9 Onsen in Gifu worth your time

A historic hot spring resort in Gifu offering diverse mineral waters and serving as a gateway to the Japanese Alps.

What it is

• A historic hot spring resort designated as a National Health Resort in 1964.
• Legend says a white monkey revealed the springs during the Sengoku period.
• The site produces approximately 13,000 liters of mineral water per minute.
• A major transfer point for travelers visiting Kamikochi and Mount Norikura.

What to see

• Four public bathhouses featuring hydrogen carbonate, chloride, and sulfur springs.
• The Hirayu Folk Museum which houses city-designated cultural properties.
• Hirayu Waterfall, a notable natural landmark in the local area.
• A 9.6 kilometer hiking trail connecting the ski resort to Kikyogahara.

Getting there

• A bus terminal is located near the National Route 158 intersection.
• Long-distance buses connect the local terminal to Takayama and Matsumoto.

Official site

hirayuonsen.or.jp

Read more about Hirayu Onsen

One of Japan's three most famous hot spring resorts, offering alkaline waters and historic architecture along the Hida River.

What it is

• A historic hot spring resort designated as one of Japan's Three Famous Springs.
• The resort area is situated along the Hida River in Gifu Prefecture.
• Onsenji Temple was founded at the foot of Mount Nakane in 1671.
• The spring water is alkaline with a high source temperature of 84 degrees.

What to see

• The Yunoshima-kan building is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.
• Three public baths including Kur Garden, Shirasagi-no-Yu, and Yusun-no-Yu.
• The Funsenchi riverbed pool which became a footbath-only facility in 2021.
• Local souvenirs for sale such as Sarubobo dolls and Hoba Miso.

Getting there

• Accessible via the JR Takayama Main Line at Gero Station.
• Direct bus services operate from Nagoya Station for hotel guests.

Official site

www.gero-spa.or.jp

Read more about Gero Onsen

A riverside hot spring resort in Takayama known for its public outdoor baths and seasonal firefly viewing along the riverbank.

What it is

• A hot spring town located at the junction of the Kamata and Hirayu rivers.
• Designated as a National Health Resort in 1968 featuring simple spring water.
• The town name originates from the local Japanese horse-chestnut trees.
• The area utilizes geothermal heat for growing local vegetables and fruit.

What to see

• Kojin-no-yu is an outdoor bath located directly on the Kamata riverbank.
• Hotaru-no-yu is a public footbath available for use by visitors.
• Cherry trees are planted along the Hora Valley channel works.
• The site of a major 1979 mudslide in the Hora Valley.

When to go

• Fireflies appear near the footbath around early July.

Getting there

• The town is accessible by bus from Takayama Station.

Read more about Tochio Onsen

A high-altitude hot spring resort in the Okuhida region known for its healing waters and traditional morning market.

What it is

• A hot spring town located at an elevation of 1,000 meters in Gifu Prefecture.
• One of Japan's Top 100 Onsen and a designated National Health Resort since 1968.
• A historic retreat where Emperor Murakami allegedly visited during the Heian period.
• Part of the Okuhida Onsen Village featuring simple and hydrogen carbonate springs.

What to see

• A local morning market held daily within the hot spring town.
• The Yadoriyu bathhouse available for guests staying overnight in the area.
• The Okuhida Bear Park located in close proximity to the hot spring town.
• Performances of a local lion dance designated as an intangible folk cultural property.

Getting there

• Buses from Takayama Station reach the hot spring area in 70 minutes.

Official site

www.fukujionsen.com

Read more about Fukuji Onsen

A scenic hot spring resort in the Northern Alps offering therapeutic waters and a base for high-altitude mountain climbing.

What it is

• A hot spring area in the Okuhida Onsen Village designated as a National Health Resort.
• A base for climbers heading into the Northern Alps mountain range.
• A collection of three districts including Shinhotaka, Gamada, and Nakao.
• The setting for the famous Japanese novel Ice Wall by Yasushi Inoue.

What to see

• The Shinhotaka Ropeway station located within the Shinhotaka district.
• A public open-air bath known as Shinhotaka-no-yu.
• The Ashiarai-no-yu footbath located in the Nakao district.
• Natural springs containing simple thermal, bicarbonate, and chloride waters.

Getting there

• Buses from Takayama Station reach the hot spring area in ninety minutes.
• Prefectural Road 475 connects the area to nearby Tochio Onsen.

Official site

shinhotaka.com

Read more about Shinhotaka Onsen

A high-altitude hot spring resort at 1,800 meters, serving as a trailhead for Mount Ontake with mineral-rich waters.

What it is

• A hot spring resort located at the seventh station of Mount Ontake.
• Discovered during the mid-Edo period and designated as a National Health Resort.
• The site serves as the Kosaka trailhead for climbing Mount Ontake.
• The town consists of several inns and a municipal outdoor bath.

What to see

• Hot spring water containing earth-containing mirabilite and iron.
• Surrounding subalpine forest designated as a National Recreation Forest.
• High-altitude views from a resort sitting at 1,800 meters.

When to go

• The Mount Ontake mountain opening ceremony occurs on June 15.

Getting there

• Access from Hida-Kosaka Station takes approximately 80 minutes by car.

Read more about Nigorigo Onsen

A multi-zone hot spring resort near Magome-juku featuring sodium bicarbonate waters discovered during railway tunnel construction.

What it is

• A hot spring facility opened in 1995 in Nakatsugawa City.
• Built on the site where Magome Station was originally planned.
• Features sodium bicarbonate spring water discovered during railway tunnel work.
• Consists of four distinct zones including hot springs and swimming pools.

What to see

• The confluence of the Tsumeta and Nuru rivers where the site sits.
• Attached accommodation facilities at the Hotel Hana Sarasa.
• Renovated interior spaces updated during a major 2017 project.
• Proximity to the historic Magome-juku post town area.

Getting there

• A free shuttle bus operates from Nakatsugawa Station.
• Located one minute away from the Misaka Smart Interchange.

Read more about Nakatsugawa Onsen Qua Resort Yubunesawa

A riverside hot spring district at Mount Kinka known for its unique brownish iron-rich waters and traditional cormorant fishing.

What it is

• A hot spring area featuring seven hotels and inns along the Nagara River.
• The source is the Mitahora Shinbutsu Onsen which opened in 1968.
• The water is a simple carbonated iron spring with a distinct brownish color.
• The spring water originates at fifteen degrees Celsius with a high discharge rate.

What to see

• Traditional Nagaragawa Ukai cormorant fishing demonstrations on the river.
• The scenic landscape at the foot of Mount Kinka.
• Seven different riverside hotels and inns offering hot spring baths.

Getting there

• Take a bus from Gifu Station directly to the hot spring area.
• The bus journey from the station takes approximately twenty minutes.

Official site

nagaragawa.org

Read more about Nagaragawa Onsen

A public day-trip hot spring 130 meters up the Yoro Mountains offering eleven bath types and panoramic plain views.

What it is

• A public day-trip hot spring facility managed by Kaizu City.
• Opened in December 2002 after drilling for the source began in 2001.
• The name Suisho no Yu refers to crystal deposits found in the local area.

What to see

• Eleven different types of baths for visitors to experience.
• Crystal gemstones used to decorate the water outlets of the baths.
• Panoramic views of the Nobi Plain and Mount Ontake from the mountainside.
• The facility is situated 130 meters up the Yoro Mountains.

Getting there

• Accessible via Komano Station on the Yoro Line.
• A free shuttle bus runs from the parking lot every twelve minutes.

Read more about Nanno Onsen