“Discover Kanayama: A Cyclist’s Paradise in Gifu, Japan”

As you know, Kanayama in Nagoya City is famouns for most people in Japanese.

But, in contrast, Kanayama in Gifu Pref is not popular than Kanayama in Nagoya City.

But, I know that this minor place is good for cycling as a local cyclists.

That’s why, let me describe this small town’s attractions from now.

History of Kanayama

This town is located in south of Gero City that is fomouns for its great hotsprings.

Kanayama city had a gold mine.

Kanayama means “a gold mountain” in Japanese.

As you know, Gifu Pref is divided between Mino region and Hida region.

This small city is included by Hida region.

The town is loaceted in south of Hida region, this means, the town was gate of the Hida region from the past.

The town has a significant rivers such as Hida river and Maze river.

In the past, the river had a significant duties to transfar the woods nad things.

Due to the geopolitical issues, the town had a great role in the past.

the town was divided by several small countries due to significant geopolitical thinking from the central government.

As a matter of fact, there were a lot of conflicts and compliants each small countries.

Nowadays, according to the local residents, until recent days, people didn’t get along with each other.

From the histry, despite big town in south Hida region, the town was merrged by other famous city called Gero.

Explore the anciant town

In middle of Winter, I went to Kanayama again on Janualy 20th in 2025.

It was 2 degrees at 8 30, so there were no cyclists.

If I can go to the town, I had to climb the huge mountain path called Fukurozaka touge.

This mountain path had a lot of leafs all around.

I always have to be careful to avoid the trafic incident and get the flat tires.

Before, I have got injury.

If you get the mountain, you arrive at the top of the mountain, there is a scenic view of the mountain called “mountain path of fukurozaka”.

You can see a great sacred mountain called “Ontake” clearly.

But, it had a lot of cloud in front of the mountain at that time.

Center of the town

If you can get the town, I recommend you to go to Hida kaidou.

This place has histrical atmophere until now.

You can see a heritage of histrical public bath.

And then, you can go into the archetecture directly.

Near the histrical district, you can get the shucream from the vending machine.

You can eat this food that is only 250 yen.

If you are tired from the long cycling, you can take a local sweets from the vending machine automaticaly.

Also, there is a huge souvenir shop called “Hizan”.

This restaurant is able to serve a variety of foods and meals.

Kanayama is popular for its great falls called Four falls in Yokoya.

After seeing the great district, I recommend you to go to the falls.

You can see four big falles directly.

When I was in summer, it was cool.