【Gifu Wandering Walking Plan】
Guided city walks with a private guide and French cuisine at on a luxury Ukai viewing boat.
Witness the mesmerizing spectacle of cormorant fishing on the Nagara River at night. Skilled cormorant masters and their cormorants work together under the glow of bonfires, creating a scene both majestic and exciting.
Before embarking on this unique experience, you'll embark on a guided city tour with a private guide. Explore the Cormorant Village, the Nagara River Cormorant Museum, the Nagara River Promenade, and the Kawaramachi district, a charming old downtown area.
Savor an elegant French dinner onboard one of the only three luxurious viewing boats available. As the boat departs, fireworks signal the start of the cormorant fishing. The boatman's skillful maneuvering will take you down the river, offering a privileged vantage point to observe the cormorants at work. We hope this will be a truly unforgettable memory of your trip to Gifu.
Contens
◆Creation of original plans (tailor-made)
◆ABOUT NAGARAGAWA UKAI
◆Gifu Nagara River cormorant fishing
Gifu Nagara River cormorant fishing Dates.
11 May to 15 October Every night except during the mid-autumn moon and when the wateris high.
A world of ethereal beauty unfolds at night on the Nagara River.
Cormorant fishing is a classical fishing method in which cormorants master and cormorants work in unison. The Nagara River basin boasts a history of over 1,300 years,
It is said that Oda Nobunaga was the first to introduce cormorant fishing as a method of
hospitality by " showin" (=attracting) cormorants.
Even Tokugawa Ieyasu was captivated by it! Cormorant fishing under the protection of the shoguns.
Cormorants have enjoyed the protection of powerful men of the time, such as Tokugawa Ieyasu, who liked ayu-zushi(Sweet fish-Sushi) and had it presented to Edo.
It is said that Ieyasu, Hidetada and his son stayed in Gifu on their way back from the summer campaign of the siege of Osaka (1614 CE) and watched the cormorants.
Imperial Cormorant Fishing(The Goryo Cormorant)
Imperial Cormorant Fishing(The Goryo Cormorant) Festival is held eight times a year, with the cormorant fishing commencing Imperial Cormorant Fishing(The Goryo Cormorant) Festival has finishd.
International visitors are also fascinated⁉
World-class cormorant fishing on the Nagara River.
Charles Chaplin, the world's king of comedy, visited the Nagara River Cormorant Fishery
twice to watch cormorants, and is said to have called them "Wonderful! " and praised thecormorants master as "Artists" Many tourists, both domestic and foreign, are still fascinated by cormorants.
◆Nagaragawa-ukai
Going down with the cormorant fishing master’s boat
That's called “Karikudari “ hunting down.
A bonfire burning in the pitch blackness, inviting you into the world of classical Japanese picture scrolls.
The cormorant fishing master's voice, "ho-ho-ho", and the tapping of the oars on the boat slips echoes pleasantly down the clear Nagara River.
◆Enjoy 'French cuisine at Cormorant fishing boat' in Eauetsel.
uKAI de French
Boatmen skillfully maneuver bamboo poles to steer the boat.
Soon the boat comes to a halt at the riverside while enjoying the view of Mount Kinka and the Nagara riverside.
Another pleasure of the Nagara River cormorant fishing is the dinner on board.
Enjoy a French dinner box and a glass of sake or wine while you wait for the cormorants fishing to start.
The pleasant breeze on the boat, the scenery at dusk, the chirping of birds, the happy murmur of the people - it's a heart-pounding experience.
Looking up at Mount Kinka, Gifu Castle and the shimmering surface of the Nagara River, you are amidst the beautiful scenery of Gifu,
Eauetsel's chef prepares French cuisine with all his heart.
When you have enjoyed the afterglow with a glass of wine in hand, there will be a fireworks display to start the cormorants fishing.
Choose between an Omotenashi French meal or a full French course at Okamochi(Paper delivery Box)。
◆Schedule
15:00 Gathering
-Cormorant fishing Museum (Ukai Museum)
-Cormorant fishing master Village
-Matcha green tea and sweets at Tamaiya
-Kawaramachi street Stroll (Old downtown street)
-Cormorant viewing boat office
17:45 Cormorant story (omitted).
*Enjoy the lively scenery of the boarding area.
18:00 Departure
Anchor upstream, talk by cormorant fishing master
(He comes alongside the boat and explains the history of cormorants, the cormorant's costume, the cormorant fishing method and the cormorants.)
*Only for luxury boats, cormorant masters give commentary next to the boat.
18:30 Dinner
-Enjoy 'French cuisine at Cormorant fishing boat' in Eauetsel.
19:30-45 Start of cormorant fishing
20:30 End
◆Gifu Wandering Walking
Cormorant fishing Museum (Ukai Museum)
The Nagara River Cormorant Fishing Festival, held annually from May 11 to
October 15, has a history of 1,300 years.
The value of cormorant fishing on the Nagara River, with its history and
traditions, is introduced in an easy-to-understand and fun way through
videos, quizzes, and a hands-on corner.
Visitors can also dress up in traditional cormorant fishing master’s
costumes and take commemorative photos.
In the museum garden, visitors can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the
clear waters of the Nagara River and the lush green mountains of Kinka.
Cormorant fishing master Village
One step from the right bank of the Nagara River is a row of houses where
cormorants fishing master live together and take care of their cormorants
every day.
In this area, you can see firewood piled up in the yard, tools used in
cormorant fishing, and cormorants up close.
Nagara River Promenade
The Nagara River running through the center of Gifu City and Mt.Kinka are the pride of Gifu City and an asset of the region, as they still maintain a rich natural environment in the city center and give us a sense of peace and tranquility.
The promenade, which means "walking path "in French, is an important place of pride for
Gifu, where not only tourists but also citizens take walks, rest and talk.
The promenade is also a great place to watch from the boat after the boat departs.
View from Nagara Bridge
Nagara Bridge is one of the most important and symbolic bridges for Gifu citizens, with
many vehicles passing by throughout the day.
During the cormorant fishing season, the cormorant fishing viewing boats waiting by the
riverside under the bridge and the lively boatmen in the evening are an exciting sight.
A statue of a cormorant master stands at the southern end of Nagara Bridge and is a
popular photo spot for cormorant fishing tourists.
Matcha green tea and sweets at Tamaiya
It is time to take a break.
After a stroll around Gifu, we have matcha green tea and seasonal sweets at Tamaiya
Honpo and take a break to look at the garden.
It's time for an aperitif to build up the anticipation for the cormorant fishing season, which is about to begin.
Seasonal confectionery represent the four seasons, events and landscapes of Japan.
Take a break and enjoy the beautiful traditional hospitality and matcha tea.
The 「Nobori-ayu」, a famous confectionary representing Gifu, is very popular. There are a variety of sweets to choose from.
Kawaramachi street Stroll (Old downtown street)
"Minato-machi, Tamai-cho, and Motohama-cho"that runs west from the cormorant viewing boat stop is commonly known as ";Kawara-machi" and still retains its old townscape with lattice doors.
This town was founded about 500 years ago by Saito Dosan, a feudal warlord,as a river port town.
Later, Oda Nobunaga, who went to Kyoto under the slogan "Tenka Fubu(天下布武
)/ unify the nation by force “ took over the town and developed it.
Visitors can enjoy traditional crafts such "Gifu Uchiwa"(Gifu fan),
Gifu's famous "sweetfish sweets" and matcha (powdered green tea), Hida beef,
sake and gin made from Nagara River's underground water, and Nagara River hot springs.
Cormorant viewing boat office
Around 17:00, the cormorant boats arrive at the shore and the boatmen begin their lively
preparations.
Gradually, the number of tourists begins to increase and the boarding area is filled with
excitement.
At 17:45, a cormorant gives a very popular cormorant fishing commentary at the boardingarea.
18:00 The boat will set sail.
◆PLAN
Plan Pricing/Details
City walking with private guide and [French cuisine at Cormorant Fishing] plan
Number of persons: from 4 ~6 persons
Price: for 4 persons: JPY187,800
1 additional person JPY12,500 (total: up to 6 persons) including tax
Dates: Saturdays/Sundays and public holidays during the period
2024,
May 11.12.18.19.25.26
June 1.2.8.9.15.16.22.23.29.30
July 6.7.13.14.15.20.21.28
Aug 3.4.11.12.13.14.15.16.18.25.31
Sep 1.7.8.14.15.16.21.22.23.28.29
Oct 5.6.12.13
<About the plan>
○Regarding the boat, We are planning to use the [luxury spectator boat ”Shiratsuki( White Moon)].
However, as there is only one boat available, it is on a first-come, first-served basis.
If the Shiratsuki(White moon) is not available, add the luxury viewing boat
Hanakagari(Flower bonfire)/Aiyama(Blue mountain): JPY44,700 or conventional cormorant.
*Please note that due to the status of the boat, it may not be possible to make the booking as requested
*Please note that the guide's schedule, ship bookings and restaurant bookings may not be able to accommodate your wishes or may not be available. Please understand.
*Citizens and cormorants master live in the town walking area. Please act with moderation.
Please take care to avoid heat stroke and hydrate frequently as Gifu summers are hot. Please wear heat stroke-conscious clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
*The Company shall not be liable for any damage caused to customers or third parties as a result of the use of this service, except where such damage is caused by the Company's intention or negligence.
*In the event of cormorant fishing being canceled due to inclement weather or rising water levels, meals will be served at a different venue.
Cuisine
Please choose between [Omotenashi French lunch box(Obento)] or [Full Course French Course].
Please note that it is not possible to mix and match dishes.
《Gifu Omotenashi French lunch box(Obento)》
A combination of Gifu ingredients and French cuisine in a wooden box lunch box,
presented by the chef of Eau Etsel.
A beautiful meal with a touch of Japanese sophistication, prepared with French
techniques using Gifu's representative Hida beef, sweetfish from the Nagara River, Gifu's
river fish: Chalco trout salmon, Oku-Mino-Kojidori chicken and lobster.
《Full Course French Dinner at Gifu Cormorant》
A full French course, mainly using ingredients from Gifu, is served as the chef arranges
them, one plate at a time.
The course is structured like a concerto, with a lingering aftertaste.
(Contents.)
Appetizers: seasonal vegetables from Gifu, river fish from Gifu, Chalco trout salmon.
Second course: seasonal soup and bread.
Fish dish: Gifu sweetfish(Ayu) confit.
Meat dish: Hida beef poiret.
Desserts: Seasonal sweets
Five components.
Enjoy the pleasant breeze flowing over the water and the night in Gifu!
◆Cormorant viewing luxury boats
Unlike conventional boats, the luxury boats are equipped with bench seats on both sides of the boat, allowing visitors to sit on them with their feet flat on the floor, while the indirect lighting is dimmable and provides gentle illumination inside the boat.
[Shiratsuki(White moon)].
White" of white wood. The soft 'white' represented by Mino washi paper is the basis of the
interior design, and cypress and cedar wood is used inside the yakata to create a soft,
enveloping white space.
The Aiyama and Hanakagari rooms are also available.
Aiyama and Hanakagari have large boats and are available for a separate fee.
Creation of original plans (tailor-made)
Sake, wine and other drinks on request.
We can also arrange catering services with chefs and waiters on board,
flutists and violinists.
We will take great care to ensure that you have a wonderful cormorant fishing
experience.
Please feel free to contact us.
Contact
E-MAIL： info@eauetsel-restaurant.net
◆Please note
Payment method [Advance payment is required] Credit card payment.
◆Cancellation policy.
Catering cannot be cancelled even in the event of a cormorant being cancelled.
In the event of cancellation, no cancellation fee will be charged up to 5 days prior to the date of cancellation.
From the date of reservation 70% of the meal price 4 days prior and 100% from 3 days prior to the date of reservation to the day of the meal.