Enjoy sightseeing and great food! A complete travel guide to Gero Onsen

One must-visit spot in Gero Onsen is Gero Onsen Gassho Village, an open-air museum that brings together valuable gassho-zukuri thatched-roof houses relocated from Shirakawa-go (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and other areas.
The village is made up of two zones: Gassho no Sato, where you can learn about life in the past, and Saijiki no Mori, where seasonal flowers and wild plants bloom throughout the year.
In Gassho no Sato, the museum recreates a traditional settlement with 10 gassho-style houses, centered around the nationally designated Important Cultural Property, the former Odo family residence.

Onsenji Temple is located in Yunoshima, Gero City, about a 15-minute walk from Gero Station.
Its appeal lies in the solemn atmosphere that flows through its quiet, hidden-away setting.
It also blends beautifully with the historic streetscape of the Gero Onsen area.
The temple grounds are reached after climbing 173 stone steps, and from there you can look out over the town of Gero below.
Cherry blossoms in spring and fall foliage in autumn make it a great place to enjoy Japan’s seasonal beauty.
In front of the main hall stands a revered statue of Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha), from which hot spring water flows; it’s also known as Yukake Yakushi.
According to legend, pouring the hot spring water over the same part of your body where you feel discomfort, as an offering, is said to help improve that condition.

About an 8-minute walk from Gero Station, the Gero Onsen Museum is located in Yunoshima, Gero City.
It’s a rare museum in Japan dedicated to hot springs, exploring the topic through both cultural and scientific perspectives.
It explains how hot springs emerge, their purported benefits, and different water qualities—not limited to Gero Onsen, but hot springs in general.
It’s a great way to enjoy Gero Onsen even more, while also learning more deeply about Japan’s hot spring culture as a whole.
In addition to a footbath, the museum also offers a walking bath experience.
By walking through a shallow pool, you stimulate your feet, which is expected to help promote circulation and more.
Since it’s not something you can easily experience at typical bathing facilities like hotels, it’s well worth trying while you’re here.

Gandate Gorge is located northeast of Gero Onsen, about a 40-minute drive from Gero Station.
It’s one of Gero City’s most scenic spots, formed by volcanic activity from Mt. Ontake that occurred around 54,000 years ago.
The lava-formed cliff continues along the river for Approx. 17 km, and is said to be Japan’s largest cross-section of a lava flow.
The view in front of you conveys the power of nature—and a span of history that’s almost impossible to imagine.
There’s also an observation deck in the nearby park, and stepping onto the forest road opens up to lush woods and river scenery.

The Gero Onsen Ideyu Morning Market is held at the entrance to Gero Onsen Gassho Village in the Gero Onsen area.
It draws crowds of locals and visitors looking for specialties like tomato juice, blueberry jam, and local sake.
With many shops selling Japanese-style goods and antiques, it’s also a great place to shop for souvenirs.
You’re likely to find deeper, more uniquely “Gero Onsen” souvenir items here—so look for a favorite piece to remember your trip by.
Every year, the market runs daily from early March to early December, from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
If you can, try timing your trip to Gero Onsen so you can stop by.

Gero Onsen Shrine stands in the center of the Gero Onsen area, on the corner by Shirasagi Bridge.
Built in 1989 as a branch shrine of Yudonosan Shrine (Hongan) in Yamagata Prefecture, it’s known for its striking guardian lion-dog statues.
Another highlight is a dragon statue with hot spring water flowing from its mouth.
It’s an easy stop while strolling around the onsen town, and there are plenty of footbath spots nearby as well. Soothe your tired feet in a footbath, then stop by to pay your respects.

Zenshoji Temple is located in Ogihara-cho, Gero City, about a 5-minute walk from Zenshoji Station.
It’s also easy to reach from the Gero Onsen area, as the train ride from Gero Station to Zenshoji Station takes around 5 minutes.
Founded in the Heian period, Zenshoji Temple preserves architectural styles from China’s Song dynasty (960–1279), and its appearance is so notable that it’s been called a “famous temple under heaven.”
The grounds are full of highlights, including the scenic Banzaido garden and tea room, as well as a massive cedar tree over 1,200 years old.
The cedar is also designated a Natural Monument of Japan.

Founded in 2010, Kaeru Shrine is a unique shrine themed around frogs—just as its name suggests.
It was built because “Gero” sounds like a frog’s croak in Japanese, and also with the wish of “returning home safely.”
Frogs are scattered throughout the grounds; for example, the water at the purification fountain flows from a frog’s mouth.
As you pray for a safe trip home from Gero Onsen, have fun searching for the hidden frogs.
Kaeru Shrine is about a 3-minute walk from both the Gero Onsen Museum and Gero Onsen Shrine, so it’s easy to visit together.

A landmark ryokan of Gero Onsen, founded in 1932.
Along the Hida River that runs through the center of the onsen town, four distinct wings—Rinkawa-kaku, Hisen-kaku, Sansui-kaku, and Seiran-so—stand side by side, offering a wide variety of guest rooms to suit different tastes and travel styles.
The ryokan has three large public baths, including the hinoki-rich “Geryu no Yu” (Rinkawa-kaku), and guests can use all baths regardless of which wing they stay in.

Founded in 1931, this historic hot spring inn dates back to when Gero Onsen was known as “Yunoshima.”
It was built on the mid-slope of Nakaneyama—also called “Gero Fuji”—so guests can relax and unwind surrounded by nature.
Designed around a fusion of traditional Japanese wooden architecture and modern Western-style architecture, it’s a long-established inn with a retro-modern feel inside.
From the lookout, you can take in a panoramic view of the town of Gero, while the open-air baths and large public bath offer views of the Hida mountain range from this elevated location.

Gero Onsen Ogawaya is a hot spring ryokan located in the heart of the Gero Onsen area, about a 7-minute walk from Gero Station.
That makes it a convenient base for exploring the onsen town.
Ogawaya’s biggest draws are its riverside setting overlooking the Hida River and its signature tatami-mat baths.
This uniquely Japanese space—where hot springs and tatami come together—offers a deeply relaxing experience.
The tatami feels pleasantly warm and soft underfoot, surrounding you with a comfort you can only experience at Ogawaya.
Day-use visits are also available, so consider adding it to your bath-hopping list.

Shogetsu, located about a 3-minute drive or a 15-minute walk from Gero Station, is a hot spring ryokan set on a hill.
Soak in the baths surrounded by seasonal nature while looking out over the onsen town below.
At night, you can also enjoy a truly special time, taking in the night view under moonlight.
In addition to the open-air baths, the large glass-walled indoor bath also feels wonderfully refreshing.
It’s also a nice bonus that they’ll provide a shuttle to and from Gero Station if you contact them.

A food-focused inn that quietly sits on a hill, with the feel of a hidden retreat for adults. While looking out at Nakaneyama—known as “Gero Fuji”—and the onsen town below, you can enjoy a stay filled with privacy and calm.
The hot springs can be enjoyed in the panoramic open-air bath with views of “Gero Fuji,” the spacious large public bath, and two reservable private baths—one in the main building and one in the annex.
For dinner, savor kaiseki cuisine made with carefully selected seasonal ingredients and locally sourced produce, served either in a dining area filled with the warmth of wood or in the comfort of your guest room.

Gero Onsen Ashiyu Yuamiya is located in the Gero Onsen area, right next to Gero Onsen Shrine.
It’s well worth stopping by while you’re there to pay your respects.
Recommended menu items at Gero Onsen Ashiyu no Sato Yuamiya include the Ontama Soft (soft serve topped with a hot spring egg) and the Honwaka Pudding, warmed and enjoyed using hot spring heat.
You can eat these sweets while soaking in the footbath—perfect for soothing your tired body with both your taste buds and your feet after a day of walking.
There’s also terrace seating, adding to the open, relaxing atmosphere.

At Yushima-an, run directly by a long-established butcher shop, you can easily enjoy exquisite nigiri sushi topped with seared Hida beef.
Local craft beer is also sold, and the pairing speaks for itself.
The meat sushi served on a rice cracker in place of a plate makes a big impression and looks great in photos, too.
Located in the Gero Onsen area about an 8-minute walk from Gero Station, it’s perfect for eating your way through town.
It’s become a classic Gero Onsen food, so be sure to try it at least once.

Nakasa is about a 7-minute walk from Gero Station, offering superb soba dishes in a spacious, warmly welcoming setting.
Its exterior has a sense of history and character, evoking a distinctly Japanese atmosphere.
The most popular dish is their aromatic, flavorful soba, but we also recommend the sobagaki, limited to 10 servings per day.
Sobagaki is a mochi-like dish made by adding hot water to buckwheat flour and shaping it while heating.
It’s known for bringing out an even stronger buckwheat aroma, and it pairs perfectly with a drink as well.
Nakasa also offers seasonal tempura.
The restaurant has earned a Michelin one-star rating in the past, and once you try Nakasa’s soba, you’ll understand why.