5 Must-Try Lunch Spots Near Mino’s Historic Old Town

Mino City in Gifu is home to a nationally designated historic district known for its traditional udatsu townscape. Udatsu are firewalls built between neighboring merchant houses during the Edo period (1603–1868) to help prevent fires from spreading. Because only wealthy merchants could afford elaborate udatsu, they became a symbol of prosperity and inspired a Japanese expression associated with getting ahead in life.

Today, Mino’s historic streets retain the atmosphere of an old merchant town and attract many visitors. Explore the area and stop by these five recommended spots for a memorable lunch.

• Tokai
• Gifu
• lunch

Mino Ryokufuso

Enjoy a leisurely meal in a scenic setting, with Ogura Park behind the restaurant, the Nagara River below, and views of Mino Bridge, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property.

Seasonal specialties include dengaku in spring, ayu (sweetfish) dishes in summer, and the signature Fuyu Nabe in winter. This Kyoto-style hot pot features beef and vegetables simmered shabu-shabu style in a broth made with three types of miso. Light yet rich and deeply flavorful, it is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes.

Miyachika

Overlooking the clear waters of the Nagara River, Miyachika offers seasonal local cuisine amid beautiful natural scenery. In summer, savor dishes featuring wild ayu (sweetfish), while winter brings local specialties such as wild boar hot pot.

Wild ayu is in season from around mid-August through October. During the yana fishing season, experience yana, a traditional fishing method that uses a platform to catch ayu swimming downstream.

kawara café slow green

This café at Seki Kanko Hotel offers sweeping views of the Nagara River flowing right outside. The covered terrace makes it easy to relax and enjoy the scenery even on rainy days.

Unwind with carefully hand-dripped coffee or lunch favorites such as the Wagyu Beef Stew. Dishes are served on handcrafted Mino ware, adding a touch of local craftsmanship to the dining experience.

Yamanami

Yamanami is a popular kappo-style izakaya serving Seki’s local specialties in a casual setting. At lunch, savor charcoal-grilled unagi (eel), one of Seki’s best-known local dishes. In the evening, relax over drinks and à la carte dishes such as sashimi and grilled chicken skewers. The menu also features premium ingredients such as foie gras, Iberian pork, and lamb at relatively reasonable prices.

Akikatsu

Akikatsu is a miso katsu specialty restaurant about a 20-minute drive from Mino’s historic old town. Each cut of pork is lightly pounded with a beer bottle to tenderize it before being carefully fried one by one. The signature sauce blends aged red miso with carefully selected Japanese ingredients.

The miso sauce is also available to purchase as a souvenir. Counter seats are ideal for solo diners, while tables and tatami seating accommodate larger groups. The restaurant also overlooks a beautiful garden, offering a relaxing setting for lunch.

A visit to the historic Udatsu Wall Historical District in Mino can be combined with a meal in nearby Gujo or Seki. All of the restaurants featured here are within a 20-minute drive of the district, making them convenient stops while exploring the area. Enjoying local cuisine alongside the natural scenery of Gifu adds another dimension to a sightseeing trip through the region.