Shoot the Moon: Smartphone Photography Featuring “Gifu Castle and The Moon” Day Tour

Take your very own awe-inspiring photo of Gifu Castle atop Mount Kinka with a supersized full moon as a magnificent backdrop, using only a smartphone at a photography course supervised by Gifu’s expert photographer, Atsushi Kobayashi! Enjoy lunch and then, a soak in a private rotenburo (open-air bath) while you take in the grand scenery of nearby Gifu Castle and Mount Kinka from a different viewpoint at Hotel Park, a ryokan with an illustrious history of 130 years. Look forward to a special menu highlighting local specialties and Gifu’s history such as the prized salt-grilled sweetfish and sarasa salmon, with dishes inspired by the cuisine that the local fishermen dined on and more! (Optional) There are also riceballs and the Shokado refreshments available for those who prefer a lighter meal. 

From AUD $887

Highlights

  • (Optional) Rest and relax in a private rotenburo (open-air bath) with a grand view of Mount Kinka with Gifu Castle atop – the closest of any bath in the area.

  • Lunch is a luxurious kaiseki meal made from nature's rich bounty and the local culture, including salt-grilled sweetfish, sarasa salmon, and recreations of the cuisine that the local fishermen dined on and more! The miso tsuyu soup for the Hotel Park exclusive, Ikadashinabe, features an original blend with akamiso (red miso paste) as a base.

  • This course includes a guided walking tour of the Gifu Castle area. The guide will be with you from the Mount Kinka Ropeway to Gifu Castle.

  • Learn the ins and outs of taking the signature "Gifu Castle and the Moon" shot with your smartphone from a qualified professional photographer! You are more than welcome to bring your camera along for the course and the photoshoot.

  • A complimentary Gifu "Moon & Castle" Baumkuchen, a delicious souvenir of your visit to Gifu.

  • Duration

    *Depends on the schedule.

  • Offered in

    English

What is included

  • Photography course

  • Hotel Park lunch

  • Gifu Castle area guided tour

  • Photoshoot guidance​

  • Souvenir

  • Pickup and dropoff

ITINERARY

Meeting / Pickup Point

Gifu Station, Gifu-Hashima Station, Gifu City hotels

Start time

09:45:00

End point

Hotels within Gifu City area, Gifu Station

What To Expect

Indulge in a cultural and culinary journey in Gifu, Japan, where tradition meets breathtaking scenery. Relax in an optional private rotenburo (open-air bath) with the closest view of Mount Kinka and Gifu Castle, then enjoy a luxurious kaiseki lunch featuring local delicacies such as salt-grilled sweetfish, sarasa salmon, and the Hotel Park-exclusive Ikadashinabe hot pot with rich akamiso broth. A guided walking tour takes you from the Mount Kinka Ropeway up to Gifu Castle, where you’ll learn fascinating history and photography tips from a professional on how to capture the iconic “Gifu Castle and the Moon” shot. To complete your memorable day, receive a complimentary Gifu Moon & Castle Baumkuchen as a delicious souvenir of your authentic countryside experience.

Schedule

・10:45 - Gifu Station, Gifu Hashima Station, Gifu City hotel pick up
***If pickup is not required, please meet at the Front Desk of Hotel Park at 11:00
・11:45 - Gifu Specialties lunch - options available
・14:30 - Gifu Castle area guided walking tour, free time to walk (Gifu Park, the Great Buddha of Gifu)
****Mr. Kobayashi will not be present
・16:45 - Photography course by Atsushi Kobayashi and fellow professional photographer (lesson in conference room)
・17:10 - Depart for "Gifu Castle and The Moon“ photoshoot location (by foot or taxi)
・17:30 - Photoshoot standby, photoshoot lecture, photoshoot
・18:40 - Photo-editing and revision at the Hotel Park conference room
・19:15 - Dropoff at hotel in Gifu City area or Gifu Station

*****This itinerary is an example.　

**Please be sure to check the date of the course as there are several variations in scheduling for each day.























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    • Start time: 9:45～12:35 Gifu Station, Gifu-Hashima Station, Gifu City hotels

    • Dismissal: 17:25～21:05 Hotels within Gifu City area, Gifu Station

    • Availability: 2025/4/13, 5/11, 6/9, 7/9, 9/9, 10/6, 11/3 * Dec. onwards TBD

    • Number of Participants 2 to 18 people. * Consultation required in the case of 1 participant.

    • For best smartphone phototaking results, please download the following free apps: Yamera (Manual Camera) for the iPhone, and Manual Camera DSLR (Lite) for Android phones.

    • There will be 10 sets of telephoto lenses available for borrowing. In the event of large group numbers, one set will be allocated to one phone to be shared between two people.

    • In the case of rain or cloudy weather obstructing the moon, you will be guided to a location in Gifu City where you can capture the panoramic night scenery on your smartphone instead.

    • Please bring a tripod for your smartphone.

    • (Optional) Soak in Hotel Park's private open-air bath. (limited to 3 groups, 30 mins per group)

    • Lunch arrangements available as an option. (Adults and children: 2,500-yen discount

    • Light meals: rice ball + Shokado menu (4 kinds of side dishes))

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