Gifu 岐阜

Seino 西濃

p. 2 Map of Gifu/ Chuno p. 6-7 Things to do and see - Table of Contents p. 8 Doctors P.3 Chuno Events! - Useful Websites -Transportation p. 9 Your RPAs p. 4-6 Brief City Overview -additional support

What’s Inside?

Gifu

Tokyo

Nagoya

Kyoto

Osaka

Hida 飛騨

Chuno 中濃

Gifu 岐阜

Tono 東濃

Seino 西濃

Chuno is joining forces with Gifu AJET to have an awesome BBQ beach party in Mino (Chuno Area). **More Information included in AJET handout All you can eat and drink, get to know each other, extravaganza in Kani city! After 1st paycheck so no excuse! Partners are of course welcome to all events. Place to be determined but Cooper has room for everyone to crash if need be. Dinner starts at 6:30. Carpooling available. **** First altogether meet and greet!**** Name says it all. Hiking starts at 11. Lunch by the falls. Bring a swim suit, something to share and your adventures hats! More details later!

Transportation

Chuno is the center of Japan. While the area prides itself on its old-time charm, there are plenty of ways to get around. No need to resort to traveling by rickshaw (but by all means, if you have rickshaw, please share with the rest of us!). Trains

Much of the chuno region uses the local Nagaragawa Railways. Definitely an interesting ride.

Kani city is also lucky enough to have both JR and Meitetsu Lines.

From Kani station, Tajimi, Takayama, Gifu, Nagoya, and Minokamo are easily reachable.

The nearest Shinkansen is located in Nagoya. Airports

The closest airport is Centrair in Nagoya. The easiest train line to Centrair is the Meitetsu line. This can be accessed in Gifu and Kani city.

Kansai International Airport in Osaka is also relatively close. Buses In the Chuno area, trains aren’t always the fastest and cheapest choice.

Buses are constantly going to Hida, Fukui, Nagoya, and Gifu The buses are fast and reliable. The come often as well.

Seki, Mino, and Gujo have more access to buses.

The best websites for checking train schedules are: http://www.hyperdia.com (select English) http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english

The best websites for Chuno buses are (sorry they are both in Japanese): http://www.gifubus.co.jp/noriai/nori/jikoku/mino/nagoya.pdf (bus to Nagoya) http://www.gifubus.co.jp/noriai/index.html (local buses) http://www.onthestreet.jp/busride.php?od=1687mino-kyoto (to Kyoto from Mino, Seki, & Gifu)

*****Because of Chuno’s central location, it is incredibly easy to get to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and even Kyushu by local trains, buses, or even Shinkansens.

Brief Overview of the Cities

Chuno 中濃

Seki city is known for its sword making. This tradition is 700 years old and Seki swords are still shipped all over Japan. In recent times, Seki swords crafts have turned to knives, cutlery, and other kitchen supplies as well. Sword making demonstrations are always available. Seki is a bigger city in the chuno area combining many smaller communities. There is a shopping mall (Mago), a training center/gym and a public bathhouse located in the city.

Seki city is also home to the paper doll making master, Chisako Higashiya. Chisako not only teaches Japanese doll classes, but she is the only Japanese member of the Gifu AJET community. She will always welcome you with open arms and is a great support source (like everyone in Chuno). For further details on the doll class, please call Chisako at 080 5133 3847 or email Higashiyachisako@yahoo.com.

Mino city is known for its Mino paper (Mino Washi) . The paper is over 1400 years old and involves one of the most unique paper making styles in all of Japan. Much of the town revolves around paper making.

Mino is one of the oldest area in the Gifu region. Before Gifu was a prefecture, much of the middle of Japan was split into Mino region and Hida region. If you are interested in seeing old houses and interesting history, travel to Udatsu no Machi, the famous “samurai” street in Mino. Mino is also known for its world cycling tour/ race, aptly known as, the Tour of Japan.

Mino is also known for its world cycling tour/ race, aptly known as, the Tour of Japan.

Minokamo is a bustling “city” in the Chuno area. There is a large population of Brazilians and other people from different nationalities, which means there are many unique places to eat and plenty of access to foreign food stores.

There are even paper clothes you can buy (and wash).

Minokamo is also known for its abundant nature and natural parks. You can take a river cruise on the Kiso River, and there is even a health park where you can run up (or crawl up) 777 steps. Whew! What a work-out! Minokamo is the hub for Chuno’s busiest train stations, Minoota. Minoota connects the

local Chuno train to the JR and Meitetsu line. It provides easy access to Gifu city, Nagoya, and other regions of Gifu prefecture.

Kani is another “big” city in the chuno area. It offers all the big city feel with a gym, Uni Qlo, and even McDonalds.

Kani city is famous for its beautiful flowers. The Japanese rose garden in Kani is considered to have the best assortment of roses in all of Japan.

Kani also has many rivers in the area. The rivers are unique because of the striking resemblance to the Rhine River rocks in Germany. So, of course, one of the Japanese rivers in Kani, is nicknamed, The Japan Rhine (creative I know).

Mitake town is just a hop skip and a jump away from Kani city. It has easy access to all the main train ports in the Chuno area. Mitake is also close to the Tono region in Gifu.

Mitake also has some of the best bakeries in the Chuno region. Visit these shops, or the famous okonomiyaki place near the station for a mouth-watering treat! Yaotsu is famous for its WWII history. During the second world

war, a man named Sugihara Chiune saved the lives of 6,000 Jewish refugees in Germany by issuing visas to live in non-other than Yaotsu town, Japan. There are many memorial museums and even peace parks located in and around Yaotsu town. Yaotsu is also known for its beautiful nature. There are plenty of

hiking courses, as well as 5 different waterfalls known collectively collectively as Goho falls. (aka our awesome picnic on September 15th….promotional plug)

Shirakawa town is made up of 80 percent mountains. It is a forest area and is very beautiful. There are great hiking spots and plenty of outdoors activities(including, fishing, swimming, and even firefly watching too). Shirakawa is also known for its food industry, locally produced sake, and

its silkworm cocoons. It has everything you need! Food, clothes and booze! Shirakawa town is so close to the Gero hot springs, that there is a little hot water left over. Shirakawa supports some awesome onsens and offers easy access to the hida region.

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Gujo looks deceptively big, but like Seki, the Gujo area took smaller communities and beat them up until forces were joined to create: The Guj. Because of that, there are many things to see and do in this region.

Gujo itself is famous for its Obon (summer dancing festival to honor ancestors) festival. It is in the top 3 in all of Japan. Gujo is also known for its plastic food making (which you can do yourself) and for the Gujo caves. The Meiho area is known for its snowboarding and ski hills in the winter time.

Shirotori area is known for its beautiful nature. Be best waterfall in the Tokai region is located in Shirotori. It is one of the most famous waterfalls in Japan. If you go there in the morning and turn your back to the rising sun, your shadow will be edged with rainbow colors.

Things to Do and See

Outdoors - Ukai fishing, - Health Park - every night from May to October -Minokamo -Seki, Gujo - River swimming - Hatabuki mountain hiking - everywhere in Chuno -Minokamo - White-water rafting/ Shower climbing - Flower park -Gujo - Kani -between 7,500 yen and 10,500 yen - 700 yen, closed Mondays - Rhine River boat cruise - Oyama Shrine Hike and tree viewing - Minokamo - Shirakawa - 1,200 year old Cedar tree - Fossil Dig -Minokamo - Goho falls hiking - Yaotsu - Showa Mura horse-back riding -Minokamo - Maruyama Dam and Meisou Forest - Yaotsu - Skiing and snowboarding - Silent Meditation forest - Meiho, Gujo - lift – 4000 yen, rentals, 4000 yen - Waterfall caves -From December to March -Gujo - 500 yen

- Amidaga waterfall - Shirotori, Gujo

Misc - Seki Sword Demonstration and sword museum - Plastic food making, Gujo - Open 9-4:30, closed Tuesday and weekends - need 2 or more people - cost: 200 yen for the museum - Cost: 1000 yen - Make Japanes paper, Mino Paper Museum - Shirakawa tea farms, shirakawa -open 9-4:30, closed Tuesday. - cost: free - cost: 500 yen - Little World, near Minokamo - Paper Doll Making, Seki -wear costumes and eat - Call Chisako for class times food from around the world - Cost: between 1,400 and 2,500 yen - 9:30-5, depending on season (worth every penny) - 1600 yen

Temples and History - Udatsu houses, Mino

-famous for houses from the Edo period. - Oyada Shrine, Mino

-dates back from 1672 -famous for cherry blossom and maple leaf viewing.

- Koyama Kannon (island temple), Minokamo

-Stands in the middle of the Hida River in Minokamo. -Connected to land by a foot bridge. - considered is a “semi-national park”

- Zuirinji Temple, Minokamo - considered the most famous temple in the Mino region. - Contains wooden Buddha statue - Watches over local persimmon crops

- The Tengu of Mt. Atago, Minokamo - Japan’s largest Tengu, 12 meters - Kiyomizu Temple, Minokamo

- Designed by the same man who made the kiyomizudara temple in Kyoto

- Taishido Temple, shirotori, Gujo - famous seated figre of Kokuzo Bodhisattava - masterpiece of Gifu

Things to Do and See cont.

- Oyama Hakusan Shrine, Shirakawa -on top of a mountain -famous painted ceiling, completed in 1799 - 1,200 year old Cedar tree - Kabuki plays

- Kasuga Shrine, Seki

- exhibits Noh drama costumes, masks and swords

- Amida Hall, Mandara Garen, Seki Zenkoji Temple, Seki - three-tiered pagoda - zen garden and temple - Todaiji Temple, Mitake

-over 1000 years old.

- Sugihara Chiune Memorial Hall and Memorial Park, Yaotsu

- museum for the Jewish refugees of WWII - Hill of Humanity Memorial Park

- Gujo Castle, Gujo - built in 1559 -overlooks whole town

Doctors in Chuno

If you happen to get sick enough to need to see a doctor you have a couple options. The first would be to call your supervisor and have them take you wherever you need to go. Another option is to find another friend or perhaps, even a Japanese friend who would be willing to guide you through the process. Or, you could always go solo. When you go to the doctors, it is important that you bring your Health Insurance Card, Alien Registration Card, and any medications you are taking. CLAIR created downloadable documents that are in Japanese and English, which you can fill out and show the hospital so they can better assess your needs. http://www.clair.or.jp/tagengorev/en/index.html In the Chuno region, there are a few hospitals with doctors who speak English. This list is from the Gifu International Center’s publication, which I highly recommend reading. http://www.gic.or.jp/english/e-publ1.html In Kani city, there are three hospitals with English speaking doctors. Fujikake Hospital (0574-62-0030), Gifu Shakai Hoken Hospital (0574-25-3113), and Higashi Kani Hospital (0574-63-1200). The last two hospitals are the largest of the three. In Gujo, there are three hospitals as well. Kohuho Wara Hospital (0574-77-2311), Jikei Chou Hospital (0575-79-2030), and Sumi Hospital (0575-82-3151). The last hospital is the largest and it offers dentistry as well. In the Seki-Mino area, there are two hospitals. Inui-I-in, Seki (0575-46-2017) and Kizawa Kinen Hospital, Mino (0574-25-2181). The second hospital is the larger of the two.

Useful Websites

Foreign Foods The Foreign Buyers’ Club – foreign food/goods

http://www/fbcusa.com/cs The Meat Guy – meat and cheese

http://themeatguy.jp/app/en/ Alishan Natural Foods

http://alishan-organics.com Yoyo Market – Costco and IKEA delivered to you

http://yoyomarket.jp/ The Flying Pig – foreign food/goods

http://www.theflyingpig.com Rakuten – everyday needs

http://global.rakuten.com/en/

Useful Websites about Gifu and Japan *** Gifu JET page. Seriously this has everything from festivals, to depression, to local news

http://gifujets.wordpress.com/ Travel blogs around Gifu

http://gifucrossroads.wordpress.com/gifu-prefecture-tourism-and-event-newsletter/

If you are ever in trouble, are lonely, or need

help at all, don’t hesitate to call! We are always there for you. Everyone in Gifu is!

First line of Communication:

Email: dcoopergatewood@gmail.com Phone: 080 3613 2281

Email: elkrogman@gmail.com Phone: 080 4542 5924

Second line of Communication:

Gifu AJET AJET Peer Support Group gifupc@ajet.net Tel: 050-5534-5566 JET helpline (JETLINE) Tokyo English Lifeline Tel: (03) 5213-1729 Tel: 03-5774-0992

Take care of yourself and you will do great. We are here every step of the way! - The Gifu Team