Gifu · Gerō Onsen
Shirasagi-no-Yu
白鷺の湯
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.
- Price (adult)
- ¥470
- Hours
- 10:00–20:45(last entry 20:00)
- Closed
- Wed (Fri if Wed is a holiday)
- Access
- 10 min walk from JR Gero Station
- Water type
- Alkaline simple
- Tattoos
- Not allowed
- Spring type
- Alkaline simple spring (hypotonic, alkaline, high-temperature). Source 55.6°C, pH 9.1, about 374 mg/kg dissolved solids. Gero uses a centralised supply, so every inn, public bath and foot bath receives the same water
- Baths & facilities
- One indoor cypress-wood tub per side, nothing else — no open-air bath or sauna. No soap or shampoo provided (sold on site). Shoe lockers and lockers free. Rest area inside; free 'Venus foot bath' at the entrance
- Combo tickets
- Combined tickets with Kur Garden open-air bath and the Gero Onsen Museum save up to about ¥370. The ¥1,500 'Yumeguri Tegata' (3 baths) is accepted, but at ¥470 Shirasagi is cheap enough that the pass is better spent on ryokan baths
- Phone
- 0576-25-2462
- Official site
- www.gero-spa.or.jp ↗
- 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
- Silky pH-9 'beauty bath'
- Just ¥470
- Pair with the yumeguri pass
History & building
Founded in 1926, this is the oldest public bath in Gero. The white Romanesque-style building with its row of columns and arches stands on Shirasagi-zaka in the heart of the town and is its architectural symbol. Outside are a stone monument marking Gero as one of 'Japan's Three Great Springs' and the 'Venus foot bath' with a copy of the Venus de Milo — the classic photo spot. The name comes from the founding legend in which Yakushi Nyorai took the form of a white heron (shirasagi) to show villagers the source. Old photographs of Gero line the corridor, and because the building steps down the slope you descend stairs to reach the baths. Gero was ranked with Arima and Kusatsu by the Edo scholar Hayashi Razan, and here you can try its water for just ¥470.
The water and how to enjoy it
- At pH 9.1 the water is strongly alkaline and feels slippery on the skin the moment you get in — locals call it 'lotion water'. It is clear and almost odourless, leaving skin fresh yet moist.
- There is a single cypress tub kept fairly hot (42–43°C), so several short dips beat one long soak.
- No soap or shampoo at the washing stations — bring your own or buy at the desk. Bring a towel too.
- Cash-only ticket machine. Lockers need no coins, so the entry fee is your only cost.
- Allow 30–40 minutes. Seven minutes from the station, it fits neatly into a stroll or a wait between trains.
- Locals and tourists overlap 5–7 pm, the busiest period. Right after opening at 10 am or just before closing around 8 pm is quiet.
Access and surroundings
About 7 minutes on foot from Gero Station (JR Takayama Line): cross the Gero Ōhashi bridge over the Hida River and follow the main street until the white building appears. From Nagoya the Limited Express Hida takes about 1 h 40 min; from Takayama about 45 min. Only 7 parking spaces, so use a nearby coin car park (around ¥200 per 20 min) or the municipal lot. Within walking distance are several free foot baths, the swimsuit-only Funsenchi pool at the foot of the bridge, Onsen-ji temple up the hill (famous for autumn colour), and next door the Kur Garden open-air bath and the Gero Onsen Museum.
Before you go
- Tattoos are explicitly not allowed, even if covered.
- Payment is usually by ticket machine in cash — bring coins.
- Last entry is 30–60 minutes before closing.
Features
Baths
Price
Convenience
Only here
Mood & scenery
✔ Verified operating: 2026-09 下呂市・現地券売機情報 (大人470円/小人180円, 10:00–20:45 受付20:00, 水曜休)
Prices and hours change. Check official sources before visiting.
More in this area
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.
Sachi-no-yu
A bathhouse-style onsen behind Gero Station with seven baths — waterfall, open-air, jets, sauna — for less than half a ryokan's day-use fee. Bring soap or buy it from the vending machine.