Gero also has a sightseeing spot with ten Gassho-zukuri (old style thatched roof) houses that were moved here from Shirakawa Village and reassembled, due to the construction of a dam. One of them, the former house of the Odos, is registered as an important national tangible cultural asset. (Miboro Dam is the name of this dam, completed in 1961. Due to this construction, portions of Shirakawa and Shokawa villages with 230 houses would become submerged. This area was known for Gassho-zukuri houses, traditional buildings with thatched roofs constructed in Japanese farming villages. A movement was organized to preserve the houses that would become submerged, and it gained momentum over time. As a result, the houses were disassembled, moved to other regions in Japan, and reassembled.)
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Saijiki-no-Mori (Saijiki Forest)
In the summer of 2010, a new site opened in Gero Onsen Gassho Mura (Gero Gassho Village).
A scene from the Japanese countryside that reminds Japanese visitors of an old traditional house in a rustic setting, surrounded by cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall. This Japanese countryside is recreated in this site. |
Banko-An |
The old traditional house built in the Saijiki-no-Mori is called Banko-An. The building is unique to this area and its name suggests the wish for lasting peace. In it, you can enjoy the Japanese nostalgia for the countryside. |
Gassho-no-Sato
The former house of the Odos |
| According to records written on the building note, it required thirteen years to complete this Gassho-zukuri house, from 1833 to 1846. Not a single nail or spike was used. Instead, ropes and neso (a variety of dogwood tree with flexible fibers, ideal for wood manufacturing) were used to tie and fasten the timbers, a construction characteristic of this kind of house. This particular building belongs to the largest class of Gassho-zukuri houses. |
Shadow Play Theater Shirasagi-za |
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Local legends and folk stories of Gero City and Gero Onsen are performed by shadow plays in this performing arts Theater. Sensitive designs and the soft, delicate touches of color attract and please audiences. |
【Shirasagi-Za externals】 |
【Shadowgraph】 |
【Shadowgraph】 |
Gassho-no-Ashiyu (Gassho Foot Tub) |
| Located in front of the former house of the Odos, fatigued legs and feet can be reinvigorated here after walking in the village. |
Mingei-no-Sato
Hida Tobo (Home of Traditional Folk Crafts) |
| Visitors can experience painting pictures on unglazed teacups, vases, and coffee cups, creating your own original, handmade ceramic ware. |
Suki Kura (Handmade Paper Workshop) |
| Visitors can experience making traditional Japanese handmade paper. The whole procedure takes about an hour, and your handmade paper will be a memorable souvenir. |
Ichi Kura |
| At this site, local specialties of the Hida region are sold. Jimiso (locally-made, special miso bean paste) and pickles are available. Visitors can also enjoy barbecued amago fish, amazake (a partially fermented soft drink made from rice), and konnyaku sashimi (made from konnyaku potatoes, a specialty of this region). |
| Fee |
Adults 800yen
elementary and junior high school students 400 yen |
| Open |
8：15-17：00 |
| Closed |
ZIP code: 509-2202
Gifu Prefecture, Gero City, Mori2369 |
| Location |
"Gassho-Mura" getting off of the grove taking
from JR Takayama main line Gero Station to the Cot bus birthplace for
7 minutes. |
| Telephone |
0576-25-2239 |
| Map |
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Onsen museum
In this museum, materials related to hot springs are exhibited. Two old earthen storehouses with white walls are now used as a museum where historical materials related to hot springs all over Japan are displayed, including those at Gero, as well as maps and other information. What causes hot springs to gush, and the nature of springs, is also explained with panels. |
| Fee |
Adults 400yen, Children 200yen |
| Open |
9：00-17：00 |
| Closed |
Thursdays |
| Location |
ZIP code: 509-2207
Gifu Prefecture, Gero City, Yunoshima 543-2 |
| Telephone |
0576-25-3400 |
| Map |
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Spa Town Gallery "Kodama"
The works of a woodcut print artist, Tadashirou Fukui (who resides in Gero City), are exhibited. These woodprints are created by pressing each paper onto more than ten carved wooden panels, and the finished pictures delicately reveal the beauty of nature.
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| Fee |
Free |
| Open |
9：00-21：00 |
| Closed |
End of year and New Year's holidays |
| Location |
ZIP code: 509-2207
Gifu Prefecture, Gero City, Yunoshima 837-2 |
| Telephone |
0576-25-7655 |
| Map |
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Spa Town Gallery "Sanpo Michi"
About 700 artworks from the Gero Onsen Picture & Letter Contest are exhibited. Under the guidance of a teacher, visitors can experience making picture letters and pressed flowers (Saturdays and Sundays). You can also enjoy making picture letters freely.
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| Fee |
Free |
| Open |
9：00-21：00 |
| Closed |
End of year and New Year's holidays |
| Location |
ZIP code: 509-2207
Gifu Prefecture, Gero City, Yunoshima 554-1 |
| Telephone |
0576-25-6611 |
| Map |
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