The 11 Best Day Trips from Gifu
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
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There are 11 good day trips from Gifu, Japan, led by Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto. The closest is Nagoya, about 35 min by car, and 2 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.
Built from 11 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.
Day trips from Gifu
- 1
Osaka, Japan
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 10 min by car140 km south-west of GifuWhat travelers see in Osaka
- Osaka Castle - You'll be captivated by the majestic beauty of Osaka Castle, especially in the summer when the green surrounding parks are teeming with life.
- Dotonbori - You'll find yourself enchanted by the dazzling neon lights of Dotonbori, where the vibrant atmosphere pulses with energy during the summer evenings.
- Sumiyoshi Taisha - You'll be immersed in tranquility as you stroll through the lush grounds of Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan's oldest shrines.
- 2
Nagoya, Japan
Half-day tripAbout 35 min by car30 km south-east of GifuKnown for Nana-chan Mannequin.
- 3
Kyoto, Japan
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 35 min by car102 km south-west of GifuWhat travelers see in Kyoto
- Fushimi Inari Taisha - You'll be mesmerized by the vibrant vermilion torii gates that create a stunning pathway up the sacred Mount Inari.
- Kinkaku-ji - You'll be captivated by the shimmering gold leaf that covers the upper two floors of this Zen Buddhist temple, reflecting beautifully in the surrounding pond.
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - You'll find yourself enveloped by towering bamboo stalks that sway gently in the summer breeze, creating a soothing rustle that feels magical.
- 4
Hamamatsu, Japan
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 55 min by car120 km south-east of GifuKnown for 浜松市動物園.
- 5
Kanazawa, Japan
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 5 min by car132 km north of Gifu - 6
Toyota, Japan
Half-day tripAbout 1 hr by car52 km south-east of Gifu - 7
Toyama, Japan
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 20 min by car148 km north of Gifu - 8
Hirakata, Japan
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 55 min by car122 km south-west of Gifu - 9
Okazaki, Japan
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car64 km south-east of Gifu - 10
Toyohashi, Japan
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car92 km south-east of Gifu - 11
Nara-shi, Japan
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 55 min by car120 km south-west of Gifu
A sample day: Gifu to Osaka
- 07:30Leave Gifu
- 09:40Arrive in Osaka (2 hr 10 min drive)
- 09:55Osaka Castle
- 11:55Lunch
- 13:10Dotonbori
- 14:55Sumiyoshi Taisha
- 16:25Head back to Gifu
- 18:35Home in Gifu
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Gifu?
- The best day trips from Gifu are Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, Hamamatsu, Kanazawa. The closest is Nagoya, about 35 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Gifu?
- Nagoya is the closest, 30 km south-east of Gifu, roughly 35 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Gifu?
- 2 places are within about an hour's drive of Gifu: Nagoya (35 min), Toyota (1 hr).
- What is the biggest city near Gifu for a day out?
- Osaka is the largest city in day-trip range, 140 km south-west of Gifu and about 2 hr 10 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- Where can I go for a weekend from Gifu?
- For a weekend away from Gifu, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Toyama (148 km, 2 hr 20 min), Osaka (140 km, 2 hr 10 min), Kanazawa (132 km, 2 hr 5 min), Hirakata (122 km, 1 hr 55 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Gifu?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Toyama at 148 km, around 2 hr 20 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.
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