Gero Onsen Machi is a bustling hot spring resort area along the Hida River, centered on the Gero Ohashi Bridge, where you can walk around and enjoy the sights, inns, restaurants, and souvenir stores.
You can enjoy strolling around the hot spring town with its fountain ponds, hand and foot baths, and other hot springs everywhere you go.
Touring Japan’s Three Best Hot Springs
Gero Onsen is one of the three most famous hot springs in Japan, and is also known as "Bijin-no-yu," or "hot water of beauty," for its smooth and silky texture.
The hot spring town is dotted with spots where you can enjoy a footbath and take a short break while strolling around.
You can also take a relaxing one-day trip to a public bathhouse that can be easily used, or to "Fountain Pond," an open-air bath (currently footbath) located on the riverbed.
If you use the "Yumeguri Handbill," which allows you to bathe at three inns and hotels, you can fully enjoy Gero's famous hot springs in baths of different styles, such as the 100 square meter Tatami-mat bath and the open-air bath with a view of the Hida River.
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Gero Onsen Gassho Village
The Gero Onsen Gassho Mura (Gero Onsen Gassho Village) is a village of 10 gassho-zukuri houses that have been relocated and preserved from Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, allowing visitors to experience the lifestyle and culture of the Hida region.
Gero Onsen Museum
This museum is dedicated to hot springs with exhibits on the science of hot springs and the culture of hot springs, as well as a hands-on corner.
Onsenji Temple
This temple is named after the legend of an egret that reportedly informed the source of Gero Onsen (Gero Hot Springs) to a heron. The temple is also known for its illuminated autumn foliage.
Kaeru Shrine
Frogs can be seen in the windows of the stone lanterns, in the water closet, and in the shrine pavilions.
Enjoy the humor of the pun on the name, which combines the sounds of Gero and frogs, and the combination of words such as "safe return," while hoping for good luck.
Chaplin Statue
The statue of Chaplin was commissioned by a Hollywood sculptor. You can take an impressive commemorative photo.
Sarubobo Seven Lucky Gods Shrine, Gero Onsen Shrine, Frog Waterfall, etc.
Gero’s Gourmet Specialties
Chicken Chan-yaki
Chicken thighs and cabbage are grilled together in a special sauce made with homemade miso, nuts, sake, and other ingredients.
Hoba Miso
Homemade miso is mixed with spices such as green onions, shiitake mushrooms and other wild vegetables and mushrooms, then grilled on a hoba leaf and served with rice.
The aroma and flavor of the hoba leaves can be enjoyed by grilling Hida beef and vegetables on top of the hoba miso.
Tomato Donburi
You can fully enjoy the sweetness and texture of Hida tomatoes, a brand-name vegetable representative of Gero.
Ayu fish
The clear Hida River is home to many species of fish, including char, amago, and especially sweetfish, and there are also sightseeing yana where you can enjoy a variety of sweetfish dishes such as grilled sweetfish and sweetfish rice.
Aburi meat sushi, Gero milk ramen, Hida beef cutlets, and Gero City brand pork "Natokubuta" are also available.
Japanese sweets and sweets
Onsen-manju (hot spring buns), Gero's famous traditional taste of rice crackers made from horse chestnuts, and new sweets such as soft-boiled egg jelly and Gero pudding can be enjoyed.
Train:
Walk from “Gero Station” of JR Takayama-Hon Line
Bus:
Gero Onsen direct bus” runs daily from JR Nagoya Station to the bus center in front of Gero Station (one round trip per day).
Car:
From Chuo Expressway/Nakatsugawa IC, drive about 52 km via Route 257 and 41.
From Tokai Kanjo Expressway/Fukaseki IC, approx. 35 km via Prefectural Road 58, turn left at Ijiri intersection, and drive approx. 28 km via National Road 41.