Enjoy Travel to Japan!
Home

Hida Furukawa, Gifu – Quiet Canal Town with White Storehouses and Lively Spring Festival

Hida Furukawa, Gifu – Quiet Canal Town with White Storehouses and Lively Spring Festival
Hida Furukawa, next to Takayama in Gifu, is a peaceful town of white-walled storehouses, stone-paved streets and carp-filled canals that also hosts the dynamic Hida Furukawa Festival each April. This guide covers the main sights around Setogawa and the old town, the festival and its “Okoshi Daiko” drumming, sake brewery tours, Hida beef dishes, nearby nature, and how to reach Hida Furukawa from Takayama, Nagoya and beyond.

Highlights

Hida Furukawa – Quick Guide

Hida Furukawa is a quiet former castle town known for its white-walled storehouses and the carp swimming in the Setogawa Canal, where you can enjoy a relaxed walk along the streets, plus local festivals, food, and culture.

Old Streets to Explore

Walking past rows of white-walled storehouses and along stone-paved lanes gives a sense of historical charm dating back to the Edo period. Mornings and evenings are quieter, making it easier to take photos.

Setogawa Canal & Carp Scenery

Colorful carp swim through the Setogawa Canal running through the center of town, creating the calming scenery Hida Furukawa is known for. The waterways are part of daily life, so it’s best to enjoy them quietly and respectfully.

Furukawa Festival Hall (Pre-Visit)

At the Furukawa Festival Hall, you can see exhibits recreating the Hida Furukawa Festival, with floats and taikodai up close. Visiting first helps you better understand what you see on your walk.

Hida Furukawa Festival (Apr 19–20)

Held every year on April 19 and 20, the Hida Furukawa Festival is known for its ornate float procession and the late-night “Okoshi Daiko” drum ritual. It gets crowded, so booking accommodation and transport early can help.

Access

Reach Hida-Furukawa Station on the JR Takayama Line via Nagoya (about 4 hours from Tokyo as a rough guide). By car, it’s about 2.5 hours from Nagoya, or about 20 minutes from Takayama via Route 41 (rough guide). There are multiple parking lots in the central area.

Seasons & Local Etiquette

Spring is lively with the festival, summer is cool for strolling, autumn brings foliage, and winter offers snow scenes. Don’t throw anything into the canals or toward the carp, and walk quietly with respect for the residential setting.

For the latest information, please refer to official announcements or check on site.

What Is Hida Furukawa? A Beautiful Town Where Tradition Meets Nature

Hida Furukawa (飛騨古川) in Hida City, Gifu Prefecture, is an area filled with local culture, known for its white-walled storehouses, picturesque streets along the Seto River (Setogawa), and a nostalgic townscape.

With easy access—about 15 minutes by train from JR Takayama Station—it has also drawn attention as one of the model locations for the film “Your Name.” (Kimi no Na wa.).

The scenery of white-walled storehouses, stone-paved streets, and colorful carp swimming in the waterways of the Seto River lets you fully feel the charm of Japan’s regional towns.

It’s an ideal destination to forget the bustle of the city and spend time at a relaxed pace.


Top Things to See in Hida Furukawa

White-Walled Storehouses and the Seto River Streetscape

When you visit Hida Furukawa, start by strolling through the center of town.

The streets lined with white-walled storehouses have a timeless atmosphere that evokes history.

  • Seto River and the Carp-Filled Waterways
  • Many carp are released into the Seto River running through the town center.
  • The carp release is carried out seasonally, and there are times in winter when you cannot see them because the carp are moved.
  • It’s a soothing scene beloved not only by travelers but also by local residents.
  • Hida Furukawa Festival Hall (Furukawa Matsuri Kaikan)
  • A facility where you can experience the Furukawa Festival, held every year on April 19–20, through videos and real displays.
  • The display of actual festival floats may change depending on rotations.
  • You can admire exquisite carvings and the craftsmanship of Hida artisans up close.

Furukawa Festival (Furukawa Matsuri)

The Furukawa Festival is a traditional festival held every year on April 19 and 20 as the annual festival of Keta Wakamiya Shrine (Keta Wakamiya Jinja).

The “Okoshi Daiko and Yatai Float Events of the Furukawa Festival” are known as one of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage “Yama, Hoko, Yatai” float festivals.

  • Float Procession (Yatai Eikō)
  • The sight of floats adorned with intricate carvings parading through town is spectacular.
  • Children’s kabuki and offerings of karakuri puppets are also performed.
  • Okoshi Daiko (Awakening Drum)
  • A powerful event held on the night of the 19th, filling the entire town with energy.
  • A signature highlight of Hida Furukawa where locals and visitors come together in excitement.


Best Experiences in Hida Furukawa

Local Food and Sake Brewery Hopping

  • Hida Beef Dishes
  • Enjoy beef dishes unique to the Hida region.
  • Hida beef sushi and steak are especially popular.
  • Sake Brewery Visits in Hida
  • Hida Furukawa has several sake breweries, including Watanabe Sake Brewery (Watanabe Shuzōten) and Kaba Brewery (Kaba Shuzōjō).
  • Tastings and tours vary depending on each brewery’s guidance and conditions.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Hida Furukawa is also blessed with nature, with surrounding mountains and rivers showing beautiful scenery throughout the seasons.

It’s also recommended to rent a bicycle and ride through rural landscapes, or enjoy nearby hiking courses.

The Hida City Tourism Association may also offer guided tours depending on the period.


How to Get to Hida Furukawa

By Public Transportation

  • From Tokyo
  • A common guideline is taking the Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya, then the JR Takayama Line limited express “Hida” to Hida-Furukawa Station in about 3 hours.
  • From Osaka/Kyoto
  • A typical guideline is via Nagoya by Shinkansen, then using the JR Takayama Line in about 3–4 hours.
  • From Takayama
  • About 15 minutes on the JR Takayama Line to Hida-Furukawa Station, making it an easy day trip.

By Car

  • From Nagoya
  • Using the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway, about 2.5 hours is a common guideline.
  • From Takayama
  • Via National Route 41, about 20 minutes is a common guideline.

In the town center, there are multiple free and paid parking lots, convenient for travelers.


Tips for Visiting Hida Furukawa

Seasonal Recommendations

  • Spring (mid to late April)
  • The town is filled with festival spirit during the Furukawa Festival (April 19–20).
  • Accommodations can fill up early, so booking ahead is recommended.
  • Summer (June to August)
  • Lush greenery spreads out, and you can enjoy walking in a relatively cool climate.
  • Autumn (late October to mid November)
  • Peak season for autumn foliage, with a beautiful contrast against the white-walled storehouses.
  • Winter (December to February)
  • Enjoy a quiet atmosphere in snowy scenery.
  • In mid-January, the traditional event “Santera Mairi” is held.

Local Manners

  • As this is also a living space for local residents, be considerate and keep your stroll quiet.
  • Please be careful not to throw anything other than fish food into the Seto River carp waterways.

Suggested Time Needed

Strolling the townscape of Hida Furukawa is typically about 1–2 hours.

If you include a visit to the festival hall, sake brewery hopping, and lunch, allowing 3–4 hours is a good idea.

Hida Furukawa is a captivating destination where a beautiful townscape and rich culture come together.

Why not enjoy a relaxed pace while taking in Japan’s traditions and nature?



Frequently Asked Questions

A. Hida-Furukawa is a small castle town where white-walled storehouses line the Setogawa River, perfect for a quiet stroll. In the morning, reflections on the water are especially beautiful and can change the feel of photos.
A. From Takayama Station, it’s about 15 minutes to Hida-Furukawa Station on the JR Takayama Line. You can start walking right away, but if you have a lot of luggage, storing it in Takayama first makes exploring more comfortable.
A. The Furukawa Festival is held every year on April 19 and 20, featuring the Okoshi-daiko (rousing drum) and a procession of festival floats. Nights can feel chilly, so a light jacket and comfortable shoes are reassuring.
A. Yes. The Furukawa Festival is inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage as part of the “Yama, Hoko, Yatai, float festivals in Japan.” If you step slightly away from crowded intersections, you can enjoy the music and drums more calmly.
A. In winter, the carp spend time in a nearby pond and return to the Setogawa River in spring, which is a seasonal tradition. Evenings are less crowded and easier for photos from bridges, and timing it when carp gather can add movement to your shots.
A. If you focus on the White-Walled Storehouse District and the Setogawa area, 1–2 hours is usually enough. Smaller shops can run low on items by early afternoon, so going earlier for snacks and shopping can be more satisfying.
A. Yes. On rainy days, the storehouse eaves make walking easier, and winter snow scenery can be very photogenic. Waterproof shoes help, and gloves can keep you warmer while waiting for photos or strolling along the river.
A. The Setogawa River, with its white walls, waterways, and carp, is the classic spot—shooting from a bridge looking down the river is especially popular. Early mornings are quieter, making it easier to photograph without a tripod, with beautiful reflections.

Nearby Recommended Spots

Check out recommended articles in this area

※ The article content is based on information at the time of writing and may differ from the current situation. In addition, we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the published content, please understand.