It
is an exciting experience to travel by boat down the raging stream of
the Kiso River, which is one of the three largest streams in Japan.
People on board are splashed with water and become absorbed through the
novel rocks and wonderful stones rising on both banks of the river, as
well as the seasonal changes in the beauty of the valleys.
"Hayashi Family Residence
of the Second Officially Appointed Inn of Old Ota"
A
nationally designated important cultural asset still remains at the 52nd
post town "Otajuku" on the old Nakasendo Road. A Few examples of old
architecture are remained and noted for the dignified Edo historic
designs of the roof supports and the lattice windows.
Held
near the Rhine Park on the bank of the Kiso River early in August every
year, the fireworks fascinate a lot of people there.
"Nakasendo Festival"
This
festival began in 1985 and has been held in cooperation with residents
along the Nakasendo Road Otajuku. The centerpiece of the festival is a
historic pageant planned elaborately by the people who parade on the
Nakasendo.
"Minokamo Dance Festival"
Led
by Miss Minokamo Dance in Sugegasa hat and Yukata, the festival annually
held with people, from the elder to the young, dancing on the main
street of Minoota Station in August. They dance to the Minokamo and
Rhine Dance tune.
Hachiya
persimmons are made by processing "Dojohachiya" persimmons, and have
been respected from the old times for their special sweetness. Hachiya
Persimmons were presented to General Ashikaga, Hideyoshi Toyotomi and
Ieyasu Tokugawa as a sign of respect. The persimmons won a silver award
at the Paris World Exhibition in 1900.
This
is a precious and nocturnal race of fish which is close to catfish
variety and lives only in clear streams leading to Ise Bay. It creeps in
the spaces under rocks or reedy places in the daytime, while swims
slowly around the river bottom at night. It is designated a national
natural monument in the category of species in 1977.
"A Wild Cherry Tree of
Yamanoue"
The
cherry tree blooms in the middle of April every year. It is about 400
years old, 13m in height, 3.6m around the trunk, and was designated by
Gifu Prefecture as a natural monument in 1974, thus became one of the
prominent wild cherry trees in Japan.
"Hida Kisogawa National
Park"
The area along the Hida
River and the Kiso River across Gifu and Aichi prefectures was appointed
as the 21st National Park in 1964. The area is about 60km in extension
and about 14,400ha in total area and stretches from Gero-cho of the Gero
spa resort area in Gifu Prefecture in the north, to Inuyama City in
Aichi Prefecture in the south and Mizunami City in Gifu Prefecture in
the east.
"Genji Fireflies in Miwa"
The Miwa area (northern part
of the city), is a place where you can enjoy a natural environment
surrounded by the clear streams of Kawaura and Tsuzuya which are branch
streams of the Nagara River. People, looking at the Genji fireflies fly
around and show off their beautiful lights in June, are led into the
world of poetry.
There
is a belfry gate, a bell tower integrated into a gate, which has been
designated by municipality as a cultural asset. A temple bell hanging
from this belfry is 113㎝ in height, 60.5㎝ in diameter, and was completed
at the end of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, judging from the
inscription thereon.
"Zuirinji Temple"
The
most famous temple in Mino. A wooden Buddha statue "Mirokubutsuzazo" and
other cultural assets are preserved. This area is famous for "Hachiya
Persimmon", and this temple is called "Persimmon Temple", because
persimmons were presented to General Ashikaga and the temple land was
given as reward.
"Shogenji Temple"
This is known as a seminary
for the Buddhist priesthood in the Myoshinji School of the Rinzai sect,
where priests are well trained. Mr. Tetsuharu Kawakami once meditated
for his mental training when he has as a manager of a professional
baseball team.
"Koyama Kannon"
A Buddha "Batokanzeon" is
enshrined on a unique rock which is roughly in the center of the Hida
River. Many people join the "Hatsuuma Festival" early in March every
year.
"Enkubutsu"
Enku
was born in Mino Country in 1632 and engraved about 120,000 Buddha
statues, while continuing his strict Buddhist practice at many places
throughout Japan. Some Buddha statues are left in this city.
Shoyo Tsubouchi - Native
Pioneer in Modern Japanese Culture -
Shoyo Tsubouchi was born in
1859 in what is now Otahonmachi, Minokamo City. After graduating from
Tokyo University, his publication of works such as "Tosei Shosei Katagi
(Modern Student Spirit)" and "Shosetsu Shinzui (The Essence of the
Novel)" placed him at the vanguard of the literary world of the Meiji
era. Active in dramatic circles as well, Shoyo founded a literary
association and staged works such as "Kiri Hitoha (A Paulownia Leaf)"
and "The Merchant of Venice" to resounding success.
"The
Shoyo Tsubouchi Prize"
This award, established to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the
city's incorporation, honors Dr. Shoyo Tsubouchi, a pioneer of modern
Japanese culture who was a native of Minokamo City. This award is
expected to make a broad contribution to raising the cultural level of
the city's residents.
A
spreading orchard of pears, grapes, persimmons, etc., is on Yamanoue
height, commanding a view of the Hida River and the Kiso River. In the
season (August-October), it is crowded with families and groups enjoying
pear and grape picking.
"Ayu Fishing"
The Kiso River is stocked
with a large number of ayu (sweet fish) every year. Many fishermen enjoy
fishing here and there in the river shallows in season.
"Golf Courses"
In the northern part, three
golf courses are opened.
Fuji Country Shinsaiji …18 holes, par 72, 6,741 yards
Shogenji Country Club …18 holes, par 72, 6,523 yards
Hosenbo Golf Club …18 holes, par 72, 6,643 yards
"Maehira Park"
This is a comfortable park
where people can enjoy themselves. In the site of approximately
130,000㎡, there are baseball grounds, tennis courts, pools, all purpose
plazas and other attractions, where families can spend an entire day
enjoying themselves.
It
is an exciting experience to travel by boat down the raging stream of
the Kiso River, which is one of the three largest streams in Japan.
People on board are splashed with water and become absorbed through the
novel rocks and wonderful stones rising on both banks of the river, as
well as the seasonal changes in the beauty of the valleys.
A
nationally designated important cultural asset still remains at the 52nd
post town "Otajuku" on the old Nakasendo Road. A Few examples of old
architecture are remained and noted for the dignified Edo historic
designs of the roof supports and the lattice windows.
Held
near the Rhine Park on the bank of the Kiso River early in August every
year, the fireworks fascinate a lot of people there.
This
festival began in 1985 and has been held in cooperation with residents
along the Nakasendo Road Otajuku. The centerpiece of the festival is a
historic pageant planned elaborately by the people who parade on the
Nakasendo.
Led
by Miss Minokamo Dance in Sugegasa hat and Yukata, the festival annually
held with people, from the elder to the young, dancing on the main
street of Minoota Station in August. They dance to the Minokamo and
Rhine Dance tune.
Hachiya
persimmons are made by processing "Dojohachiya" persimmons, and have
been respected from the old times for their special sweetness. Hachiya
Persimmons were presented to General Ashikaga, Hideyoshi Toyotomi and
Ieyasu Tokugawa as a sign of respect. The persimmons won a silver award
at the Paris World Exhibition in 1900. 
This
is a precious and nocturnal race of fish which is close to catfish
variety and lives only in clear streams leading to Ise Bay. It creeps in
the spaces under rocks or reedy places in the daytime, while swims
slowly around the river bottom at night. It is designated a national
natural monument in the category of species in 1977.
The
cherry tree blooms in the middle of April every year. It is about 400
years old, 13m in height, 3.6m around the trunk, and was designated by
Gifu Prefecture as a natural monument in 1974, thus became one of the
prominent wild cherry trees in Japan.
There
is a belfry gate, a bell tower integrated into a gate, which has been
designated by municipality as a cultural asset. A temple bell hanging
from this belfry is 113㎝ in height, 60.5㎝ in diameter, and was completed
at the end of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, judging from the
inscription thereon.
The
most famous temple in Mino. A wooden Buddha statue "Mirokubutsuzazo" and
other cultural assets are preserved. This area is famous for "Hachiya
Persimmon", and this temple is called "Persimmon Temple", because
persimmons were presented to General Ashikaga and the temple land was
given as reward.
Enku
was born in Mino Country in 1632 and engraved about 120,000 Buddha
statues, while continuing his strict Buddhist practice at many places
throughout Japan. Some Buddha statues are left in this city. 
"The
Shoyo Tsubouchi Prize"
A
spreading orchard of pears, grapes, persimmons, etc., is on Yamanoue
height, commanding a view of the Hida River and the Kiso River. In the
season (August-October), it is crowded with families and groups enjoying
pear and grape picking.