[Important] [Hida City, Gifu Prefecture] "Welcome Back, 1,000 Carp!" Hida Furukawa's Spring Tradition "Setogawa River Carp Migration" to be Held on April 4th (Saturday)
Hida Furukawa's spring tradition, the "Setogawa River Carp Migration," will be held on April 4th.
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- 📰 Published: March 30, 2026 at 22:40
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Hida City, Gifu Prefecture (Mayor: Junya Tsuruhashi) will hold its spring tradition, the "Setogawa River Carp Migration," on Saturday, April 4th. To protect the carp from snow removal operations for the Setogawa River, which is used as a snowmelt channel during winter, approximately 1,000 carp that overwintered in a nearby pond will be returned to the river by citizens and volunteers. Against the backdrop of the white-walled storehouse district, the sight of colorful large carp swimming leisurely is a symbolic landscape of Hida Furukawa. This event signals the full start of the castle town's tourism season and its beautiful spring attire.
Spring and Autumn Tradition: "Setogawa River Carp Migration"
The "Setogawa River," a tourist spot in Furukawa Town, Hida City, was created over 400 years ago for new land development and has been used for agricultural water and washing vegetables. After World War II, the river's pollution became noticeable due to garbage and domestic wastewater. The tradition began about 50 years ago when local residents released carp into the river with the aim of beautifying it.
Over 1,000 large carp of various colors such as red, white, yellow, and black swim leisurely in the Setogawa River, loved by citizens and tourists alike. The Setogawa River has become a popular photo spot in Hida Furukawa.
In winter, snow accumulated on rooftops is flowed into the Setogawa River. Therefore, every November, the carp are moved to the nearby Tenjin Pond (Masujima Castle Ruins), and in April, they are returned to the river, making it a seasonal tradition. *Last year, the move was made in mid-October due to construction.
The first group is scheduled to be released around 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM on Saturday, April 4th, behind Enkoji Temple (11-11 Tonomachi, Furukawa-cho, Hida City).
This may vary depending on the progress of the work and the movement of the carp.
FAQ
What is the "Setogawa River Carp Migration"?
It is a spring and autumn tradition in Hida Furukawa where approximately 1,000 carp are moved from the Setogawa River to a nearby pond for overwintering and then returned to the river in spring. This is done to protect the carp from snow removal operations during winter.
When and where will the carp migration take place?
The spring migration is scheduled for Saturday, April 4th, with the first group expected to be released around 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM behind Enkoji Temple (11-11 Tonomachi, Furukawa-cho, Hida City). Please note that the timing may vary.
Why are the carp moved?
During winter, the Setogawa River is used as a channel for melting snow from rooftops. To protect the carp from this process and potential harm, they are moved to a nearby pond (Tenjin Pond) to overwinter and are returned to the river in spring.
How did this tradition start?
The tradition began about 50 years ago when local residents released carp into the Setogawa River to beautify it, as it had become polluted with garbage and wastewater. The river was originally created over 400 years ago for agricultural purposes.
What is the significance of this event?
The migration of the colorful carp swimming in the Setogawa River, with the backdrop of the white-walled storehouse district, is a symbolic and picturesque landscape of Hida Furukawa. It marks the beginning of the town's tourism season and its beautiful spring appearance.