Gifu Prefecture is a region with a long history. During the Sengoku period, Oda Nobunaga named the area "Gifu" and made it his base for unifying the country, which is why the name became known nationwide. Nobunaga's famous free markets and free courts are said to have brought about a boom in trade in the Nagara River basin. We visited ORGAN, an NPO that works to pass on the culture and livelihoods of the Nagara River basin to the present day and to pass the baton to future generations.

Culture and livelihoods were established thanks to the Nagara River

Various cultures and livelihoods have been handed down to the present day in the Nagara River basin, and Director Kumada explained that the Nagara River is at the heart of it all.

The total length is 166 km from Dainichigatake in Gujo City to Ise Bay. In the days before modern cars, finished products and materials were transported by raft or boat along the Nagara River. Washi paper made in Mino was transported downstream and processed into Gifu lanterns and Gifu Japanese umbrellas.

Currently, Gifu lanterns and Gifu Japanese umbrellas are used all over the country and boast the top market share. This culture was born because of the abundant and pure water of the Nagara River, and it is said that it was because the Nagara River basin was able to provide high-quality materials.

It has flourished since ancient times, but passing it on to the next generation is no easy task.

The things that traditional craftsmen create one by one, working closely with natural materials, have a different depth of character to industrial products. They also enrich our lives. However, as lifestyles and industrial structures change with the times, it is not easy to pass on traditional crafts that require a lot of time and effort. If they cannot be a viable occupation, the number of people who can carry them on will continue to decrease.

Continuing the culture of the Nagara River Basin, something to be proud of for the next generation. In response to this issue, ORGAN opened the Nagara River Department Store and Wagasa CASA, select shops in Minatomachi, Gifu City, that connect artisans with customers. Here, you can purchase goods and food that have been modernized to reflect the culture that was nurtured in the Nagara River Basin. In addition, by sharing the background and story of the Nagara River Basin culture, we are conveying the importance of its survival.

Protecting the culture and livelihoods of the Nagara River basin is protecting Japan

Passing on the culture of the Nagara River basin to the next generation. This also leads to protecting Japanese culture. Gifu lanterns are used as Bon lanterns all over Japan. If they were to disappear, the landscape of Japan would change. Also, if there were no more Japanese umbrella craftsmen, Japanese umbrellas would disappear from Kabuki, meaning that some performances would not be able to be performed. Passing on culture to the next generation. This also leads to protecting Japan's traditional performing arts and festivals.

“ORGAN” comes from the word organic and organization.

ORGAN is a place where you can encounter products and their stories that are born from the multiple interactions of people's lives and occupations centered around the Nagara River. Ethical consumption is now spreading among the younger generation. There are wonderful things there that you will want to use carefully.

ORGAN has started planning and running an experience tour called "Gifu Nagaragawa River Tours" from 2023. You can also find it at the front desk of HOTEL RESOL GIFU. From things you can participate in on the day, such as making a badge using Gifu Japanese umbrella paper, to more in-depth things like river fishing on the Nagaragawa River. Why not take advantage of the 15 minutes to a whole day you have after checking into your hotel to experience something that can only be done on the Nagaragawa River in Gifu?

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Nagaragawa Department Store (NPO ORGAN)

電話：058-269-3858

Address: 45 Minatomachi, Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture, 500-8009

Access: 2 minutes walk from Gifu Bus "Nagarabashi" stop

HP: https://nagaragawadepart.storeinfo.jp/

SNS: https://www.instagram.com/nagaragawa_depart/

*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.