Gifu is located in the northern part of Aichi and is the seventh largest prefecture in Japan in terms of area. The Hida region in the north is home to towering mountains reaching heights of 3,000 meters, while the Mino region in the south is home to the Nobi Plain, known as the land of "Toyama Nosui." Approximately 81% of the area is mountainous, with flat land accounting for approximately 12%. However, the majority of the population of approximately 1.9 million people live in the plains adjacent to Aichi, and many golf courses have been built in the gently sloping hills close to the plains.
Golf courses in Gifu are easily accessible by car. Starting from Komaki-shi, Aichi, the Chuo Expressway runs through the Tono region, and the Meishin Expressway runs through the Seino region. The Tokai Loop Expressway, which connects the Chuo Expressway's Toki Junction and the Meishin Expressway's Yoro Junction, connects major cities in the Nobi Plain. The Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway also runs north, connecting the Meishin Expressway's Ichinomiya Junction and the Tokai Loop Expressway's Minoseki Junction, and several golf courses have been developed around each interchange.
Gifu Prefecture is divided into five areas: Tono, Nakano, Seino, Gifu, and Hida, with most golf courses located in the four areas other than Hida. Shinyo Country Club is very popular in the Tono area. The 18 holes, designed by master golfer Desmond Muirhead with a Greek mythological motif, are an impressive layout that you will never forget once you have played a round. In the Nakano area, Minoseki Country Club is highly popular among local golfers.