Tour Gifu's Gero Onsen With a Guide & Sample Local Sweets

Overview

Don't just bathe at Gero Onsen, one of Japan's top three hot-spring towns — learn about its commitment to sustainability! On this walking tour, you'll visit a museum about onsen, see a huge tank that supplies hot-spring water, and try local sweets.

Highlights

Key Information

Description

Gifu Prefecture's Gero Onsen is one of Japan's best and most famous hot-spring towns. In the Edo period (1603–1867), it was considered one of Japan's top three onsen towns; to this day, it still frequently comes up in modern-day rankings of Japan's onsen towns. The silky-smooth waters here are said to have rejuvenating and beautifying properties, so they're great for the skin. When in Gero, don't just soak in the town's many baths — take this guided walking tour to learn all about Gero Onsen's history, culture, efforts to reduce environmental impact, and commitment to sustainability! This tour is available all year round, with two start times: 13:30 and 14:30. It lasts for about 1 hour and 40 minutes, and roughly follows this itinerary: 13:30 / 14:30 — Meet your guide at Gero Station 13:40 / 14:40 — Orientation 13:50 / 14:50 — Head for a large tank that pumps hot-spring water and distributes it to the town's bathing facilities 14:00 / 15:00 — Reach the tank; listen to an explanation on Gero Onsen's centralized system for managing its supply of hot-spring water. The town is careful to preserve its supply for future generations, and to prevent its hot-spring water from running out. Also, try a hand bath 15:10 / 16:10 — Walk around town, sampling local sweets along the way. You can also briefly try the foot baths, if time permits. Finally, arrive at Gerohatsu Onsen Museum, where the tour ends. This tour package includes admission to the museum, so feel free to browse this museum, which focuses on the history of hot-spring bathing not only in Gero, but also around Japan