, also known as Kinkazan, is located in the heart of the city of

Gifu is a city located in the south-central portion of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and serves as the prefectural capital. The city has played an important role in Japan's history because of its location in the middle of the country. During the Sengoku ...

Gifu Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshu. Gifu Prefecture has a population of 1,991,390 () and has a geographic area of . Gifu Prefecture borders Toyama Prefecture to the north; Ishikawa Prefecture to the northwest, F ...

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

, and rises to a height of . Previously called , it has long served as the representative symbol of Gifu. It stands along the

Nagara River The has its source in the city of Gujō, Gifu Prefecture, and its mouth in the city of Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Along with the Kiso River and Ibi River, the Nagara River is one of the Kiso Three Rivers of the Nōbi Plain. Previously, ...

, creating bountiful nature within the city. Though it is the most famous mountain in the city,

Mount Dodo , or Mount Dodogamine, is located in the northern part of the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan it is in height, making it the tallest mountain in the city. The mountain's small valley includes Matsuo Pond and Hagi Falls.Kamakura period The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first ''shōgun'' Minamoto no Yoritomo after the conclusion of the Genpei War, which saw the struggle bet ...

Gifu Castle is a Japanese castle located in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Along with Mount Kinka and the Nagara River, it is one of the main symbols of the city. The castle is also known as . It was designated a National Historic Site in 2011 ...

atop Mt. Kinka has gone through many forms, with the current building being constructed in 1956.''Gifu Prefecture: Japan's Beautiful Heartland''. Gifu International Center, 1994. One of its first major residents was

Saitō Dōsan , also known as Saitō Toshimasa (斎藤利政), was a Japanese samurai during the Sengoku period. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005)"Saitō Dōsan"in ''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 809. He was also known as the for his ruthless tactics. His hono ...

, who lived in the castle when it was still being called ''Inabayama Castle'' and the mountain was still called ''Mt. Inaba''. The next resident of the castle,

Oda Nobunaga was a Japanese ''daimyō'' and one of the leading figures of the Sengoku period. He is regarded as the first "Great Unifier" of Japan. Nobunaga was head of the very powerful Oda clan, and launched a war against other ''daimyō'' to unify ...

, changed the castle's name at the same time that he changed the name of the surrounding town and the mountain. The castle eventually fell into disrepair and vanished from Gifu's skyline. However, it was rebuilt in 1956 and that is the castle that still stands today. During reconstruction, tiles were carried to the top by volunteers. Those who helped were able to write messages on the roof tiles before they were put in place. Those who helped were able to experience what it was like when the castle was originally built many years before. From the top of the castle, visitors have a 360-degree view, effectively giving them a view to all the borders of the city of Gifu. Inside the castle are many artifacts from its past. Centuries ago, the mountain was protected as a hunting ground for the

Owari Clan Owari may refer to: * The Owari Mandarin orange, a widely cultivated fruit of Japanese origin * Additional Japan-related topics: ** Owari House, a branch family of the Tokugawa clan that ruled Japan during the Edo era ** Owari Province, a former re ...

, preserving the trees from being used to build the area as it grew from a small town to a large city. Today, the forest is designated as a national forest,Gifu City Tourist Information
Gifu City Hall. Accessed November 13, 2007. giving protection to the over 700 types of plants and 80 types of birds that can be found on the mountain. In 2005, the top of the mountain was renovated, adding lights and walkways to improve the ease of use to visitors of the castle.''Gifu-shi no Ayumi (Outline of Gifu City 2005)''. Gifu City Hall, April 2005. The new signs provide additional information about the castle and the surrounding structures, while the lights add to the allure of the castle's panoramic night viewing.

Reaching the summit

Mt. Kinka has four marked trails for hikers who wish to walk to the top of the mountain.
. Gifu City Hall. Accessed June 12, 2007. The other option for reaching the summit is by taking the

Mt. Kinka Ropeway The is Japanese aerial lift line in Gifu, Gifu. This is the only line operates. The company belongs to Meitetsu Group. The line, opened in 1955, climbs Mount Kinka, linking Gifu Park and Gifu Castle. Background In addition to taking a hiking tr ...

, which first opened in 1955. This ropeway enables visitors to reach the top of the mountain in less than five minutes. The hours of operation for the ropeway vary depending on the seasons throughout the year, but it is generally open from 9:00am to 6:00pm. On weekdays, it runs every 15 minutes, while on weekends and holidays, it runs every 10 minutes.Kinkazan
Kinkazan Co. Access June 12, 2007

Summit attractions

Mt. Kinka has three main attractions at its summit.

and the Gifu Castle Archives Museum offers insight into the history behind the castle and the mountain. The Observation Deck Restaurant offers visitors a panoramic view of the city, in addition to hot meals. There is an observation deck on top of the restaurant that provides a view that cannot be seen from Gifu Castle. Also, in the Mt. Kinka Squirrel Village, visitors can play with and feed squirrels while learning about the four species inside the Squirrel Village.

Area attractions

Additionally, there are many attractions at the base of Mt. Kinka. *

Gifu City Museum of History The is a city-supported history museum located in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Located in Gifu Park at the base of Mount Kinka, it is in the heart of Gifu City's sightseeing area. The museum primarily focuses on the history and tra ...

Gifu Park is a public park located at the base of Mount Kinka in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Inside the park, there are many attractions, including Gifu Castle, Mount Kinka, the Mt. Kinka Ropeway, the Gifu City Museum of History, the Eiz ...

Eizō & Tōichi Katō Memorial Art Museum The is a museum located in Gifu Park in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is dedicated to the works of the brothers Eizō and Tōichi Katō, who were born in the city. It is part of the Gifu City Museum of History. Facility layout ...

Inaba Shrine is a Shinto shrine located at the base of Mount Kinka in Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Originally, its name was written 稲葉神社, which is pronounced the same way. It is the main shrine that is celebrated by the city of Gifu in its annual Gi ...

* Site of Oda Nobunaga's Former Residence, Senjō-jiki (千畳敷) *

Nawa Insect Museum The is a museum in the city of Gifu, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is operated by the Nawa Insect Research Center. History Yasushi Nawa, the man who discovered the Gifu Butterfly and is known as "The Insect Man," opened the Nawa Insect Research ...

References

{{commons category Gifu Kinka, Mount