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Gifu Prefecture is located in the central part of Japan. In the northern part of the prefecture is a range of high mountains, and in the southern part flows with clean rivers and streams. Gifu abounds with beautiful natural areas. Moreover, traditional culture remains strong in the area and a beautiful blend of traditional and modern life can be seen. Gifu Prefecture is home to nationally famous sightseeing spots such as Takayama, Gujo Hachiman, and Ogaki. Gifu City, the prefectural seat, and where Gifu University is located, has abundant sightseeing (cultural) resources including traditional cormorant fishing in the Nagara River, which runs through the heart of Gifu. Gifu City is mid-size city with a population of approximately 400,000. Prices are more reasonable than in larger cities, too. More than anything else, though, the people of Gifu City are warmhearted, making it a great place for international students.
Gifu University is a national university located northwest of Gifu City, the home of the prefectural government. The University’s roots originate in a teacher training school established in 1873. In 1949, the Gifu High School of Agriculture and Forestry and Gifu Prefectural High School of Technology were merged to form a national university with faculties of education, agriculture and technology. Currently, there are five faculties including the faculties of medicine and regional science. The University boasts high quality education and research in a wide range of areas, with seven postgraduate research departments and other educational/research centers such as the library, Information and Multimedia Center, Life Science Research Center, River Basin Research Center, Regional Collaborative Research Center, and the International Student Center.
Gifu City has a beneficial transport and geographical location, approximately two hours away from Tokyo (by shinkansen), approximately one hour away from Kyoto (by shinkansen), and approximately 20 minutes from Nagoya. The Yanagido area where the University campus is located is approximately 30 minutes away from Gifu Station by bus. The area is in the countryside with abundant nature and benefits from being in a quiet environment away from the urban bustle. Students, therefore, can concentrate on their studies in a calm atmosphere. On campus are a variety of flowers blossoming each season, such as cherry blossoms, azalea and hydrangea, adding color to campus life.
Even before I came to Gifu, I had always had a longing for the place. This is because I found out in a book when I was a junior high school student that the Nagara River was the birthplace of cormorant fishing. Just as I thought, the air of Gifu brings me a refreshing feeling. What I love most is that I could appreciate the great nature of the mountains and rivers. Whenever I see mountains and rivers here and there, I feel that Gifu truly coexists with nature. A great tradition like cormorant fishing was created because there was a river as beautiful as the Nagara River. Tourists come to Gifu, stay in Gifu, and enjoy themselves by watching night cormorant fishing and having ayu fish from the Nagara River. I believe that Gifu is really a comfortable place to live.
(Japanese Language & Culture Studies Course student)
The first foreign city I lived in was Gifu City. You can experience a variety of cultures in Gifu since it is located in the center of Japan. Plum blossoms in the plum grove park in spring, cormorant fishing in the Nagara River in summer, tinted autumn leaves of Kinka-zan in fall, and snow in Gifu Park in winter. Gifu City has distinctive charm and is a special city for me.
(Japanese Language & Culture Studies Course student)
