Trivia & Fun Facts About Gifu Prefecture
How much do you know about Gifu Prefecture?
Some of you may already know a lot—for example, that it was the stage for the Battle of Sekigahara, that it’s a landlocked prefecture with no sea, and that Shirakawa-go’s gassho-zukuri houses are famous.
In this article, we’ll introduce not only these well-known facts but also a range of deeper trivia about Gifu Prefecture all at once!
You’ll find plenty of tidbits you’ll want to share with others once you know them, so enjoy learning as you go!
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Trivia & Fun Facts of Gifu Prefecture (11–20)
There is a local dish called hebo cuisine that uses larvae of the black hornet (Vespula species).
In Ena City, Gifu Prefecture, there is a local dish that uses bee larvae.
“Hebo” refers to the black hornet (Vespula flaviceps), and although hornets generally have a fierce image, this species is considered relatively docile and less venomous among bees.
In the mountainous areas of landlocked Gifu Prefecture, hebo larvae have long been used as a precious source of protein in place of fish, and are cooked and eaten in dishes such as takikomi-gohan (seasoned mixed rice) and tsukudani (soy-simmered preserves).
There is a dam that boasts the largest total storage capacity in Japan.
The dam boasting the largest total storage capacity in Japan is the Tokuyama Dam, built upstream in Ibigawa Town in 2008.
Its storage volume is 660 million cubic meters, said to be about twice that of Lake Hamana.
The Ibi River has long been feared as a turbulent river that repeatedly floods due to the relationship between its length and gradient, and it is said that the construction of this dam has allowed for water flow regulation and reduced flood damage.
The dam firmly supports people’s lives by supplying tap water not only in Gifu but also in Aichi Prefecture, and by being used for hydroelectric power generation.
Sarubobo means “baby monkey.”
Are you familiar with sarubobo, which has been made since long ago in the Hida-Takayama area of Gifu Prefecture? It’s a red human-shaped doll with the word “Hida” written in the center of its body.
In the Hida dialect, “bobo” means baby, and because the red face of the doll resembles a baby monkey, it came to be called sarubobo.
In the Hida region, mothers traditionally made and gave these dolls to wish for their daughters’ safe childbirth, marital harmony, and children’s good health.
Gifu Castle is built on the summit of Mount Kinka.
Mount Kinka stands in the heart of Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture.
With an elevation of 329 meters, it is one of the city’s most iconic mountains.
Gifu Castle, built atop Mount Kinka, is also selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles.
The view from the summit, shaped by nature’s artistry, and its connection with local shrines have led people to revere it as a sacred mountain.
Based on the idea of it being a special mountain, it is said that Saitō Dōsan built the castle there.
Because it sits at the mountaintop, the castle was known as impregnable during the Warring States period, and people said that whoever ruled Mino would rule the realm.
The famous Usuzumi-zakura was named because its blossoms turn a pale ink color around the time they fall.
The Neodani Usuzumi Zakura in Motosu City, Gifu Prefecture, is a sightseeing spot designated as a National Natural Monument and is also known as one of Japan’s three great cherry trees.
It is said to be named after the way its blossoms change color as they fall.
The pale pink buds turn white at full bloom, and then shift to a light ink-gray as the petals begin to scatter—letting you feel the passage of time through the flowers’ hues.
Not only the Neodani Usuzumi Zakura itself, but its descendants have been planted in various locations across Gifu and Aichi Prefectures, so why not look for them by paying attention to the blossoms’ colors?
In conclusion
We’ve introduced a bunch of fun facts about Gifu Prefecture all at once.
From local gourmet foods and craftsmanship to things that are the best in Japan, there were all kinds of trivia, weren’t there? Take this opportunity to learn lots of Gifu facts and share them with your family and friends!