque streets.

The area extending west from the boat boarding point for the cormorant fishing viewing boat on the southern bank of the Nagara River. At that time, there were many paper and lumber wholesale stores lined up, and today, the beautiful streetscape is still preserved. Originally built by the feudal lord Saitō Dōsan of Mino Province (now the southern part of Gifu Prefecture) and developed into a prosperous castle town by Nobunaga. The area has been recognized as a Japanese Heritage site. In recent years, several restaurants have transformed traditional townhouses and old residences, making the old streets even more attractive.