Gifu is a both a
city and a
prefecture in central
Honshu,
Japan. The city has an estimated population of over 410,000 and the prefecture over 2,111,800. It's a landlocked area surrounded by
mountains on three sides and the plain these mountains surround,
Nobi Plain, is home to the area's
agriculture industry and the cities of
Gifu,
Ogaki,
Seki, and
Mino. In the mountains forestry is the main industry, but the region supports
textile,
pottery,
cutlery,
paper, and automobile industries. The prefecture is also home to
Sekigahara pass, the site of the battle between
Ieyasu Tokugawa and
Ishida Mitsunari which began the
Edo period.
The city of Gifu is known for manufacturing paper lanterns and sweetfish fishing. It has been chosen as a prime candidate for the capital relocation movement, which is an effort to promote reform in the government and decentralize it.
Prefecture Fast Facts:
- Prefectural Tree: The Yew
- Prefectural Flower: The Lotus
- Prefectural Fish: The Sweetfish
- Prefectural Bird: The Snow Grouse
- Area: 10,595.75 sq. km.
- Population: 2,111,893 (As of 10/1/01)
Sources:
http://www.eb.com/
http://www.pref.gifu.jp/