Japan: Gifu from Mt. Kinka

Gifu, like many Japanese cities, is nestled in among mountains. The city's most famous mountain is Mt. Kinka, home of a castle that had military and political importance in the 1500s.

 We took a ropeway train to the top of Mt. Kinka.

The replica of the historic castle apparently failed to make much of an impression--we have no photos of it. But the views of the city from the castle were terrific.

More than any other visual spot on our trip, the view from Gifu Castle was an amazing contrast between dense development and undeveloped mountains.

Gifu is also known for its rivers and high quality drinking water.

Mostly happy, but also somewhat tired