Gifu Castle

Gifu Castle sits on the summit of Mt. Kinka, a 329-metre peak rising over central Gifu city. The site is historically associated with Oda Nobunaga, who used it as a base in the 16th century. The present three-storey keep is a reinforced-concrete reconstruction completed in 1956 and houses exhibits on the castle's history. Visitors usually reach the top by the Kinkazan Ropeway, which climbs from Gifu Park to the summit station in about three minutes, though hiking trails also lead up the mountain. From the keep and surrounding lookout there are wide views over the Nagara River and the city below. A squirrel village and a mountaintop rest house stand near the upper ropeway station.