Gero Onsen

Gero Onsen

As far back as ancient times, Gero Onsen was already well known to people. Legend has it that a white heron used to stop at the same spot by the Masuda River every day, which puzzled onlookers. When they approached, they discovered that the spot where the heron stood was actually a hot spring. Since then, the heron never returned; but people found a statue of Yakushi Nyorai (the Healing Buddha) near the hot spring and believed it to be the heron’s reincarnation, so they enshrined it. During the Edo period, Confucian scholar Razan Hayashi highly praised Gero Onsen, referring to it in his poetry as one of Japan’s three greatest hot springs, alongside the Springs of Kusatsu and the Springs of Arima.

Since the opening of Gero Station in 1930, Gero Onsen has developed rapidly. In 1974, the government established a management center to protect the hot spring water sources, ensuring that the temperature of the hot spring water in every ryokan in the area remains at 55 degrees Celsius. Moreover, there are attractions near the hot spring such as Gero Onsen Gassho Village, the Former Oodaira Family Residence, and the Komainu Museum. Today, Gero Onsen has become one of the most beloved destinations for both Japanese and foreign tourists, attracting thousands of visitors each year who come to sightsee and enjoy the hot springs.

Gero Onsen

Must-visit reason: One of Japan’s three most famous hot springs

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Japan[Japan]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Gifu Prefecture [Gifu Prefecture]

City where the attraction is located: Gero [Gero]