In an effort to protect the rich nature of the river while having fun, a cleanup activity and release of sweetfish took place on the Nagara River in Gifu City.
This event, called “TOYOTA SOCIAL FES!!”, was held to preserve the nature of the Nagara River for the future. On the 6th, about 200 local residents participated, carefully picking up cloth and plastic waste that had been left on the riverbed.
(A participating child) “It was difficult because the trash was tangled in the grass and hard to remove.”
After collecting the garbage, the participating residents released about 25,000 sweetfish fry into the Nagara River.
Nagara River
The Nagara River, located in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, is renowned for its clear waters and traditional cormorant fishing (ukai), a practice that dates back over 1,300 years. Historically, it served as a vital transportation route for goods and people, and its scenic beauty has been celebrated in Japanese poetry and art for centuries. Today, the river remains a cultural symbol, attracting visitors to witness the historic fishing method and enjoy its natural surroundings.
Gifu City
Gifu City, located in the heart of Japan, is historically known as the site of the famous Battle of Sekigahara (1600), a pivotal conflict that unified Japan under the Tokugawa shogunate. The city is also celebrated for its iconic Gifu Castle, originally built in the 13th century and later fortified by the warlord Oda Nobunaga, who used it as a base for his campaigns. Today, Gifu City blends this rich samurai-era heritage with modern attractions, including traditional cormorant fishing on the Nagara River.
