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Gero Onsen is a well-known hot spring with a long history. It is said that the source of the spring was discovered during the Engi era (901–923) or the Tenriki era (947–957). Historically, there are records of Oda Nobunaga being very fond of "Gero Onsen," frequently visiting to soak and recuperate. During the Edo period, the Confucian scholar Hayashi Razan, who served the Tokugawa family, listed Gero Onsen alongside "Arima Onsen" in Hyogo Prefecture and "Kusatsu Onsen" in Gunma Prefecture as one of the "Three Great Hot Springs of Japan."
The water of Gero Onsen, which has been flowing for over a thousand years, is a colorless, transparent, and mildly alkaline spring. With a pH value above 9, it effectively removes old skin cells, and after soaking, the skin becomes smooth and tender, earning it the reputation of a beauty bath. It is known to be effective for improving rheumatism, motor dysfunction, neuralgia, post-illness recovery, and relieving fatigue.
It is easily accessible from JR "Gero" Station, and along the clear Hida River, the hot spring town is filled with numerous tourist attractions and many ryokans (traditional Japanese inns). The convenient transportation and healing waters attract countless tourists to this hot spring town throughout the year.
In Gero Onsen town, in addition to the free "fountain pool" that springs from the riverbed of the Hida River, there are three public baths where visitors can enjoy the outdoor bath atmosphere. Along the way, there are also nine foot baths, allowing visitors to easily experience high-quality hot springs while interacting with the locals.
In recent years, more and more shops and facilities have emerged, offering a variety of new flavors of buffets and puddings made from local ingredients, as well as various take-out desserts unique to Gero Onsen. In this retro-style hot spring town, visitors can savor beautifully shaped sweets while fully enjoying the pleasures of soaking in the hot springs and strolling through the streets.
