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Matsuri Guide

Local festival • Gifu (岐阜県)

ふるさとあったか祭り

Maze "Furusato Attaka" Festival

Furusato Attaka Matsuri (ふるさとあったか祭り)

Next date On Sunday, November 1, 2026
Status Date not confirmed
Period Usually early November, one day event
Date type Variable, according to the official schedule published each year
Venue Seiryū Fureai Kaikan (清流ふれあい会館)
Access The festival takes place at Seiryū Fureai Kaikan in the Maze area of Gero; access is mainly by car, about 20 minutes from Gero Onsen depending on traffic, via the mountain roads in the Maze area.

Name in Japanese and English

  • ふるさとあったか祭り (Furusato Attaka Matsuri)
  • “Furusato Attaka” Festival of Maze

Summary

ふるさとあったか祭り (Furusato Attaka Matsuri), or “Furusato Attaka” Festival of Maze, is an autumn event held in the 馬瀬 (Maze) area, in 下呂市 (Gero-shi), Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県 (Gifu-ken)). It is presented as one of the major local autumn gatherings, with a village atmosphere, stalls, agricultural products, local specialties, entertainment, and opportunities for residents to meet. Depending on the sources, the event may also appear under the name 南飛騨まぜ 秋のふるさと祭り (Minami-Hida Maze Aki no Furusato Matsuri).

Access and landmarks

Location

清流ふれあい会館 (Seiryū Fureai Kaikan), community hall and space in the Maze Nakagiri area. The festival takes place around the building, with stalls, entertainment, exhibition spaces, and activities according to the year’s program.

Address

〒509-2604 岐阜県下呂市馬瀬中切1218-1, Seiryū Fureai Kaikan, Maze Nakagiri 1218-1, Gero-shi, Gifu-ken.

Landmark

The main landmark is 清流ふれあい会館 (Seiryū Fureai Kaikan). The area is located near the Maze River and the 国道257号 (Kokudō 257-gō) route, often used to reach Maze from the Gero Onsen area or other Hida valleys.

Access

Access is mainly by car. From the 下呂温泉 (Gero Onsen) area, it takes about 20 minutes depending on traffic and road conditions. Public transportation is limited in this mountainous area; it is therefore advisable to check the route in advance and keep an offline map or screenshot.

Event program

The Furusato Attaka Matsuri usually takes place over one day, in early November. The format is that of a local market-festival: visitors move from stall to stall, taste specialties, buy agricultural products, enjoy entertainment, and meet residents of the Maze area.

Recent programs highlight local productions through a 農産物品評即売会 (nōsanbutsu hinpyō sokubai-kai), a presentation, contest, and direct sale of agricultural products. This is one of the core elements of the event: promoting the work of producers, seasonal vegetables, mountain specialties, and village flavors.

Around the 特産品 (tokusan-hin) stalls, local products, the atmosphere remains very family-friendly. There are often sales, simple food stalls, demonstrations, exhibitions, and participatory activities. The event does not have the ceremonial aspect of a large shrine matsuri: it functions more like a warm and accessible community fair.

A highlight often mentioned is the 大縄跳び大会 (ōnawabito taikai), a large jump rope competition. This activity gives the festival a lively and collective feel: teams, cheers, laughter, and local participation strengthen the village atmosphere.

Depending on the editions, the cultural dimension is also present with exhibitions, stage performances, demonstrations, or presentations by local associations. The 2025 edition, for example, was associated with the local culture of Maze, with exhibitions, artistic presentations, and activities that attracted several hundred visitors.

Practical tips

Photos

Plan for three types of images: a wide shot of the arrival at 清流ふれあい会館 (Seiryū Fureai Kaikan), close-ups of local products, posters, stalls or grilled food, then an atmosphere shot of the crowd. For action shots, the 大縄跳び大会 (ōnawabito taikai) provides very lively photos.

Weather

Early November in the Maze valley can be cool, especially in the shade or late in the day. Dress in layers, bring a windbreaker jacket, and wear comfortable shoes. The surroundings can be damp depending on the weather in the days before; a poncho or small blanket may be useful if you stay outside for a long time.

Transport

Car is the simplest option. Arriving a little early makes parking easier and allows you to enjoy the best stalls before the crowd arrives. Since mobile networks can be less stable in some mountain areas, keep a screenshot of the map and route.

Visitor tips

First doing a reconnaissance tour before buying helps avoid carrying too much too early. If you come for photography, position yourself early near the activities, especially the jump rope or the stage. A useful phrase is これは地元のものですか (kore wa jimoto no mono desu ka), “Is this a local product?”.

What to bring

現金 (genkin), cash, reusable bag, external battery, wipes, small towel, warm jacket, and comfortable shoes. For children or noise-sensitive people, noise-cancelling headphones may be useful if the stage or sound system is nearby.

History

The Furusato Attaka Matsuri is an autumn event held in the Maze area of Gero. The name ふるさと (furusato) evokes the hometown, village, or place one is attached to, while あったか (attaka) refers to a sense of warmth. The title thus fits the spirit of the event: a warm local festival focused on residents and local products.

Maze is a mountainous area crossed by the Maze River, known for its rural landscapes, valley roads, agricultural products, and strong connection to nature. The festival brings the community together for a late autumn moment, after the main activities of the warm season and before entering the colder period.

Depending on the year and sources, the event may also be communicated under the name 南飛騨まぜ 秋のふるさと祭り (Minami-Hida Maze Aki no Furusato Matsuri). This variant emphasizes Maze’s identity as part of southern Hida and the autumn season.

Recent editions confirm the importance of the festival as a community gathering. The city of Gero reported on the 2025 edition, held on November 2 at Seiryū Fureai Kaikan, with a market, specialty stalls, exhibition by the Maze cultural association, artistic presentations, and over 500 visitors.

Through its sales of agricultural products, entertainment, and stalls, the festival plays a role as a local showcase. It highlights the skills, tastes, and associative energy of Maze, in a simpler and more resident-focused form than a large tourist event.

Sources & References

Location

Maze "Furusato Attaka" Festival

📍 Venue:
Seiryū Fureai Kaikan (清流ふれあい会館)
Mazenakagiri, Gero, Gifu 509-2604, Japon

📅 Add to Calendar
Upcoming Schedule
  • To be confirmed Nov 1, 2026
  • To be confirmed Nov 7, 2027
  • To be confirmed Nov 5, 2028