Gifu Kawaramachi

Gifu Kawaramachi

岐阜川原町

The Kawaramachi area is located in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture. It refers to the townscape of “Minatomachi, Tamaimachi,
and Motohamamachi,” which stretches west from the Ukai sightseeing boat boarding area along the Nagara River. This
town has been noteworthy since the times of Saito Dosan and Oda Nobunaga.
When Dosan was building the castle town, he established a river port from here upwards. It is believed that products
such as Mino paper, timber, tea, and the famousSeki cutlery, which were abundant in the upstream region of the Nagara
River, were distributed nationwide through this area.

In the Edo period, this area prospered as a port town along the Nagara River. During the Edo period, the Owari
Domain governed this area and established the Nagara River Office, collecting ship tax (transit tax) from cargo ships
passing through. The types of cargo varied and included bamboo bark, sake, ash, charcoal, paper, wood, tea, and rice.
Numerous wholesalers dealing in paper, timber, and other goods lined the streets. Even today, lattice doors reminiscent of
old merchant houses remain.

川原町(かわらまち)界隈は岐阜県岐阜市にあります。長良川の湖畔、鵜飼観覧船乗り場から西へ続く「湊町・玉井町・元浜町」の町並みの事を称して「川原町」と呼んでいます。斎藤道三、織田信長時代から注目されていた町で、道三は城下町をつくるにあたり、ここから上にかけての場所に川湊を設け、長良川の上流域で豊富に産する美濃紙・木材・茶などや当時のブランド品であった関の刃物を、ここを中継地にして全国各地に売りさばいたとも考えることができます江戸時代には長良川の港町として栄えてきたスポットです。

江戸時代になると、尾張藩がここを治め、長良川役所が置かれました。ここを下る荷船から船役銀（通行税）を徴収しました。荷の種類は竹皮・酒・灰・炭・紙・木・茶・米など多様でした。それらを取り扱う紙問屋・材木問屋などが軒を連ねていました。今でも当時の商家を偲ばせる格子戸づくりがのこっています。軒屋根に設けられています屋根神様は町内を火災から守る秋葉神社です。珍しいところでは、明治のころの古い銀行の建物もあります。

The roof gods placed on the eaves are dedicated to Akiba Shrine, protecting the town from fires.
Interestingly, there is also an old bank building from the Meiji era. Additionally, there is a Koshindo hall built on the siteof the Zen temple Dentokokokuji, established by Dosan’s son, Saito Yoshitatsu. Strolling through this area, which stillretains the atmosphere of old times, enhances the charm of Ukai. The town, with its traditional Japanese houses that have narrow fronts and deep interiors, has been undergoing maintenance since 2000, with power lines and poles being buriedunderground. Amidst shops and restaurants housed in renovated old warehouses and townhouses, there are stores sellingtraditional crafts like Gifu’s famous ayugashi (sweetfish sweets) and Gifu uchiwa (fans), making it a popular spot for tourists.

また、道三の子斎藤義龍が建立した禅宗寺院の伝燈護国寺跡には、庚申堂が建てられています。
昔の面影がただようこの地域の散策は、鵜飼情緒をさらに高めてくれます。こ間口が狭く長い奥行の昔ながらの日本家屋が今も残っているこの町は、2000年より町並みの整備がされて、電柱や電線を地中に埋めました。昔の蔵や町屋を改装した雑貨屋やレストランがが並ぶ中、岐阜の名物の鮎菓子や岐阜うちわなど伝統工芸品店や岐阜の名産がそろうお店もあり、観光客に人気です。

The old townscapes found throughout Japan exude a unique charm. The traditional Japanese houses in Kawaramachi maynot have the flashy or bustling atmosphere of urban areas, but their calm and serene ambiance is pleasantly comforting. Walking along the streets lined with wooden lattice doors, which are seldom seen in modern houses, feels like steppingback in time. Eleven of the Japanese houses in Kawaramachi have been designated as important architectural structuresfor the city’s urban landscape.

日本各地にある古い町並み。川原町の日本家屋は都会のような派手さや賑やかさはありませんが、しっとりとして落ち着いた雰囲気が心地よく感じられます。現代の家屋ではすっかり見ることがない木の格子戸もが続いた通りを散策していると、まるでタイムスリップしたかのような感覚に陥ります。

These designated buildings are marked with plaques. As you veer off onto side streets and observe the side walls,you can experience the unique depth and length characteristic of traditional Japanese houses.

川原町にある日本家屋のうち11軒が市の都市景観重要建築物に指定されています。指定されている建物にはプレートが設置されています。横道にそれて横壁を見たり、日本家屋ならではの奥行きの長さを体感できます。

In Kawaramachi, you can enjoy strolling around while occasionally peeking into souvenir shops, restaurants, andgeneral stores scattered throughout the area. With the number of shops increasing each year, even those who havevisited before can find new things to enjoy. Additionally, there are experiences such as wearing traditional Japaneseclothing and decorating fans. The area also offers traditional souvenirs unique to Gifu, such as grilled sweetfish (ayu),sweetfish-shaped sweets, and Gifu fans, adding to its charm.

川原町にはお土産屋や飲食店、雑貨屋が所々にあり、ちょっと覗いて見てはまた歩くといった散策が楽しめます♪店舗も年々増えているので、以前訪れたことがある方でも楽しめます。また、和服体験や団扇絵付け製作などもあります。
鮎の塩焼きや鮎菓子、岐阜うちわなど、岐阜ならではの伝統的なお土産がそろうのも魅力です。

Kawaramachi, with its lattice-windowed townhouses, red round post boxes, and alleys flanked by the tall black wallsof storehouses, has been a bustling river port for merchants since the time of Oda Nobunaga. The townscape featurestraditional Japanese houses with narrow fronts and deep interiors, retaining their old-world charm while housing　numerous renovated stores. The number of these shops increases every year, offering a wide variety of cuisines fromItalian to Chinese, as well as cafes, sweets, and miscellaneous goods. Additionally, you can find traditional souvenirs unique to Gifu, such as grilled sweetfish (ayu), sweetfish-shaped sweets, and Gifu fans.

格子のある町家、赤くて丸いポスト、蔵の高い黒壁には挟まれた路地。織田信長の時代から商人の行き交う川湊だった川原町。間口が狭く奥行きのある昔ながらの日本家屋が続く町並には、古きよき趣はそのままに、町家や蔵を改装したお店が多く点在します。年々その数は増え続け、イタリアンから中華料理、カフェやスイーツ、雑貨と実に多彩。鮎の塩焼きや鮎菓子、岐阜うちわなど、岐阜ならではの伝統的なお土産がそろうのも魅力です。鵜飼観覧船のりばからすぐなので、
鵜飼観覧前の散策におすすめ。

Kawaramachi is conveniently located just a short walk from the Ukai sightseeing boat boarding area, making it an ideal spot for a stroll before enjoying the Ukai (cormorant fishing) viewing. Speaking of the Nagara River in GifuPrefecture, the famous Gifu Nagara River Ukai is well-known. The boarding area is also nearby. For those who canexperience the Ukai, it is highly recommended. However, for those visiting during the off-season or unable toexperience it due to time constraints, you can still get a feel of the atmosphere by observing the boats moorednearby.

岐阜県の長良川というと、ぎふ長良川鵜飼が有名です。乗船場もすぐ近くにあります。鵜飼を楽しめる方は楽しんでいただきたいですが、オフシーズンや時間の都合で鵜飼を楽しめない方は、近くに停泊している船で気分だけでも
体感していきましょう。

Kawaramachi is conveniently located just a short walk from the Ukai sightseeing boat boarding area, making it an ideal spot for a stroll before enjoying the Ukai (cormorant fishing) viewing. Speaking of the Nagara River in Gifu Prefecture, the famous Gifu Nagara River Ukai is well-known. The boarding area is also nearby. For those who canexperience the Ukai, it is highly recommended. However, for those visiting during the off-season or unable to experience it due to time constraints, you can still get a feel of the atmosphere by observing the boats moored nearby.

昔の町並みを楽しめる岐阜・川原町をご紹介しましたが、いかがでしたか？川原町には町並みだけでなく、飲食店や伝統工芸品、長良川鵜飼など、魅力の多い街ですので、岐阜観光をお考えの方はぜひ足を運んでみてください。

MInatomachi, Tamaimachi, and Motohamamachi Neighborhoods, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture 500-8008, Japan

〒500-8008 岐阜県岐阜市湊町・玉井町・元浜町　川原町通り　

Access : From JR Gifu Station (Platform 11, 12, 13) or Meitetsu Gifu Station (Platform 4), take the N Line
(towards Nagara Bridge) or the City Loop Left Circular Bus. Get off at “Nagara Bridge” and walk for 1 minute.
Fare: 230 yen one way
Bus frequency: Every 5 minutes
Travel time: 15 minutes

アクセス：JR岐阜駅（11・12・13番乗り場）または名鉄岐阜駅（4番乗り場）からＮ系統（長良橋方面）
　　　　　及び市内ループ左回りバス乗車。「長良橋」下車 徒歩1分
　　　　　料金：片道230円
　　　　　運行間隔：約5分毎　所要時間：15分

Parking：Gifu Park parking

駐車場　 ：岐阜公園駐車場