Gifu Castle, Gifu | Japan is Nippon

Oda Nobunaga's base for unifying Japan, on the summit of Mount Kinka. Ride the ropeway up for views over the Nagara River and the Nobi Plain.

Gifu Castle's white keep rising above the trees on Mount Kinka — Photo: Alpsdake, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gifu Castle seen small on the wooded summit of Mount Kinka — Photo: baggio4ever, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The mountain castle Nobunaga named "Gifu"

Gifu Castle stands on the summit of Mount Kinka (Kinkazan, 329 m), which rises in the middle of Gifu city. In the Sengoku (Warring States) period, from the late 15th to the 16th century when warlords fought across the country, it was called Inabayama Castle and was the stronghold of Saito Dosan.

Oda Nobunaga captured the castle in 1567, renamed the area from Inokuchi to Gifu, and made it his headquarters in his push to unify the country. The name of today's Gifu city comes from this.

The castle fell before the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and was later dismantled. The current keep (tenshukaku, the castle's main tower) was rebuilt in reinforced concrete in 1956. The castle site was designated a national Historic Site in 2011.

Summit views and things to do on the mountain

From the summit of Mount Kinka you can look out over the Nagara River flowing just below and the townscape of the Nobi Plain. The top floor of the keep is a 360-degree viewing deck, and on clear days you can see as far as Mount Ibuki.

Around the summit ropeway station are Gifu Kinkazan Squirrel Village, where you can get close to squirrels, and a restaurant with a view. Remains such as stone walls and the sites of old gates also survive on the mountain.

The keep is closed for renovation until 2027

The keep has been closed since 19 May 2026 for earthquake-proofing work. According to Gifu city, it is expected to stay closed until October 2027 and reopen in November 2027. During the work the keep is covered in scaffolding and sheeting, so you cannot see its exterior either. The castle's history museum is also closed.

Because of the work, some paths in the summit area are closed from 25 November 2025 until the end of September 2027 (planned). The stone walls and other remains can still be seen as usual. Some hiking trails dead-end at the summit, so if you plan to walk up, check the latest information from Gifu city for your route.

Getting there

From JR Gifu Station, take a Gifu Bus for about 15 minutes to the Gifu Koen / Gifu-jo stop, then walk about 3 minutes to the lower station of the Gifu Kinkazan Ropeway. The ropeway reaches the summit station in about 4 minutes, and the castle is a few minutes' walk from there.

You cannot drive to the summit. You can also skip the ropeway and hike up the trails, which takes about an hour. Hours and fares may change, so check the ropeway's official website.

Tips

Until autumn 2027 you cannot enter the keep, and scaffolding hides its exterior. If the keep is what you want to see, it is best to visit after it reopens (planned for November 2027). The views from the summit can still be enjoyed during the work.
On the Nagara River, right by the castle, Nagara River ukai (traditional fishing using birds called cormorants) takes place from May to October.
In summer and at some other times the ropeway may run in the evening too, letting you enjoy Gifu's night view from the summit. Check the dates on the official website.