Transportation
Public Transportation
Train
Japan has many methods of public transportation available, such as trains, buses, subways, taxis, etc. In Gifu City specifically, you can use JR, Meitetsu (Nagoya Railroad, Co.), Gifu Bus, self-driving buses, community buses, etc.
Buy a ticket and board a train
You can buy tickets from a ticket machine or service window at stations. You can then insert them into a ticket gate or show them to the staff at the service window.
After getting off the train, you can insert the ticket into the ticket gate or show it to a staff member.
Ride using a transportation IC card
You can also use a transportation IC card instead of buying a ticket. To pass through the ticket gate, hold your transportation IC card over the automatic ticket gate reader.
(You will need to add money to the card before using it)
※This website provides only basic information. For detailed information, please check the information provided by each railway company.
Gifu Buses
The front of the bus will display the location that it is bound for. Make sure to look up where each bus stops before riding one.
Boarding buses
board using the furthest door back.
Getting off buses
When your bus stop is called, press the button to stop the bus, and you can get off using the door furthest towards the front.
Payment method
You can pay in cash or use an IC card (ayuca) and nationwide transit IC cards (e.g., 'manaca').
- Cash
- Please take one of the paper slips close to where you boarded the bus.
- The screen in the front of the bus shows the numbered ticket and the fare to be paid.
- When you get off the bus, please insert your numbered ticket and bus fare in the machine next to the bus driver.
*Please note that you will not receive change for amounts that exceed your fare.
You can, however, get change for 1000 yen bills during when the bus is stopped, etc.
- IC card (ayuca), nationwide transit IC cards (e.g., 'manaca')
- Touch your card to the IC card readers as you board and get off the bus.
- (You will need to add money to the card before using it)
※This website provides only basic information. For detailed information, please check the information provided by the bus company.
"GIFU HEART BUS" Self-Driving Bus
From November 25, 2023, to March 31, 2028, the 'GIFU HEART BUS,' a bright red self-driving bus, offers free rides daily.
Route and timetable
Please visit the city website for further details (Japanese)
How to board
While reservations are generally required, if you ask the operator inside the bus when you arrive at the bus stop and there are available seats, you can board even without a reservation.
How to make a reservation
Telephone Reservations: 070-3390-0055 (午前9時00分 AM - 午前5時00分 PM)
LINE System Ride Reservations:
Scan the following QR code with your smartphone and enter your reservation details. (Available 24 hours)
Contact
Transportation Policy Division (15th floor of the City Hall / (058) 214-2028)
Community bus (Gifukko Bus)
Anyone can use the Gifukko community bus.
Bus routes and schedules
You can find these in Gifu City Hall, each city hall branch office, community centers, the Tourist Information Center in JR Gifu Station, etc.
You can also get them from Gifu City's homepage (in Japanese with automatic translations available).
Contact
Transportation Policy Division (City Hall, 15F ／ Tel. 058-214-2017)
Fare
Per ride
- Adult (junior high school student or older) ¥100
- Child (elementary school student) ¥50
- Young child (not yet in elementary school) *1
- Infant (under 1 year old) Free
*1：A young child riding with a child or adult can do so for free (limit 1 per adult).
Any young children after will be charged the same fare as children (¥50)
All day passes
- Adult (junior high school student or older) ¥200
- Child (elementary school student) ¥100
You can buy these inside community buses.
All day passes can only be used on the day of purchase in all Gifu City Community Bus areas and can only be used by the buyer.
Coupon tickets
- Adult (junior high school student or older)
(¥100×11 tickets)
¥1,000 - Child (elementary school student)
(¥50×11 tickets)
¥500
You can buy these inside community buses.
*Those with a disability can ride for half the price.
- Anyone caring for them also can receive this discount.
- Show the driver your disability certificate when paying your fare or buying tickets to get this discount.
- Please also show your disability certificate when buying an IC card.
Payment method
- Cash
Please prepare your fare ahead of time.
You will pay the bus fare right before getting off the bus. - Coupon tickets
You need to use one ticket per ride before getting off the bus. - IC cards (ayuca), Senior citizen bus cards
Touch your card to the IC card readers as you board and get off the bus.
*When paying with a senior citizen bus card, your fare will be discounted by 20%.
Transfer discounts among community buses and to Gifu buses
- Cash, coupon tickets
- Among community buses：￥40 discount*
- From a community bus to a Gifu bus：No discount
- From Gifu Bus to a community bus:No discount
- *Please ask the bus driver for a transfer ticket before getting off the bus. Give this ticket to the driver of the bus that you transferred to when you are getting off it.
- IC cards (ayuca)
- If transferring within 45 minutes of boarding：￥40 discount (on the bus you transferred to)
- If transferring after 45 minutes of boarding：No discount
*You can also get discounts when transferring from Gifu Bus to a community bus.
- Senior citizen bus cards：No discount
Using IC cards (ayuca) and senior citizen bus cards
- IC cards (ayuca)
Places to buy an IC card
Gifu Bus Terminal and all Gifu Bus business offices - Senior citizen bus cards
Contact
Senior Citizens Welfare Division
(Gifu City Hall, 1F ／ Tel. 058-214-2173) - Places to add money to your card
Inside community or Gifu buses, the Gifu Bus Terminal, Gifu Bus business offices, card charging machine (Inside the convenience store in Gifu City Hall, 1F, etc.)
| Areas of operation | Name | Main stops | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kano (Kano, Kano Nishi) |
Kano Meguri Bus | JR Gifu Station south entrance, Nanbu Community Center, Mega Don Quijote UNY, Asahi University Hospital, etc. |
| 2 | Ichihashi | Nishi Gifu, Kurukuru Bus | JR Nishi Gifu Station, Gifu Municipal Hospital, Gifu Prefectural Library, Gifu Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts, Gifu Prefectural Office, Prefectural Citizen's Fureai Halls, etc. |
| 3 | Nikko (Shima, Soden, Josei, Noritake) |
Nikkori Bus | Chusetsu, Gifu Red Cross Hospital, Masa 21, Gifu Seiryu Cultural Plaza, etc. |
| 4 | Miwa (Miwa Kita, Miwa Minami) |
Miwakko Bus | Gihoku Kosei Hospital, Valor Awano store, Mitahora Shinbutsu Onsen, Hokutobu Community Center, Family Park, etc. |
| 5 | City Center East (Hakusan, Bairin, Kayo) | e Bus | JR Gifu Station south entrance, Meitetsu Gifu Station, Yanagase, Saien, Hello Work, Seiyu Gifu Kayo store, etc. |
| 6 | Akutami Higashi/Minami | Midorikko Bus | Valor Akutami store, Midori Hospital, Co-op Akutami store, Tobu Community Center, etc. |
| 7 | Kurono, Saigo | Hotto Bus | Gifu University Hospital, Nakasaigo, Kurono Hall, Kurono Castle ruins, Seibu (city hall) Branch Office, Hirano General Hospital, etc. |
| 8 | Aikawa | Aiai Bus | Kano Danchi, Hokutobu Community Center, Ishiharadai Danchi, Valor Akutami store, etc. |
| 9 | Nagamori Minami | 373(minami)Bus | Gifu Prefectural General Medical Center, Nagamori Community Center, JR Nagamori Station, Kakamigahara Aeon Mall, etc. |
| 10 | Sakaigawa (Uzura, Hikie, Yanaizu-cho) |
Sakaigawa Rakuchan Bus | Meitetsu Yanaizu Station, Yanaizu Area (city hall) Branch Office, Colorful Town, Yanaizu Moegi no Sato, Aeon Yanaizu store, Matsunami General Hospital, Kasamatsu Hospital, Senior Citizens Welfare Center, etc. |
| 11 | Nagara, Nagara Higashi | Nagara Ukai Bus | Valor Nagara store, Nagara Kitamachi, Piago Nagara store, Sun Mart Nagara store, Nagara Medical Center, Obusa, etc. |
| 12 | Akutami, Iwa | Akutami Iwakko Bus | Valor Akutami store, Tobu Community Center, Suwayama, Valor Iwata store, Iwatazaka, etc. |
| 13 | Misato, Honjo | Smile Bus | Gifu Municipal Hospital, Gifu Prefectural Library, Gifu Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts, Mega Don Quijote UNY, Orchid Park, etc. |
| 14 | Tokiwa, Sagiyama, Nagara Nishi | Sansan Bus | Masa 21, Sagiyama Daycare, Tokiwa Daycare, Tsubakibora, Sun Mart Nagara store, Piago Nagara store, Nagara Nishi Elementary School, Gifu Red Cross Hospital, Gifu Seiryu Welfare Area, etc. |
| 15 | Akanabe, Atsumi | Atsumi/Akanabe Gururi Fureai Bus | Valor Akanabe Hongo store, Akanabe Public Hall, Mega Don Quijote UNY, Ryoge Post Office, Atsumi Public Hall, JR Gifu Station south entrance, etc. |
| 16 | Hino | Hinokko Bus | Heiwado, Hino Elementary School, Valor Nagara store, Gifu Hospital, etc. |
| 17 | Kita Nagamori (Nagamori Kita, Nagamori Nishi, Nagamori Higashi) |
Nagamori Fureai Bus | Valor Kitaisshiki store, Gifu Prefectural General Medical Center, Nagamori Community Center, Heiwado, Sawada Hospital, etc. |
| 18 | Nanasato, Kida | Nanasato, Kida Bus | Masa 21, Gifu Seiryu Hospital, Gifu Nishikaiden Post Office, Okuwa Nishikaiden store, Seiyu Kaiden store, etc. |
| 19 | Iwanoda, Iwanoda Kita | Gurutto Bus |
Valor Awano store, Gihoku Kosei Hospital, Mitahora Shinbutsu Onsen, Sun Mart Nagara store, etc. |
| Areas of operation | Operating hours | Main stops |
|---|---|---|
| City center route (Chushinbu route) |
Daily (every 30 minutes, 12 times a day) | JR Gifu Station, Yanagase, Gifu City Hall/Media Cosmos, Kinkabashi Street Yanagase, JR Gifu Station |
| Gifu Park route (Gifu koen route) |
Only on Saturdays, Sundays, and National Holidays (every 2 hours, 3 times a day) | JR Gifu Station, Yanagase, City Hall/Uguisudani High School Entrance, Kawaramachi, Gifu Park/Gifu Castle, Osushi Highway, GIFUSHIN FORUM/ Courthouse, Kinkabashi Street Yanagase, JR Gifu Station |
Cars
Driver's license
If you want to get a Japanese driver's license or convert a foreign driver's license into a Japanese driver's license, you can do so at driver's license exam centers, etc.
For those that have a valid driver's license in their country of origin
Excluding some countries, you can get a Japanese driver's license at a driver's license exam center.
Contact
Gifu Prefectural Police Headquarters Driver's License Exam Center
Foreign Driver's License Team
1-22-8 Mitahora Higashi, Gifu City
Tel. 058-237-5719
If going by Gifu Bus
Take a bus headed to Mitahora Danchi
Get off at "Mitahora Jidosha Gakko Guchi"
Ways to get a driver's license
Enroll in a driver's school
After graduating, you will have to go to a driver's license exam center to take a written test (you will be exempt from the performance test).
Take the written and performance tests at a driver's license exam center.
Contact
Driver's License Division, Gifu Driver's Learning Center
3-42 Gakuen-cho, Gifu City
Gifu Seiryu Bunka Plaza
Tel. 058-295-1010
Driver's license expiration dates
It's shown on the colored strip in the center of the driver's license. (The strip will be green, blue, or gold.)
Renewal period
The month before and the month after your birthday that falls just before the expiration date.
Car insurance
Compulsory insurance (compulsory automobile liability insurance)
Everyone that owns a car is legally required to enroll in compulsory insurance.
Optional insurance
There are many cases where the amount covered by compulsory insurance is not enough to cover all damages if you have caused a traffic accident, so most people enroll in optional supplemental insurance as well.
Traffic accidents
Notify the police of any traffic accident regardless of how minor it is.
If you do not notify the police, you may be unable to receive compensation from your insurance company if you later find that you received after effects from the accident.
Parking violations
Parking violations greatly impact the lives of other citizens by causing traffic jams, traffic accidents, and blocking/delay emergency vehicles.
The Road Traffic Act states that stopping or parking your vehicle in places where road signs prohibit it, 5m within an intersection or a crosswalk, etc. is illegal.
When parking a car, do so next to a parking meter, parking space, etc.
Municipal parking
There are two municipal parking lots within the city.
There is one near JR Gifu Station and one near Yanagase in spots that are easy to use.
Contact
City Planning Division (Gifu City Hall, 15F ／ Tel. 058-214-2380)
Locations
- Gifu City Station Nishi Parking Lot, Gifu City Tower 43 Underground Parking Lot
(nickname: Showa Concrete Eki-nishi Parking Lot)- 2-16 Hashimoto-cho, Gifu City Tel. 058-262-3301
- Available 24 hours
- Kogane Park Underground Parking Lot
- 5-7 Kogane-machi, Gifu City Tel. 058-262-2702
- Hours of operation
7:00am - 11:00pm
