[Gifu] Supported by NPO ORGAN: Passing on the baton of culture and livelihoods along the Nagara River River

2025.08.19

The famous Rakuichi Rakuza policy established by Oda Nobunaga, who named the city "Gifu," is said to have brought prosperity to trade in the Nagara River River basin. We would like to introduce you to ORGAN, an NPO that is working to preserve the culture and livelihoods of the Nagara River River basin and pass the baton to future generations.

Hotel Resol Gifu

Located a 5-minute walk from both JR and Meitetsu Gifu Station, the spacious lobby welcomes you with Risor's original aromas.

You can relax in the spacious guest rooms with your shoes off.

• Table of Contents
• Culture and livelihoods were established thanks to the Nagara River
• It has flourished since ancient times, but passing it on to the next generation is not easy.
• Protecting the culture and livelihoods of the Nagara River River basin is protecting Japan

Culture and livelihoods were established thanks to the Nagara River

Various cultures and livelihoods have been passed down to the present day in the Nagara River River basin, with the Nagara River at the center of them all.

The river stretches 166 kilometers from Mount Dainichi in Gujo City to Ise Bay. In the days before modern cars, finished products and materials were transported by raft and boat along the Nagara River. Washi paper made in Mino was transported downstream and processed into Gifu and Gifu Japanese umbrellas.

Today, Gifu and Gifu Japanese umbrellas are used all over the country and boast the top market share. This culture was born from the Toyotomi , pure water of the Nagara River , and it is said that it was the Nagara River River basin that allowed the procurement of high-quality materials.

It has flourished since ancient times, but passing it on to the next generation is not easy.

A noren curtain depicting the colors of the Nagara River welcomes you.

The products that traditional artisans create one by one, working closely with natural materials, have a depth of character that is different from industrial products. This enriches 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 made into a viable occupation, the number of people who can carry them on will continue to decrease.

Continuing the culture of the Nagara River River basin so that the next generation can be proud of it. In response to this challenge, 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 has developed in the Nagara River River basin. In addition, by sharing the background and story of the culture of the Nagara River River basin, we are conveying the importance of its survival.

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

The threads that decorate the inside of each Japanese umbrella have different designs

Passing on the culture of the Nagara River River basin to the next generation will also help preserve Japanese culture. Gifu are used as Bon lanterns all over Japan. If they were to disappear, the landscape of Japan would change. Furthermore, if there were no more Japanese umbrella craftsmen, Japanese umbrellas would disappear from Kabuki, meaning that some performances would no longer be possible. Passing on culture to the next generation will also help preserve Japan's traditional performing arts and festivals.

"ORGAN" comes from the word "organic" and "organization."

ORGAN is a place where you can encounter products born from the many intertwining lives and occupations of people centered around the Nagara River, and their stories. Ethical consumption is now spreading among the younger generation. There you will find wonderful items that you will want to use carefully.

Starting in 2023, ORGAN began planning and running experiential tours called "Gifu Nagara River River Tours." You can also find information about them at the front desk of Hotel Resol Gifu. From same-day tours, such as making a badge using Gifu Japanese umbrella paper, to more in-depth experiences like river fishing on the Nagara River, why not take advantage of the 15 minutes to a full day of free time you have after checking into your hotel to experience something that can only be done on the Gifu Nagara River?

Nagara River Department Store (NPO ORGAN)

Phone: 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.