Gifu Miyako Hotel

If you’re coming to visit Gifu, the Miyako Hotel is a great place to stay. The rooms here are all pretty spacious by Japanese standards and have great views of either the scenic Nagara River at the front of the hotel or the city and Memorial Center sports stadium to the rear. We particularly like the river view rooms as they also have views of Gifu Castle, perched high atop Mt Kinka across the river, which is especially picturesque when it’s illuminated at night. If you’re visiting during the cormorant fishing season between May and October, a river view room will also allow you to watch the action from the comfort of your room. Similarly, if you happen to be staying at the end of July or beginning of August, you could have a room with fantastic views of the amazing Nagara Fireworks displays. I also like the sky bar on the 11th floor, which has a great selection of whiskies and commanding views over the river. Even better, during the summer months the rooftop’s opened up as a beer garden. Although the hotel’s a bit outside the city centre, many of Gifu’s sights are within walking distance; the Kawaramachi old quarter is an easy walk and not far from there is Gifu Park, the Mt Kinka ropeway and Gifu’s Giant Buddha in Shoho-ji Temple. There’s a loop bus from Gifu Station which takes about 20 minutes and the hotel also offers free bike rental to guests who wish to explore on two wheels.