Kawaramachi Izumiya

This restaurant in Gifu’s Kawaramachi area lies right by the Nagara River. This and the other rivers in the region are teeming with a favorite local delicacy: sweetfish (known as “ayu” in Japanese). Since 1887, Kawaramachi Izumiya has specialized in ayu, combining fresh wild fish with locally sourced vegetables. Here you can enjoy these delicious fish grilled whole over charcoal for so long that even the bones break down and become edible. This makes the ayu incredibly soft-textured inside, but crispy on the outside. Alternatively, ramen fans can try a bowl of their signature noodle soup, which is topped with sun-dried ayu. All of these dishes and more can be enjoyed a la carte, but they also offer the full sweetfish experience in the form of a multi-course meal featuring over 10 dishes.