Things to do in Seki

No. 4 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Aichi Prefecture

Inuyama Castle

Inuyama Castle was built during the Muromachi Shogunate period. It is located on a small hill next to the Kiso River and is also known as Baidi Castle. This name is not unfamiliar to Chinese travelers, and the namer is indeed reminiscent of the poem "Early Departure from Baidi Castle" written by Li Bai. The Inuyama Castle Tower is one of the twelve existing ancient castle towers in Japan, and its style is relatively old. It is known as the "Four National Treasure Castles of Japan" together with Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle, and Hikone Castle. It has 3 floors on the outside, 4 floors inside, and 2 floors underground, which is rare among the castle towers in Japan. Of course, these floors are open to visitors, and travelers can view various architectural structures of the city underground. On the top floor, the 4th floor, you can also walk to the outdoor corridor to enjoy the scenery. Every Thursday, you can also watch the tour of the Aichi Prefecture's Warring States Princess Team for free, which is somewhat similar to the Nagoya Castle's general team and is still worth seeing. Inuyama Castle was built in 1537 by Oda Nobuyasu, the uncle of Oda Nobunaga. It is located on the border of Owari (Aichi Prefecture) and Mino (Gifu Prefecture). It has been a key point for conquering the world since the Warring States Period, and the lord of the castle has changed frequently. During the Battle of Komaki and Nagakute (1584), Toyotomi Hideyoshi led an army of 120,000 into the castle and had a showdown with Tokugawa Ieyasu who used Komakiyama Castle as his base. In the Edo Period (1603-1868), Naruse Masashige, the head of the Owari domain's retainers, became the lord of the castle until the end of the shogunate. However, due to the abolition of domains and establishment of prefectures during the Meiji Restoration (1868), the castle became the property of Aichi Prefecture. However, due to the Nobi earthquake in 1891, half of the castle was damaged, and the castle became the property of the Naruse family again on the condition of restoration. It was a privately owned castle until 2004, when it was taken over by a foundation.

Monet's Pond

This is a well-known pond by word of mouth. The unnamed pond is commonly known as Monet's pond. The beautiful water lilies bloom in the clear spring water, and the koi swim gracefully in the pond, as if it were the scenery in Monet's masterpiece "Water Lilies". The scene when the water lilies are in full bloom in early summer is amazing!

Gifu Castle

Gifu Castle, which stands on the rock at the top of Mount Jinhua, is easy to defend and difficult to attack. It took Oda Nobunaga more than ten years to travel from Nagoya to Gifu (then called Inabayama Castle). Therefore, after the capture of Gifu, Nobunaga couldn't wait to move the city here, and changed its name to Gifu after King Wen of Zhou Fengming Qishan as an allusion; This is the starting point of Nobunaga's military deployment in the world, a historical freezing point that cannot be missed. The present Gifu Castle is a 3-story 4-story castle rebuilt in 1956. There is a historical exhibition room in the castle and an observation deck upstairs. From the observation deck, you can overlook the Nagara River and the rolling mountains to the north. You can also enjoy the beautiful night view from the observation deck.

KTX Arena

KTX Arena is located in Takaya-cho, Konan, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and officially opened on May 1, 2018. Based on the philosophy of "enabling everyone to easily enjoy a healthy life and fostering interaction," the venue serves as an important public facility for local sports, fitness activities, and community engagement. The facility features a main arena, a sub-arena, a training room, and a fitness studio, which can be used for various sports such as basketball and volleyball, as well as to meet the diverse needs of individual workouts and group activities. The main arena is spacious and can host sports competitions and related events, while the sub-arena provides a flexible space for exercise. In addition to its daily sports functions, the venue also serves as a disaster prevention hub, capable of providing public services in the event of a disaster. The building is designed with usability in mind and is equipped with accessible parking spaces, multi-purpose restrooms, elevators, braille guidance facilities, wheelchairs, and infant care facilities to accommodate different users. With a primary focus on sports and health activities, while also serving community and disaster prevention needs, it is a comprehensive venue for daily exercise and interaction for the residents of Konan.

Gifu Seiryu Satoyama Park

No. 3 of Hot Springs Attractions in Gifu Prefecture

Mugegawa Hot Spring

Mugegawa Hot Spring is a leisure hot spring center that blends natural views, hot springs, and local cultural characteristics. Located in Gifu Prefecture, the center is surrounded by mountains and offers fresh air and a tranquil environment, making it a popular relaxation spot for local residents and visitors. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, this hot spring center offers unique scenery in every season. In spring, mountain flowers bloom and the landscape is lush with greenery; in summer, the climate is refreshing, allowing visitors to experience the natural atmosphere of the mountains; in fall, red leaves cover the mountains and forests, creating a charming view; in winter, it is perfect for soaking in warm spring water while enjoying the quiet winter scenery. The hot spring center features open-air baths, indoor baths, and relaxation spaces, allowing visitors to enjoy soaking while taking in the surrounding natural views. The center also has a relaxation area where visitors can rest, read magazines, or take a nap in a comfortable space after bathing.

Gifu Kakamigahara Air and Space Museum

Roadside Station Heisei (Michi-no-Eki)

Udatsu-lined streetscape

Japan Monkey Park

The park showcases over 70 species of approximately 900 monkeys, making it one of the largest collections worldwide. Visitors can observe various primates up close, including ring-tailed lemurs and spider monkeys. With 35 diverse attractions ranging from sports facilities to kid-friendly roller coasters, the park caters to all age groups. Specially designed zones like "Fun Land Monpara" and "Water Land Monpuru" provide younger children with endless entertainment. At the "Wao Land" section within the Japan Monkey Centre, visitors can share space with monkeys for intimate observation and interactive experiences.