Hida-Osaka Frozen Waterfall Trekking Near Gero Onsen
Overview
Take a private guided tour to the enchanting frozen waterfalls of Hida-Osaka in Gifu Prefecture. Trek through snow-covered forests and discover a mysterious world at 1,800 meters with your professional, multilingual guide.
Highlights
- Explore a hidden gem of Japan that’s worlds away from the standard tourist destinations
- Enter a quiet silvery world of magnificent natural ice sculptures
- Enjoy a small-group private tour with your own pro guide every step of the way
- Take advantage of local expertise to find the best frozen waterfalls on any given day
- Soak in a hidden mountain onsen after the tour
Key Information
Important Information
• COVID-19 prevention measures are in place, such as social distancing, disinfection of equipment and facilities, hand sanitizing, and mask-wearing by guides when speaking. Traveling in your own vehicle is recommended for COVID-19 prevention. • If you are coming by car, it must be equipped with snow tires. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. Please make sure that you are used to driving on snowy and icy roads. • If you are coming by public transport, we will pick you up at JR Hida-Osaka Station, or the Osaka-cho bus stop on the Nohi Bus Gero-Takayama Line. After pick-up, followed by registration and equipment checks at the Hida-Osaka Visitor Center, we will take you to the trailhead by car. Droplet-proof sheets will be placed between the driver and passengers, and we will stop every 30 minutes to ventilate the vehicle en route to the trailhead. • If we have to cancel the tour due to weather or other conditions, we will inform you by 17:00 the day before to refund or reschedule.
- Participants should be aged 10–60 for the beginners’ course or 13–60 for the intermediate course
- This tour requires at least 2 participants; solo travelers may book by paying the 2-person price You must contact us in advance if any of the following apply to members of your group:
- History of infection with COVID-19 or close contact with an infected person
- Health conditions considered high risk for COVID-19, such as asthma or cardiovascular disease
- Body temperature of 37.5ºC or higher
- Cold-like symptoms, or symptoms resembling COVID-19
- Symptoms of back pain or hernia
- Height of 140 cm or less
- Height of 190 cm or more
- Weight of 90kg or more
- Foot size 30 cm or larger
- Age 61 or older
- Children participating without a parent or guardian
Booking
Description
This experience is available from January to March. Tours last for about 7.5–8.5 hours and follow these rough itineraries:
[Beginners’ Course]
08:30 (by car) — Meet at the Hida-Osaka Visitor Centre for registration and to check your equipment
08:30 (by public transport) — Pick-up from the train station or bus stop, transfer to the Hida-Osaka Visitor Centre for registration and to check your equipment
09:00 — Set out from the visitor center and take the snowy mountain road to the trailhead at Nigorigo
10:30 — Start your Hida-Osaka snow trek
11:15 — Arrive at the frozen waterfall of Sennindaki; after marveling at its wonder take a lunch break in the winter wonderland
12:30 — Depart Sennindaki at a comfortable pace, and enjoy fun in the snow on the way back to the trailhead
13:30 — Arrive back at the trailhead, then take a break at the hot-spring baths of Nigorigo Onsen
15:00 — Get back in your transport and return to Hida-Osaka Visitor Center
16:00 — Arrive back at the Hida-Osaka Visitor Center, where the tour concludes
[Intermediate Course]
08:00 (by car) — Meet at the Hida-Osaka Visitor Centre for registration and to check your equipment
08:00 (by public transport) — Pick-up from the train station or bus stop, transfer to the Hida-Osaka Visitor Centre for registration and to check your equipment
08:30 — Set out from the visitor center and take the snowy mountain road to the trailhead at Nigorigo
10:00 — Start your Hida-Osaka snow trek
11:45 — Arrive at the frozen waterfalls (we will select the best spot depending on the conditions on the day); after marveling at its wonder take a lunch break in the winter wonderland
13:00 — Head back from the frozen waterfalls to the trailhead
14:15 — Arrive back at the trailhead, then take a break at the hot-spring baths of Nigorigo Onsen
15:00 — Get back in your transport and return to Hida-Osaka Visitor Center
16:30 — Arrive back at the Hida-Osaka Visitor Center, where the tour concludes
