An event was held in Gifu City where children collected trash and released juvenile sweetfish to protect the beauty of the Nagara River.
On the morning of the 6th, the “Toyota Social Fest!! ~Nagara River Cleanup Campaign~” took place along the Nagara River in Gifu City.
This event has been held annually for 13 years to protect the local nature.
Starting at 7 a.m. on the 6th, about 200 participants picked up trash along the riverbed and then released approximately 25,000 juvenile sweetfish.
“It was fun,” said one participant. “I think it’s great because cleaning the river makes it easier for the sweetfish to live,” added another.
The “Toyota Social Fest” will be held in various locations across the country through November.
Gifu City
Gifu City, located in central Japan, is historically known as a strategic stronghold during the Sengoku period, notably associated with the warlord Oda Nobunaga, who used Gifu Castle as his base for unifying the country. The city is also famous for its traditional cormorant fishing (ukai) on the Nagara River, a practice spanning over 1,300 years. Today, Gifu blends its rich samurai-era heritage with modern urban life, offering visitors historic landmarks and cultural experiences.
Nagara River
The Nagara River, located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, is renowned for its clear, pristine waters and the centuries-old tradition of cormorant fishing (ukai) that takes place along its banks. This fishing method, dating back over 1,300 years, involves skilled fishermen using trained cormorants to catch sweetfish, and is celebrated as a living cultural heritage. The river itself has long been a vital natural resource and scenic landmark, deeply intertwined with the region’s history and traditions.
