[Winter 2026] Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura Winter Light-up Event

• Table of Contents
• What is Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura?
• How to enjoy the light-up event
• Access to Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura
• Light-up event details

What is Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura?

Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura is an outdoor museum located in a corner of Gero Onsen town, consisting of 10 gassho-style houses. Here you can not only see the buildings, but also have a variety of experiences that allow you to come into contact with traditional Japanese culture.

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

[Winter 2026] A limited-time light-up event will be held!

Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura usually closes at 5pm. However, during the winter limited-time event, it opens in the evenings, allowing you to enjoy the fantastical lighting up of the Gassho- style houses!

Illuminated Gassho-style houses *Photo provided by Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

This event has been held for several years to coincide with the Chinese New Year, and many visitors come every year. Due to its popularity, we have decided to hold it again in the winter of 2026!

In 2026, the event will be held for a total of 10 days: January 26th (Mon) and 28th (Wed), February 2nd (Mon), 4th (Wed), 9th (Mon), 11th (Wed), 16th (Mon), 17th (Tue), 18th (Wed), and 19th (Thu). We hope you will come and visit us!

How to enjoy the light-up event

Not only can you enjoy the fantastical illumination of the Gassho-style houses, but you can also enjoy traditional performing arts and light meals!

Special lecture on "Geisha and Maiko Dance" or "Ryujin Taiko"

Special lectures on the traditional performing arts of Gero Onsen, "Geisha and Maiko Dance" and "Ryujin Taiko" will be held on a daily basis.

■ Geisha and Maiko Dance

"Dance of Geiko and Maiko" *Image provided by Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

Gero Onsen has long been home to professional geisha and maiko, entertaining guests and livening up the atmosphere. Come enjoy the glamorous performances of geisha and maiko!

■Ryujin Taiko

"Dragon God Taiko" *Image provided by Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

Enjoy a powerful performance of traditional Japanese drumming, a representative Japanese instrument, with a traditional Japanese drumming group performing at the Ryujin Fire Festival, a summer tradition in Gero Onsen.

Performance image *Image provided by Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

■Details of the "Geisha and Maiko Dance" and "Ryujin Taiko" performances

[Time] 1st session from 19:00, 2nd session from 20:00

[Location] Shirasagiza in Gero Onsen Gassho Village

A fire in the hearth at the Former Otodo Residence, a nationally designated important cultural property

Fire in the hearth *Photo provided by Gero Onsen Tourism Association

The Former Oto Family Residence, a Gassho-style house that represents Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura, is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. We will be holding a fire pit at the hearth inside the Former Oto Family Residence.

An irori is a heating and cooking facility found in traditional Japanese homes, and is a symbol of traditional Japanese lifestyle and culture. A square hole is dug in the floor and charcoal or firewood is burned inside to create a fire. It was primarily used in cold regions, where families and villagers gathered around it to keep warm, eat meals, and enjoy tea. Cooking fish, meat, simmered dishes, etc. over the irori adds a unique flavor to the food.

Light snacks for sale

During the event, the shops and teahouses in Gassho Village will be open, and you can purchase Hida specialties such as mitarashi dango, gohei mochi, and local sake.

(Left) Mitarashi dango, (Right) Gohei mochi *Images provided by Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

Access to Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura, where the light-up event will be held, is about a five-minute drive from JR Gero Station. First, we will introduce how to get to Gero Station.

From Tokyo, Osaka, or Nagoya to Gero Station

Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station or Osaka Station to Nagoya Station. At Nagoya Station, transfer to the JR Tokaido Main Line or Takayama Line and get off at Gero Station. From Nagoya Station to Gero Station, it takes about 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours by express train.

From Kanazawa to Gero Station

Take the Shinkansen from Kanazawa Station to Toyama Station. At Toyama Station, transfer to the JR Takayama and get off at Gero Station. The journey from Toyama Station to Gero Station takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes by express train.

Limited time only! Free shuttle bus available between Gero Onsen Town and Gassho Village

A free shuttle bus will run between Gassho Village and some hotels and tourist spots only on the day of the light-up event. Please make use of it!

Free shuttle bus (image) *Image provided by Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

[Route 1]

●Going① 18:05 Hotel KUSAKABE ArmeriA → 18:15 Suimeikan → 18:20 Shirasagi Bridge → 18:25 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

●Go ② 18:50 Hotel KUSAKABE ArmeriA → 19:00 Suimeikan → 19:05 Shirasagi Bridge → 19:10 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

●Going ③ 20:05 Hotel KUSAKABE ArmeriA → 20:15 Suimeikan → 20:20 Shirasagi Bridge → 20:25 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

●Return ① 19:35 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura → 19:40 Shirasagi Bridge → 19:45 Suimeikan → 19:55 Hotel KUSAKABE ArmeriA

●Return ② 20:35 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura → 20:40 Shirasagi Bridge → 20:45 Suimeikan → 20:55 Hotel KUSAKABE ArmeriA

●Return ③ 21:15 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura → 21:20 Shirasagi Bridge → 21:25 Suimeikan → 21:35 Hotel KUSAKABE ArmeriA

[Route 2]

●Going① 18:10 BOSENKAN → 18:13 Yamagataya → 18:20 Gero Onsen Museum → 18:25 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

●Go ② 18:50 BOSENKAN → 18:53 Yamagataya → 19:00 Gero Onsen Museum → 19:05 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

●Going ③ 19:50 BOSENKAN → 19:53 Yamagataya → 20:00 Gero Onsen Museum → 20:05 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

●Return ① 19:25 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura → 19:30 Gero Onsen Museum → 19:37 Yamagataya → 19:40 BOSENKAN

●Return ② 20:25 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura → 20:30 Gero Onsen Museum → 20:37 Yamagataya → 20:40 BOSENKAN

●Return ③ 21:10 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura → 21:15 Gero Onsen Museum → 21:22 Yamagataya → 21:25 BOSENKAN

●Return ④ 21:45 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura → 21:50 Gero Onsen Museum → 21:57 Yamagataya → 22:00 BOSENKAN

[Route 3]

●Going① 17:45 BREEZBAY HOTEL & RESORT GERO → 17:55 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

●Going ② 18:15 Hotel de Marronnier → 18:20 Gero Tourist Hotel → 18:30 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

●Going ③ 19:45 BREEZBAY HOTEL & RESORT GERO → 19:55 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

●Return ① 19:25 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura → 19:35 BREEZBAY HOTEL & RESORT GERO

●Return ② 20:05 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura → 20:15 Gero Tourist Hotel → 20:20 Hotel de Marronnier

●Return ③ 20:35 Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura → 20:45 BREEZBAY HOTEL & RESORT GERO

Light-up event details

[Dates] January 26th (Mon) and 28th (Wed), February 2nd (Mon), 4th (Wed), 9th (Mon), 11th (Wed), 16th (Mon), 17th (Tue), 18th (Wed), and 19th (Thu), 2026 (10 days in total)

[Event Hours] 18:00-21:00 (last entrance 20:30)

[Location] Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura Gassho Village Area (Address: 2369 Mori , Gero City, Gifu Prefecture )

[Shuttle bus] Free shuttle bus operates from some hotels and tourist spots to Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura

[Admission Fee] Same-day tickets: Adults 500 yen / Children 250 yen Advance tickets: Adults 400 yen / Children 200 yen (Various group discounts available)

[Gassho Village Official Website] https://www.gero-gassho.jp/

Illumination of the "Oto Family Residence" *Photo provided by Gero-Onsen Gassho-mura