Learning about Yana fishery and
taste Ayu cuisine at different restaurants!
Summer to autumn tradition of Gujo is Yana fishery and Ayu (Sweetfish) dishes. Sweetfish caught in the clear stream Nagaragawa River basin that flows north and south in Gujo-shi is called Gujo Ayu, and the sweetfish caught in Wara River basin that flows in the eastern part of Gujo-shi is a branded sweetfish called Wara Ayu. Ayu cuisine that local restaurants offer, such as salt grilled, Kanroni (Stewed food in soy sauce and sugar), Ikizukuri (Sashimi prepared with live fish), and porridge, bring out the good point of fresh Ayu. Please enjoy the blissful time of enjoying Ayu cuisines while seeing a Yanaba in front of you and hearing the sound of the clear streams.
What is Yana fishery?
Yana fishery is a traditional fishing method by building a saw-shaped scaffold made of wood or bamboo in the river to form a group for spawning and catch Ayu that descend the river. It was originally introduced from China. Yana fishery is also practiced in various parts of Japan, but you can see Yana fishery for sightseeing only in Gujo. In order to protect the precious natural environment and Ayu living here, the fishing period is set for only three months from August to October every year and some restaurants only use materials from Yana field. We have protected the culture of Yana fishery with the support of the whole region.
The reason why Gujo Ayu has been praised by many people including the Emperor as a high-class Ayu for a long time is its mellow scent and its neat appearance. River flow of Yanaba in Gujo-shi is relatively faster. Algae which is food for Ayu, can grow easily in this new environment. Fresh algae feed Ayu making it tastier! Together with Gujo Ayu, Wara Ayu is also a highly evaluated fish. The rarity and unique bitterness fascinating all people can only be found in Kisogawa River in Wara-cho, which is close to water source in Gujo.
Yana fishery and Ayu cuisine are known as summer tradition in Gujo. But in fact, from late September to late October, Ochi Ayu going down the river for spawning, is the greasiest. There are more than 200 Ayu descending the river at the same time. Since the time, when Ayu descends the river, is determined by the hours of sunshine and water temperature, the exact time of Ochi Ayu changes from year to year, many regular customers still come to visit during this time.
One of the great attractions of sightseeing Yana is that you can actually experience Yana fishery. Depending on different Yana field, you can see how Ayu is caught. You can also get off at Yana field and catch Ayu by hand. Surface of Yana is close to the surface of a large river. It is more powerful than you can imagine. When there are many Ayu coming to you, all children and adults are very excited! Yana fishery is also popular as a summer leisure activity only in Gujo.
A restaurant where you can enjoy Gujo Ayu
Hachiman Area Gujo Hachiman Yana
The nearest Yanaba from Gujo Hachiman
Go sightseeing at the castle town!
Yanaba is close to Gujo Hachiman which is also a popular tourist spot. Restaurant only uses Ayu caught from Nagaragawa River and cook the best Ayu cuisine, such as salt grilled Ayu, boiled Ayu, and fried Ayu. After the meal, you can go down to Yanaba and play in the water. If you are lucky, you can even touch Ayu caught. It is also a perfect leisure spot for families and couples to spend their holidays.
- Address
- 3-6, Hachiman-cho Inari, Gujo-shi, Gifu-ken, 501-4223
- Telephone number
- 0575-65-3495
- Opening hours
- 11:00 – 15:00 (August – late October)
- Regular holiday
- Tuesday
- Parking area
- Available (25 parking lots for ordinary cars)
Hachiman Area Gujosanbo
A traditional Japanese cuisine restaurant of
1 room for only 1 group of customers
You can enjoy a Japanese cuisine course meal at Mushanokoji Saneatsu’s mansion, which remain the same appearance as the early Showa era (1926 – 1989). Wara Ayu is only served from June to July. Salt grilled Ayu, which is fully charcoal-grilled, is excellent.
- Address
- 211, Hachiman-cho Ono, Gujo-shi, Gifu-ken, 501-4221
- Telephone number
- 0575-67-0501
- Opening hours
- 17:00 – 21:00 (Last entry time 19:00)
* Ayu cuisine is provided from June to July
- Regular holiday
- Wednesday, Thursday
- Parking area
- Available
- Remarks
- Reservation required one group per day for each room (4 rooms available).
Reservation accepted till business day before.
Reservation accepted from 15:00 to 18:00.
Children only welcomed from junior high school or above.
Hachiman Area Ristorante Suzumenoiori
Natural Ayu course meal served
by chef of a Italian restaurant
Italian chef, who has experience in Ayu fishing, has devised a course meal for you to enjoy the whole Ayu from head to tail. We will serve you with an Italian menu such as Ayu confit, Aglio Olio, and baked Ayu.
- Address
- 474-1, Shirotori-cho Oshima, Gujo-shi, Gifu-ken, 501-5124
- Telephone number
- 0575-67-2355
- Opening hours
- 11:30 – 14:00, 17:30 – 20:00
(Ayu cuisine is provided from mid June to late September, reservation required)
- Regular holiday
- Tuesday and irregular
- Parking area
- Available
Yamato Area Yana
Catching Ayu fish depends on luck!
A restaurant using only natural Ayu
Only natural Ayu caught that year is provided in this restaurant, so operating date changes every year depending on climate and river condition. There are days when you can catch a lot of Ayu, and there are also sometimes days you cannot catch at all. Customers can watch Yana fishery while enjoying a meal of the day. You can enjoy salt grilled Ayu, Miso Dengaku (Grilled Ayu with sweet miso paste), fried Ayu, and boiled Ayu. You can also buy Uruka (Salted viscera of Ayu) and Ichiyaboshi (Salted dried Ayu) for souvenirs too.
- Address
- 5338, Yamato-cho Shima, Gujo-shi, Gifu-ken, 501-4610
- Telephone number
- 0575-88-3375
- Opening hours
- 11:00 – 19:00 (Please confirm opening hours by phone)
- Regular holiday
- Irregular
- Parking area
- Available (10 parking lots for ordinary cars)
Shirotori Area Nagomiya Seseragi
Try Ayu in full course meal
Enjoy staying for a night at a cottage and having a BBQ
This restaurant is serving full course meal with natural Gujo Ayu. Not only slat grilled Ayu, but also pasta, salad, fritters, and other menus that can only be enjoyed here. Other than Yanaba, there is also a log cottage and a BBQ restaurant. Come and enjoy a luxurious time with your family and friends in the grove of trees in front of clear stream Nagaragawa River.
- Address
- 694-2, Shirotoricho Oshima, Gujo Shi, Gifu Ken, 501-5124
- Telephone number
- 0575-72-2121
- Opening hours
- 11:00 – 18:00 (August to October only) * Open when reservation received from September 2020 (Please make reservation by phone)
- Regular holiday
- Wednesday
- Parking area
- Available (40 parking lots for ordinary cars)
Minami Area Miyachika
Tasting natural Ayu at
the best location for Yana fishery
Natural Ayu caught in this Yanaba, which was once the Imperial Household Agency’s hunting site, is kept alive in a cage for 72 hours, letting all gravel and algae in the stomach washed away, then quickly frozen and stored. You can enjoy the finest Ayu with the taste of local Gujo, such as salt grilled, Kanroni and Uruka. Customers can also experience Yana fishery before or after the meal. It is so powerful that over 10,000 Ayu are there when it is on its peak. Pets are also allowed on terrace seats.
- Address
- 2525, Minami-cho Kamita, Gujo-shi, Gifu-ken, 501-4101
- Telephone number
- 0575-79-2160
- Opening hours
- July, September, October, opens from 11:00 (Please make a reservation if you want to come after 14:00)
August 11:00 – 18:00 (Opens at 10:30 at weekends and public holidays)
- Regular holiday
- July to October, opens everyday
December to May, opens when reservation received (Group reservation only)
November, June, irregular
- Parking area
- Available (50 parking lots for ordinary cars)
Wara Area Restaurant Sante
Tasting course meal using fresh Wara ayu and
local seasonal ingredients
Course meals that include salt grilled Wara Ayu, vegetable tempura in summer, and mushroom dishes in autumn are recommended. Sometimes the owner himself goes fishing Ayu. Customers can enjoy various kinds of Ayu, from young Ayu in early summer to adult Ayu with eggs in late summer.
- Address
- 464-3, Wara-cho Miyaji, Gujo-shi, Gifu-ken, 501-4507
- Telephone number
- 0575-77-2619
- Opening hours
- 11:00 – 13:30, 17:00 – 22:00
(Ayu cuisine is provided from June to October)
- Regular holiday
- Monday
- Parking area
- Available (20 parking lots for ordinary cars)
Wara Nakasa
From single item to set meal
Feel free to come for a Ayu lunch
Many restaurants provide Ayu dishes as a course or as a single item, but there are few restaurants providing set meal for lunch. Nakasa is a local restaurant with attractive Ayu set meals such as salt grilled Ayu set meal and Ayu porridge set meal.
- Address
- 1012-5, Wara-cho Shimozawa, Gujo Shi, Gifu Ken, 501-4509
- Telephone number
- 0575-77-3739
- Opening hours
- Only open when reservation received
- Regular holiday
- Wednesday
- Parking area
- Available (5 parking lots for ordinary cars)
Wara Area Miyosushi
Salt grilled fresh Ayu by
a Sushi restaurant at Wara-cho
Unlike other normal sushi restaurant, salt grilled Wara Ayu is added to the menu every summer. When they receive reservation, they will purchase Ayu grown in Waragawa River and offer a whole salt grilled Ayu. Please enjoy the sushi which is made from Wara’s Koshihikari rice.
- Address
- 751-1, Wara-cho Shimobora, Gujo-shi, Gifu-ken, 501-4511
- Telephone number
- 0575-77-2748
- Opening hours
- 11:00 – 14:00, 17:00 – 22:00
(Salt grilled Ayu is from July to September)
- Regular holiday
- Thursday
- Parking area
- Available (5 parking lots for ordinary cars)
Wara Area Yamazakiya Hotel
Luxurious Ayu course meal only can be eaten at a hotel
Customers who only have meals are also welcomed!
A hotel is making dishes with seasonal ingredients. Customers with reservation are also welcomed, even you are not staying at the hotel. There are 5 types of dishes, salt grilled Ayu, Dengaku, open Ayu, fried Ayu, and Ayu porridge. Other than course meals for you to fully enjoy fresh Wara Ayu, we can also offer different Ayu menus according to your budget.
- Address
- 745-3, Wara-cho Sawa, Gujo-shi, Gifu-ken, 501-4517
- Telephone number
- 0575-77-2231
- Opening hours
- Check in 16:00
Check out 10:00
- Regular holiday
- Opens every day
- Parking area
- Available (10 parking lots for ordinary cars)
- Remarks
- 10 Japanese rooms, 30 customers in total