Gifu Castle is a mountain castle that stands on the summit of Mt. Kinka at an altitude of 329 meters. During the Sengoku period, it was the residence of Saito Dosan, and later it is known for being renamed "Gifu" by Oda Nobunaga as a base for his "Tenka Fubu" (the unification of the country). The current castle tower was restored in 1954, and inside is an exhibition room where you can see materials related to the history of Gifu Castle and Nobunaga. From the observation deck on the top floor, you can see not only the Gifu cityscape spreading out below you, but also the Kiso River, the Nobi Plain, Mt. Ontake, and the Japanese Alps in the distance, and the magnificent view is truly spectacular.

Mt. Kinka can be easily accessed from Gifu Park by taking the Mt. Kinka Ropeway. The view from the ropeway is also wonderful, and you can enjoy the nature of Mt. Kinka in all four seasons. As soon as you get off at the summit station, there is a path leading to Gifu Castle, and you can enjoy a walk on your way to the castle. The mountaintop is also home to Kinkazan Squirrel Village, where you can interact with adorable squirrels, making it a popular relaxing spot that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

This spot is recommended for a wide range of people, including families, couples, and history buffs, as you can enjoy historical exploration, spectacular views, and interacting with animals all at once.

The castle tower was reconstructed in 1957 using reinforced concrete, and has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Great Castles.

The Kinkazan Ropeway can be used to get to the castle. It runs every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 10 minutes on weekends.

You can also climb to the top in about an hour on foot.