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Gifu Eco Tour: Nagara River Fishing & Ayu Cuisine

Organized by Ukaiya
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Summary
Highlights
Experience Details
Experience Location
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Duration
4 hours
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Number of Guests
2 - 5 guests
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Accessibility
Family-friendly
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Language
Japanese, English
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Other
With dinner

Tour the stunningly clear Nagara River, recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, before indulging in an Italian-style meal featuring ayu sweetfish. (Eat! Meet! Japan 2020 Bronze Award)

Highlights

  • Boat tour of the Nagara River, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

  • Learn about fishing methods from a local fisherman and watch him haul in his catch

  • Maneuver the boat with a traditional paddle

  • Dynamic Italian course meal featuring local ayu sweetfish, which only inhabit the clearest waters

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For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals
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Host will donate 7 meals

Experience Details

Considered one of Japan’s “Three Clear-Flowing Rivers” the Nagara River features stunningly transparent waters and is listed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritages for its traditional ukai fishing technique using cormorant birds.


During this eco tour in Gifu Prefecture, you’ll be whisked down the Nagara River in a traditional wasen (Japanese boat) with a local fisherman who will demonstrate various fishing techniques including hand-cast net fishing with a net that becomes virtually invisible underwater. There’s also a fun, hands-on element as guests can maneuver the boat with a traditional paddle. You may even be lucky enough to witness a good catch from one of the fisherman’s small-scale fishing traps, like local suppon (soft-shelled turtle), shrimp, unagi (eel), and crab.


Ayu (sweetfish) is a local specialty that can only inhabit clear, clean water–which the Nagara River is renowned for. During a 5-course meal at La Lucanda, an Italian restaurant that uses a mix of local and imported Italian ingredients, three types of ayu are showcased: fried, roasted, and komochi (filled with eggs). Sitting at the counter seat, watch as Chef Luca Lattuada from Italy cranks out fresh, homemade pasta and other dishes that highlight this local specialty of Gifu's Nagara River.


MENU:

Mitten Crab and Potato Soup

Fried Nagara River Ayu with Tomato and Couscous

Fresh Tagliatelle with Ayu and Broccoli

Roasted Komochi Ayu with Polenta and Parmesan

Rum Baba with Yogurt Gelato, Coconut Crumble, and Bee Pollen

What You Get

Boat tour on the Nagara River
Commemorative photo on the boat with a scenic castle in the background
Five-course Italian meal using local ingredients
Transportation fee to the meeting location

Good To Know

  • The tour may be canceled due to bad weather
  • For the boat tour, wear clothes that are easy to move in and bring sandals (optional)
  • Accessibility: please note that there are stairs to the second floor of the restaurant, where the dining experience will be held
  • Beverages are charged separately
  • Ukai fishing (Japanese intangible cultural heritage) can be viewed from the promenade, a 2-minute walk from the facility around 20:00

Meeting Point and Meeting Time

  • 20 minutes by bus from JR Gifu Station 8 minutes on foot from the bus stop" Ukaiya " (Nagaragawa Ukai Museum is next door)

Cancellation Policy

Cancel your booking at least 48 hours before the experience start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.

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Experience Location

Gifu Prefecture is home to well-preserved historic villages, mountainous landscapes, and scenic open-air hot springs, with a proud culinary heritage spanning centuries.

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INSTANT CONFIRMATION
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$224.24
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Please note that the time is in Japan Standard Time.
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Free cancellation (48 hours notice)
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For each guest that attends this experience, byFood will donate
10 meals
Photo of filled like +
Host will donate 7 meals