Latest information for 2025! A hot spring resort just an hour and a half from Nagoya! 9 autumn foliage spots in Gero City!
Gero Onsen is a famous hot spring located an hour and a half from Nagoya Station. In the nature-rich area, you can enjoy the changing faces of the seasons. We will introduce 9 autumn foliage spots near Gero Onsen, which is also known as a "beauty bath" due to its high-quality spring water.
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[Suimeikan] was established in 1933 as a hot spring inn in [Gero Onsen], one of Japan's top three hot springs. We offer heartfelt hospitality to soothe your daily fatigue. You can enjoy Gero Onsen, which is famous for its skin-beautifying effects, in three large public baths with different tastes. Please enjoy the large observation bath overlooking the hot spring town of Gero and the mountains of Hida, the large bath with a sauna with the scent of cypress, and the open-air bath with an indoor bath as if you were touring the hot springs. As a museum that values Japanese culture, we also have a Japanese garden, an authentic Noh stage, a tea room, and other works of art by famous artists on display. We also have a pool, athletic gym, beauty salon, and bar. For dinner, you can choose from three types: Japanese Kaiseki, French, and Chinese. There is also a plan where you can enjoy Hida's specialty "Hida beef". In addition to staying in Japanese-style rooms where you can feel the Japanese tradition, we also have rooms with beds. Guests visiting from other countries can also feel safe and relaxed. Please spend a blissful time with the heartfelt hospitality of the long-established Japanese inn [Suimeikan].
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Table of Contents
- 1. [10 minutes walk from Gero Station] Seseragi Path
- 2. [15 minutes walk from Gero Station] Onsenji Temple
- 3. [20 minutes walk from Gero Station] Ujo Park
- 4. [10 minutes by bus from Gero Station] Gassho Village
- 5. [15 minutes by car from Gero Station] Nakayama Shichiri
- 6. [40 minutes by car from Gero Station] Iwaya Dam
- 7. [30 minutes by car from Gero Station] Gyokuryu-ji Temple
- 8. [40 minutes by car from Gero Station] Gandate Pass and Gandate Park
- 9. [60 minutes by car from Hida-Osaka Station] Ontake Panorama Line
- When sightseeing in Gero, visit the long-established inn Suimeikan
1. [10 minutes walk from Gero Station] Seseragi Path
The Seseragi Path is a walking path along the Atano Valley that runs through the center of Gero Onsen town. A stroll along the path, listening to the murmuring of the river and admiring the autumn leaves, will provide a soothing experience.
Address: Yunoshima, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture
Access: 10 minutes walk from JR Gero Station
2. [15 minutes walk from Gero Station] Onsenji Temple
Onsenji Temple, one of the tourist attractions in Gero Onsen, is lit up at night every year during the best viewing season. The beautifully illuminated maples and the temple grounds are a spectacular sight. You can enjoy a different charm from the autumn leaves during the day.
The 2025 illuminations are scheduled to run from Wednesday, November 12th to Monday, November 24th.
Onsenji Temple is a recommended spot where you can enjoy the different faces of the four seasons.
Address: 680 Yunoshima, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture
Opening hours: Free to visit until sunset *When lit up, the temple is open until 9pm
Access: 15 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by car from JR Gero Station (parking available)
The article below provides more detailed information about Onsenji Temple.
Iō Reizan Onsenji Temple
680 Yunoshima, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture 509-2207
Iō Reizan Onsenji Temple was founded in 1671 on the slopes of Mt. Nakane, also known as “Gero Fuji.”
The temple enshrines Yakushi Nyorai, the Medicine Buddha, who appears in the local legend of the white heron that revealed the hot springs of Gero.
Onsenji preserves important cultural artifacts such as the "Yubun", which recounts the origins of Gero Onsen, and Enkū Buddha statues carved by the wandering monk Enkū during the Edo period.
At the base of the temple gate lies the Grave of Kyūbei Hidaya, a Hida Province historical figure, designated as a cultural property by Gifu Prefecture.
Hotels near Iō Reizan Onsenji Temple
3. [20 minutes walk from Gero Station] Ujo Park
Just past Gero Onsen town, Ujo Park is a popular spot for viewing autumn leaves among locals. Many autumn leaves adorn the banks of the clear stream that runs through the center of the park. You can enjoy the autumn leaves while taking a leisurely stroll.
Address: Mori, Gero City
Access: 20 minutes walk from Gero Station
Yu-no-Machi Ujō Park
2707 mori, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture 509-2207
Yu-no-Machi Ujō Park is located close to the hot spring town and stretches along the upper stream of the Atano Valley.
The clear Atano River, flowing from the heart of Gero’s mountains, runs through the center of the park. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk while listening to the murmuring stream or play in the water during the summer.
The park is named after the “Gero Kouta,” a local folk song written by lyricist Ujō Noguchi when he visited Gero in the early Showa era.
In spring, the park is adorned with beautiful weeping cherry blossoms, and in autumn, visitors can enjoy the colorful foliage.
Hotels near Yu-no-Machi Ujō Park
4. [10 minutes by bus from Gero Station] Gassho Village
Gero Onsen Gassho Village is a museum where you can see Gassho-style houses that have been relocated from places such as the World Heritage Site Shirakawa-go. One of the attractions of Gero is that you can enjoy the scenery of each season, thanks to its rich nature. The colorful maples and Gassho-style houses in autumn will make you feel nostalgic.
This spot for viewing autumn leaves has been selected as one of the 33 best autumn foliage spots in Hida and Mino.
Address: 2369 Mori, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture
Business hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm
Access: From Gero Station, take the Nohi Bus Center Gasshomura Line bound for Gasshomura-Gero Community Center (approx. 6 minutes) and get off at Gasshomura
5 minutes by car from Gero Station
This article introduces Gassho Village.
![[2025 Edition] Enjoy the original scenery of Japan! A comprehensive guide to Gero Onsen Gassho Village](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/200x2000/2024/12/21-216486.webp)
Gero Onsen Gassho Village
2369 Mori, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture 509-2202
Gero Onsen Gassho Village is a recreated traditional village featuring 10 gassho-style houses relocated from places such as Shirakawa-go. The site offers a glimpse into Japan's nostalgic countryside and showcases the traditional lifestyle and seasonal beauty of the Hida region.
You can also enjoy hands-on activities such as:
・Washi paper painting
・Pottery painting
・Ceramic crafting experience
Hotels near Gero Onsen Gassho Village
5. [15 minutes by car from Gero Station] Nakayama Shichiri
The valley is known as a scenic spot rich in seasonal scenery, and is designated as part of the Hida-Kisogawa Quasi-National Park. From the window of your car or train, you can enjoy the magnificent natural beauty of the colorful trees and the strangely shaped rocks and bizarre stones formed by the erosion of the Hida River.
This spot for viewing autumn leaves has been selected as one of the 33 best autumn foliage spots in Hida and Mino.
Address: Mihara to Kanayamacho, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture
Access: 15 minutes by car from Gero Station
6. [40 minutes by car from Gero Station] Iwaya Dam
Iwaya Dam is one of the most beautiful rock-fill dams in Japan. The fresh greenery of the lake and the red and yellow trees are reflected on the water, creating a picturesque view.
This spot for viewing autumn leaves has been selected as one of the 33 best autumn foliage spots in Hida and Mino.
Address: Uenohara, Kanayama-cho, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture
Access: 40 minutes by car from Gero Station
Iwaya Dam
Uenohara, Kanayama-cho, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture 509-1602
Iwaya Dam is a multipurpose rock-fill dam renowned as one of Japan’s most beautiful. In autumn, the surrounding autumn leaves are reflected on the water’s surface, creating a stunning scenery. It is also selected as one of the “33 Best Autumn Foliage Spots in Hida and Mino.” The walking paths and cycling routes along the shores of Kanayama Lake offer picturesque views throughout the seasons.
7. [30 minutes by car from Gero Station] Gyokuryu-ji Temple
Gyokuryu-ji Temple is also known locally as the "Maple Temple" due to the beauty of its maples. Over 100 maples of five different kinds paint the temple grounds a deep red. Not only the maples, but the ginkgo trees are also beautiful, and you can enjoy the contrast of red, yellow, and green.
Address: 1545 Nakakiri, Kanayama-cho, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture
Business hours: 9:00-16:00
Access: 30 minutes on foot from JR Hida-Kanayama Station
30 minutes by car from Gero Station (parking available)
Gyokuryu-ji Temple
1545 Nakakiri Kanayama, Kanayama-cho, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture, 509-...
Gyokuryu-ji Temple was restored in the early Edo period by Nagachika Kanamori, the lord of the Hida Province at the time. Stone monuments of the Kanamori family remain on the temple grounds. In autumn, the maple leaves turn a vivid red, earning it the nickname "Momiji Temple" (Temple of Maples). There’s even a rock said to resemble a gorilla’s face—see if you can find it during your visit!
8. [40 minutes by car from Gero Station] Gandate Pass and Gandate Park
The area around Gentate, a cliff formed from lava from Mt. Ontake, is enveloped in autumn leaves. This is a spot where you can experience the magnificent beauty of nature.
Gantate Park, where the Gentate Pass is located, is in Kosaka Town, Gero City, which has more than 200 waterfalls. A five-minute walk from Gantate Park along the promenade leads to Mitsutaki, a famous waterfall spot. In autumn, the promenade turns red and yellow.
This spot for viewing autumn leaves has been selected as one of the 33 best autumn foliage spots in Hida and Mino.
Address: 2360 Ochiai, Kosaka-cho, Gero-shi, Gifu Prefecture
Access: 40 minutes by car from Gero Station
Gandate Gorge
509-3111 Ochiai, Kosaka-cho, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture
This is a cross section of Japan's largest lava flow, formed by lava 54,000 years ago. Similar rock walls continue for 17 kilometers upstream.
9. [60 minutes by car from Hida-Osaka Station] Ontake Panorama Line
If you are going sightseeing by car, we recommend the "Ontake Panorama Line" where you can enjoy a drive while looking at Mt. Ontake. In autumn, it is a spot where you can enjoy the autumn leaves along with the colorful mountains. You can enjoy the clear air and untouched nature.
This spot for viewing autumn leaves has been selected as one of the 33 best autumn foliage spots in Hida and Mino.
Address: Ochiai, Kosaka-cho, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture
Access: 60 minutes by car from JR Hida-Osaka Station
When sightseeing in Gero, visit the long-established inn Suimeikan
The long-established inn "Suimeikan" is just a 3-minute walk from Gero Station and a 5-minute walk from the hot spring town, making it extremely convenient for sightseeing in Gero. The quality of the hot spring water that can be enjoyed at the inn is particularly high among the hot springs in Gero, and it has many repeat customers from both within Japan and overseas.
You can soothe your travel fatigue with our gourmet food made using seasonal ingredients from Hida and our hot springs.
We offer hospitality throughout the hotel that will allow you to experience Japanese culture. The Japanese garden changes with the seasons, and you can enjoy a relaxing time watching the carp swimming leisurely among the autumn leaves.
For more information about Gero Onsen Suimeikan, please see this article.
![[Gero Onsen Suimeikan] Just an hour and a half from Nagoya! Enjoy the famous hot springs and delicious Hida cuisine at this long-established inn!](https://resources.matcha-jp.com/resize/200x2000/2024/01/31-164647.webp)
[Suimeikan] was established in 1933 as a hot spring inn in [Gero Onsen], one of Japan's top three hot springs. We offer heartfelt hospitality to soothe your daily fatigue. You can enjoy Gero Onsen, which is famous for its skin-beautifying effects, in three large public baths with different tastes. Please enjoy the large observation bath overlooking the hot spring town of Gero and the mountains of Hida, the large bath with a sauna with the scent of cypress, and the open-air bath with an indoor bath as if you were touring the hot springs. As a museum that values Japanese culture, we also have a Japanese garden, an authentic Noh stage, a tea room, and other works of art by famous artists on display. We also have a pool, athletic gym, beauty salon, and bar. For dinner, you can choose from three types: Japanese Kaiseki, French, and Chinese. There is also a plan where you can enjoy Hida's specialty "Hida beef". In addition to staying in Japanese-style rooms where you can feel the Japanese tradition, we also have rooms with beds. Guests visiting from other countries can also feel safe and relaxed. Please spend a blissful time with the heartfelt hospitality of the long-established Japanese inn [Suimeikan].
The contents on this page may partially contain automatic translation.
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