Gifu City

Gifu 岐阜市
Core city
Gifu City
Clockwise from top left: Cormorant fishing in Nagara River, Gifu Great Buddha Statue, View of Nagara River and Mount Kinka, Gifu City Tower 43, View of downtown Gifu from Mount Kinka panorama road, Gifu Castle
Flag Symbol
Location of Gifu in Gifu Prefecture
Gifu Location in Japan
Coordinates: 35°25′N 136°46′E / 35.417°N 136.767°E / 35.417; 136.767Coordinates: 35°25′N 136°46′E / 35.417°N 136.767°E / 35.417; 136.767
Country	Japan
Region	Chūbu
Prefecture	Gifu Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Shigemitsu Hosoe
Area
• Total	202.89 km2 (78.34 sq mi)
Population (July 2011)
• Total	412,895
• Density	2,000/km2 (5,300/sq mi)
Symbols
• Tree	Japanese Chinquapin
• Flower	Scarlet Sage
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address	18 Imazawa-chō, Gifu-shi, Gifu-ken 500-8701
Website	www.city.gifu.lg.jp

Gifu (岐阜市, Gifu-shi) 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 period, various warlords, including Oda Nobunaga, used the area as a base in an attempt to unify and control Japan. Gifu continued to flourish even after Japan's unification as both an important shukuba along the Edo period Nakasendō and, later, as one of Japan's fashion centers. Before becoming a modern city, it was part of the former Atsumi District, but it has since been designated a core city by the national government.

Located on the alluvial plain of the Nagara River, Gifu has taken advantage of the surrounding natural resources to create both traditional industries (including Mino washi and agriculture) and tourism opportunities like cormorant fishing.Mount Kinka, one of the city's major symbols, is home to a nationally designated forest and Gifu Castle, a replica of Nobunaga's former castle. Gifu also hosts many festivals and events throughout the year.

Two major rail lines connect Gifu to Japan's national and international transportation infrastructure. JR Central's Tōkaidō Main Line runs through the city, connecting it with Nagoya, one of Japan's largest cities, and the surrounding area. The city has a direct train route to Chūbu Centrair International Airport and facilities capable of hosting international events. Gifu has active relationships with six sister cities.