The Backpack Adventures

Day 18 June 3, 2018 Gifu - Nagano Road Trip Day 4 It's a beautiful day here in Gifu City. We are on our last leg of our Gifu-Nagano Road trip. As usual, I decided to wake up very early to take a dip at our hotel's onsen. By this time, I could proudly say that I have unlocked several achievements... First of all is the " Nude Man Walking " which means I have lost the sense of shame, walking naked around other men, and the " Grandslam Boiled Eggs " which means I have boiled my you-know-what in an onsen for three straight days already.  I almost went inside because this was the men's onsen area last night... thank goodness I saw the "Ladies" in the middle curtain Breakfast time! He might be old but his talent in making pancakes is matched only by a few My daughter enjoying her meal Achievements aside, after my dip I went to meet my family at the dining area for breakfast. The buffet breakfast was amazing. There were so many dishe

Ukai is a traditional fishing method in Japan wherein instead of using fishing rods and nets, the usho or cormorant fishing master uses an aquatic bird known as the cormorant to catch fish.  Ukai Ukai History This traditional fishing method can be traced back more than 1300 years ago.  It was mentioned in the Chronicles of Japan ( Nihon Shoki ) which was originally published in 720 AD and the Records of Ancient Matters ( Kojiki ) which was originally published in 712 AD. Due to its long history and its traditional value to Japan, the Ukai in Nagara River is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan . One of the  usho explaining what the ukai is Boarding time Not only is the Ukai an important cultural event, but it is also one of the main tourist magnets of Gifu City. Thousands of local and foreign tourists visit the city during the cormorant fishing season (May 11- October 15) to witness the thousand-year tradition. Among those who had