Gero Onsen

Gero Onsen is one of Japan’s three famous hot springs, alongside Arima Onsen (Hyogo) and Kusatsu Onsen (Gunma). With over 1,000 years of history, Gero Onsen once stopped flowing, but the “White Heron Legend” says a white heron descended on the Hida River, and when villagers investigated, hot spring water was found bubbling up there—this legend is still told today. The spring quality is alkaline simple hot spring water, gentle on the body and known for beauty-skin effects that remove dead skin, making it enjoyable for everyone from children to seniors. Gero Onsen offers a “Yumeguri Tegata,” a hot spring pass that lets you bathe in three different participating ryokan/hotel baths—meaning you can enjoy hot springs even beyond where you’re staying. With around 40 ryokan to choose from, you can pick one that matches your purpose and taste to heal travel fatigue, and there are also free footbaths scattered around town to rest your feet during walks. Every year from October, seasonal Japanese cultural fireworks are launched every Saturday downstream of Gero Bridge, delighting spectators.