Gifu

Gifu is located almost in the center of Japan and is broadly divided into the northern Hida region and the southern Mino region. The Hida region is a mountainous area with an elevation of 1,000 m or more, and the climate of heavy snow in winter and cool summers creates an environment suitable for raising beef cattle. Hida-gyu (beef) is raised in this Hida region, and only Japanese Black cattle that clear strict standards can use the brand name. The Mino region forms part of the Nobi Plain, where the Kiso, Nagara, and Ibi rivers flow, and is an area where paddy rice farming and dry field farming are active. Gifu ranks high nationally as a production area for Fuyu-gaki (Persimmon), and cultivation utilizing the warm climate and well-drained soil is carried out especially in the Persimmon production areas around Motosu City and Mizuho City. Summer-autumn Tomato utilizing high-altitude areas is a stable supply product to the Chukyo metropolitan area, and is produced in high-elevation farmlands in the Ena and Nakatsugawa regions and the Hida region. Eringi (king oyster mushroom) is a major mushroom item in Gifu, and mushroom production facilities are concentrated in the Hida region. Ayu (sweetfish) of the Nagara River is known as a symbol of clear streams, and many anglers visit during the summer decoy fishing season.

Source: MAFF Crop Statistics (Reiwa 5 / 2023), JMA historical weather data

The structural features of agriculture in Gifu are that, despite being an inland prefecture without an ocean, it possesses a national brand livestock product in Hida-gyu, and high-altitude agriculture utilizing the terrain with large elevation differences is functioning. The elevation and temperature difference of the Hida region reduce stress on beef cattle by maintaining low temperatures even in summer, promoting slow growth. This climatic condition is also applied to the production of summer-autumn vegetables; while it is difficult to grow high-quality Tomato in the plains during summer, products from high-altitude areas in Gifu serve as an important supplementary supply source to the Chukyo and Kansai markets. Represented by Keichan (chicken grilled with miso and soy sauce), the food culture of Gifu remains in a form where agricultural production and local dietary habits are closely connected, which gives regional characteristics to the products. In terms of tourism, the combination of internationally recognized tourist destinations such as Hida Takayama and Shirakawa-go with Hida-gyu is strong, and the establishment of a trend where inbound tourists consume Hida-gyu locally can be said to be a strength that distinguishes it from other prefectures.