Mitake Gifu Prefecture 御嵩、岐阜県
Mitake is an old post town (juku) on the northern, mountain trade route from Kyoto to Tokyo, known as the Nakasendo 中仙道. In Gifu Prefecture, the Nakasendo highway passes through Ena, Iwamura, Mitake and on to Magome and Tsumago. The journey uphill from Magome to Tsumago is one of the most popular legs of the 534 km long Nakasendo.
There are a few sights to see within easy walking distance of Mitake Station.
Gankoji Temple
Nearest to the station is the ancient temple of Gankoji, which originally dates from the Heian Period, though the oldest buildings that survive are around 400 years old. The temple has some historic wooden statues which may be viewed in a storehouse near the main hall. In 2020 several pieces of historic graffiti were discovered at the temple. The graffiti includes names of places and people and even short poems daubed in ink. Travelers passing through the post town left their thoughts on the temple wall.
Walking down the main street brings you to the modern Nakasendo Mitakekan (Mitake Nakasendo Museum) with exhibits showing the history of the area from earliest times to the present, with emphasis on the economic and social history of the Nakasendo highway.
Nearby is the preserved wooden gate of an inn used by feudal lords and other dignitaries as they made their way to and from Edo.
Virtually next door is the fascinating Takeya Residence, a preserved Meiji-era (1877) house of the Takeya merchant family who made their fortune in the timber trade and also the manufacture of indigo-dyed cloth before moving to Nagoya. There is a reconstructed Edo-period kitchen featuring a kamado stove, a teahouse and garden. There is also an historic storehouse (kura) on the property.
Daichisan Gukeiji Temple has a small stone garden and is north of National Highway 21 behind Mitake Elementary School. Walking away from Mitake Station brings you into some lovely countryside.
Access – Getting There
The quickest way to reach the village is on the Meitetsu Hiromi Line from Inuyama via Nagoya. Change trains at Shin-Kani for the local train to Mitake. The tiny tourist information center is inside the small station.
Get to Inuyama by express train from Nagoya Station. Alternatively, take the Meitetsu Komaki Line (Kamiida Line) from Heian-dori Station (on both the Meijo Line and the Kamiida Line of Nagoya subway).
Places to Eat
There are a few places to eat in the village. Try Pete (ピート) for good value, western-style set lunches (teishoku) or alternatively the contemporary Kashiwaya (kashiwaya-mitake.com) right on the main Nakasendo street. Kashiwaya is a tasteful restoration of the former honjin (inn) on the Nakasendo. It’s great for coffee and cakes, too, with outdoor seating available at the back.
Accommodation
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