6 November 2017
You would never ever get wet
The covered shopping streets of Gifu
Heres what I have learnt about Gifu -
They are deathly afraid of rain. To ensure they never ever have to get wet, they put a roof over everything.
Every street has a little roof over it, or a full roof over it.
The entire station forecourt has a roof over it, and then a roof over the roof.
The street roof extends into areas no one ever goes. I went down some places that have only previously ever been walked down by the people that installed the roof in the first place.
Appparently, based on a million signs I saw, this is all the result of 'Active G - World Design City'. They have a website, talking about how the energy eminating out from the station precinct will improve the livelihood of the city.
They seek to spread positive energy from the station focal point by building a roof to everywhere.
Theres only one problem with all this, there are no people.
Here is just one random street, nice roofs, very modern.
A completely different street, more roofs, nice sunset though.
This roofed shopping street is apparently themed on the city of Florence. I am yet to work out how. The proper covered streets are a labyrinth, there is a Takashimaya hidden amongst the middle of it all.
One of the lesser roofed shopping streets, no people to be seen.
Even though its under a roof already, this guy has also erected a tent around his izakaya, just to make sure.
By building a roof over everything they got rid of all the Yakuza in Gifu, and I presume most of the people.
This pub is under a roof, but its only for Irish losers.
Here is tonights loudspeaker idiots, conveniently parked under a roof.
There are actually quite a few police on the other side of the road where I am also standing watching whats going on.
I headed down a roofed street back to the station and found an Ippudo, world famous Ramen as found in Taipei and Sydney. Best ramen of my trip so far!
The spoon on the left had the extra hot chilli sauce I added, which was delicious.