Outline of Gifu City

GIFU CITY

On January 1, 2006, Gifu City and Yanaizu Town merged, creating a new Gifu City.

Area: 202.89 sq. km

Population: 423,194 (as of Jan. 2008)

Geography

Gifu City is located almost in the center of Japan, approximately 250 km west of Tokyo, 140 km east of Osaka, and 30km north of Nagoya. The city is situated in the northern part of the fertile Nobi plain that was created by the Nagara，Kiso and Ibi rivers. Mt. Kinka is located next to the Nagara River and rises 329 meters above sea level. About 60% of the land of Gifu City is level ground less than 60 meters above sea level.

Climate

The winters are relatively mild with little precipitation, while the summers are hot and humid. The average temperature during the year is 15℃ and, even in January and February, the temperature rarely drops below -5℃. There are cold winds that blow from Mt. Ibuki are known as "Ibukioroshi." In summer, especially the month of August, the temperature is often over 30℃, and it is known to be higher than 35℃ between July 22 and August 10.

Naming of Gifu

From long ago, Gifu has always been known for its abundant water supplies. In fact, the original name of this area, Inokuchi (井口), means "mouth of the well." However, in the mid-sixteenth century, when Oda Nobunaga used the area to continue his quest to unify Japan, he renamed the area Gifu (岐阜), referencing the Chinese Zhou Dynasty.

The first character in Gifu comes from the Chinese city of Qishan (岐山). It was from Qishan that Wen Wang was able to unify China and establish the Zhou Dynasy, over 3,000 years ago. The second character of Gifu, 阜, means "foot of the mountain," denoting its place at the base of Mt. Kinka.

Origin of the City Crest

The design of the crest of the City of Gifu is the symbol "I" (井) of the city's old name，Inokuchi.

City Flower and Tree

The Committee on Nature Development chose seven different types of trees and flowers and then allowed the public to decide on the appropiate ones. Based on the public's opinion, the committee choose the Japanese Chinquapin as the city tree and the Scarlet Sage as the city flower.

City Tree:

Japanese Chinquapin

(castanopsis cuspidata)

Japanese: Tsubarajii

City Flower:

Scarlet Sage

(salvia splendens)

Japanese: Sarubia

The Citizens' Charter

We, the citizens of Gifu City, respect the traditional culture created in the majestic natural beauty of Mt. Kinka and the Nagara River.

Here, we declare to strengthen common bonds and to endeavor to create a city of freedom and peace with the following characteristics:

A comfortable city where people utilize and respect mankind;

A warm-hearted city were youth have dreams and senior citizens peacefully enjoy their golden years;

A vigorous city where people enjoy both work and play;

A cooperative city where people are true to their world and considerate to others;

A prosperous city where people mingle freely, improve education and develop individuality.

Major Specialty Goods


Gifu Chochin (paper lanterns), Gifu Wagasa (paper umbrellas), Gifu Shibu Uchiwa (paper fans), insect handicrafts, plastic and metal manufactured goods, paper products, persimmons, ayu (sweetfish) and ayu-related food products, cormorant fishing crackers, sweetfish-shaped sweets, miso cakes, rice crackers and lotus honey.