Gifu · Gerō Onsen
Gero Onsen Funsenchi
下呂温泉 噴泉地（ふんせんち）
A free spring-water spot on the bed of the Hida River, the symbol of Gero Onsen - one of Japan's three great onsen. Gero's source water flows free into an open rock basin with no enclosure at all; once loved as a mixed open-air bath in swimwear, bathing has been prohibited since December 1, 2021, and it is now a foot-bath-only spot. Dipping your feet in the pH ~9.2 alkaline simple spring - the famous beauty-skin water - while the river murmurs beside you is a Gero-only experience. Just a 3-minute walk from JR Gero Station and usable around the clock (briefly closed for cleaning around 7:00-8:00; unavailable when the river runs high). For a full bath, head to nearby Shirasagi-no-Yu (370 yen), the Qua Garden open-air baths, or a ryokan covered by the bath-hopping booklet. A perfect starting point for strolling the onsen town.
- Price (adult)
- Donation / free
- Hours
- 24 hours
- Closed
- Temporarily closed when the river runs high
- Access
- Koda, Gero, Gifu (postal code 509-2206), on the Hida riverbed near Gero Bridge. About 3 minutes on foot from Gero Station on the JR Takayama Main Line. By car, use the city parking lots (100 yen/20 min, max 1,500 yen/24h).
- Water type
- Alkaline simple
- Tattoos
- Ask ahead
- Phone
- 0576-24-2222
- Open in Google Maps
- Google Maps ↗
Essentials
Stay in this onsen town
Compare and book stays in Gerō Onsen. Day bathing itself needs no booking.
Opens partner booking site (affiliate)
Why go
- Gero's symbol - a free spring spot on the Hida riverbed; foot bath only since Dec 2021 (bathing prohibited)
- Alkaline beauty-skin water at pH ~9.2 beside the murmuring river; 3 minutes from JR Gero Station
- Open 24h (paused for cleaning 7:00-8:00, closed in high water); for bathing try Shirasagi-no-Yu at 370 yen nearby
Before you go
- No official tattoo policy is published — ask at reception.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Mood & scenery
Convenience
Who with
Amenities
✔ Verified operating: 2026-10 Operating status and rates cross-checked against the official site and onsen guides (full source notes in Japanese on the JA page)
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
More in this area
Shirasagi-no-Yu
A public bath in the heart of Gero, one of Japan's three famous springs. The alkaline simple spring (pH over 9) leaves skin silky — the classic 'beauty bath' — for just ¥470. Indoor pool only, popular with locals. Combine it with the ¥1,500 'yumeguri' pass that admits you to three ryokan baths. 10 minutes on foot from Gero Station.
Hirayu-no-Mori
The largest day-use facility in Okuhida. Sixteen open-air pools (7 men's, 9 women's) scattered through the forest, all fed directly from the source. Hida beef restaurant on site. The classic stop after Kamikochi or Shin-Hotaka.
Kur Garden Open-air Bath
A public bath that is entirely open-air, on the Hida River. No indoor pool — six outdoor tubs including a waterfall shower, box steam and pot baths. Gero's silky pH 8.9 water with a river breeze.
