JASAL2023 Post-conference hike up Kinka Mountain

Meet at 9:45 am at the fountain at Gifu Koen. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/kS3KXMvKxY2Znysu9

We will start hiking at 10:00 am and be at the top before 11:30. The hike is quite easy. We will follow the Mizunotemichi trail. At the top you can visit the squirrel village and/or the castle if you like, then we can eat our lunch and head down. Bring a drink, and your own packed lunch. There is a cafe with ice-cream, drinks etc. at the top. With a leisurely lunch, we should be back down at the park by 2:30 pm.

You can get a bus to the park from near JR Gifu Station platform 12 (e.g. N71 leaves at 9:25 am and gets to the park at 9:38 am. N80 leaves at 9:33 am and gets there at 9:46 am. Get off at “Gifu Koen – Rekishi Hakubutsukan-mae”).

If you are good at getting up early, you could go a bit earlier and visit the Daibutsu (opposite Komeda Coffee, a 3-minute walk from the park). It’s 200 yen and well worth it! (Or visit the Daibutsu after the hike). The park itself is also a nice place to chill and enjoy some nature (and of course has WCs and vending machines).

If you want to walk from the station area to Gifu Park (instead of using the bus), it can be done in 55 minutes, including stopping off to visit the Daibutsu on the way. Some parts of the walk are picturesque and you go past the street market, too.

The hike is pretty easy and anyone in normal health should be able to manage it, but, like most trails in Japan, there are warnings about wild pigs (inoshishi) and hornets (スズメバチ). Please be aware that each participant takes part at their own risk.

We’ll have an alternative plan in case of heavy rain which we will share soon.