Nagara River Ukai Museum (Gifu Nagara River Museum of Ukai Tradition)

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum

4.0

This museum in Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture is a six-minute walk from the Ukaiya bus station located a short bus ride from Gifu Station. The museum was opened in 2012 in order to propagate, spread, and protect the tradition of ukai (cormorant fishing) in the Nagara River, which has continued for over 1,300 years. The museum’s first floor features an area where you can learn hands-on about ukai as well as exhibits including examples of traditional ukai attire. On the second floor, visitors can enjoy learning about ukai from exhibits about usho (cormorant fisherman) and their yago (trade names), exhibits on historical figures with deep connections to ukai, a “guidance theater,” and more. The museum also rents out conference rooms and other facilities.

Spot details

Nagara River Ukai Museum (Gifu Nagara River Museum of Ukai Tradition)

Address: Gifu Pref. Gifushi Nagara 51-2 Map
Area: Gifu Area
Phone: 0582101555
Hours: [5/1-10/15] 9:00-19:00 (Admission Deadline 18:30)
[10/16-4/30] 9:00-17:00 (Admission Deadline 16:30)
Closed: New Year's Holiday (12/29-1/3)
[5/1-10/15] open everyday (excluding some designated Sundays)
[10/16-4/30] Tuesday (in the case of public holiday, the following weekday) )
Fees: [Exhibition room admission fee to view]
[Adults (15 years old and over, excluding Junior High School Students)] 500 yen
[Children (4 years old- under 15 years old)] 250 yen
Parking Lot: Available(67spaces)
※100 yen for every 30 minutes, free up to 90 minutes for exhibition room viewing
Credit Card: Available(VISA, MasterCard, JCB, AMEX, UnionPay, DISCOVER)
Smoking: Not available
Wi-Fi: Available
Note: Temporary closure:Closed until May 21, 2020 (Information as of May 18, 2020)
* Information may be changed, so please be sure to check the official information.
Estimated stay time: 30-60 minutes
Wheelchair accessible: Available
Infant friendly: Available

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

Review

Good movie and clever museum.

Reviewed : 2019.06.07

This is a great insight into the ukai. Miserable weather outside prevented me from better enjoyment of the live birds, in their full breeding plumage. There should be some interaction with the u...
Introduction before going fishing

Reviewed : 2017.11.09

Find out about the art of fishing with cormorants and the traditions behind it. If you are going on to the boats to watch how its done, this is a good introduction to the trip.
Good to visit even not during Ukai

Reviewed : 2017.04.24

Actual cormorant fishing occurs between mid May and mid October. But you can visit the museum anytime to learn more about this old-fashioned activity. They have a movie with English subtitles that...