#gero onsen

[chibiutsubo]

#おでかけ #下呂

幸い足湯に店休日は関係ないので(一箇所だけは閉まっていましたが)、気を取り直して足湯巡りです。

下呂の温泉街に点々とあるこの足湯巡り、場所ごとに湯の温度が全然違っていて、このカエルがいる足湯(雅の足湯)は適温だったのですが、他の場所の足湯数箇所は熱すぎて足が浸けられないほどでした。多分もうちょっと寒くなれば、こちらが温すぎ、そして他のところが適温ぐらいになるんでしょうか……？

とりあえず今回は、ここの足湯がもうほんとにドンピシャの気持ち良い温度で、暫し浸かった後、一周して最後にもう一度戻ってきたほどでした。

いくつかある足湯の中でも最高にシュールな絵面の足湯、ビーナスの足湯。

足湯とヴィーナスのこのミスマッチ感よ。

ちなみにここの湯温はかなり高めで(多分巡った中でも一番熱かった)、数秒も浸けていられないほどでした。目の前に湯があるのに浸けられず、台の上で三角座りしてヴィーナスを眺める……シュール。

あと微妙な気分が味わえる場所といえば、下呂市役所の片隅にある足湯も、側を車がガンガン走り抜けるさまや、普通に日常生活を送る人々を眺めながらボケーッと足湯に浸かることができるので珍スポット的なものが好きな方にはオススメです。(珍スポットではないけれど、純粋に観光気分にもならない)

まあ普通に足湯を楽しむならば、鷺の足湯か、雅の足湯が一番落ち着けると思います。(ゆあみ屋前はちょっと暗め、さるぼぼ黄金足湯は湯温低すぎ、あとは施設への入場料が要る足湯が2箇所)

下呂に立ち寄る機会があれば、足を拭くタオルと、裾がまくり上げやすいパンツなど、足湯巡りしやすいスタイルで来るとちょっと楽しめる？かもです。

[redsamuraiii]

Yunoshimakan, Gifu Prefecture by kyoko1903

[lets-go-kyoto]

Hotel Review (Or: My Experience With the Japanese Shining)

If you follow me on my other socials, you may recall I stayed at a ryokan last week in Gero Onsen that bore far too many similarities to Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. I thought I’d write out a play-by-play for posterity. Let’s jump into it.

Similarity number one: Getting to this hotel required a long, winding ride through the mountains past many scenic gorges. Luckily, this was done by train. Please see the sample scenery image below:

Without a doubt, this was stunning. The entrance to the hotel was quite scenic, too:

But, let me tell you. Just like the Overlook Hotel, this thing absolutely SPRAWLED up and down the mountainside. Originally built in the 1930′s, this complex has a main building (which was already ungainly to begin with). But THEN, there are two additions--some sort of weird euro-style pavilion, and an annex built in the 1980′s that has not been updated since. A map (SANS-ANNEX! Look how crazy this is even without the annex!) is below:

You can also see the architecture mismatch here--original building on the right, european...thing... on the left. Footbath in the center, that was pretty neat.

So we check in. Immediately, my boyfriend, who has never been to Japan, is thrown when the front desk staff abscond with our shoes and provide slippers to wear throughout the facility, which has plush red carpet in many of the common areas, including this c.1988 coffee room just past the lobby:

Please also note that this room is in A TRADITIONAL JAPANESE building, literally the same building as is visible in this photo.

So, the staff show us to our room. It’s in the annex, which requires us to go down one sprawling hallway, take an elevator to the fourth floor, walk down ANOTHER sprawling hallway, take A DIFFERENT ELEVATOR to the ninth floor, and find our room from there. The room itself hasn’t been updated since the annex was built. It includes strange brown carpeting and furniture in the engawa, plus an open-air bath that feels very...80′s. Despite this, the view was breathtaking.

Here’s where it starts to get a little...Shining-like. The staff give us a very complicated map showing us the location of the public baths, the restaurant, the bar(?) (I had no idea the property contained dining and drinking establishments), the breakfast pavilion, the footbath, etc. Things are only open at very specific hours. At eight o’clock, I suggest to my boyfriend we go to the bar, as it’s finally open. 

On the way there, we don’t pass a single soul. In fact, we’ve seen very few people since we arrived. And when we get to the bar, located in the euro-style addition to the complex, we find nobody but the bartender. The bar itself is a very grand, elaborate room. Smooth jazz plays in the background. And it reminds us of something...

This shot does not include the stage with the grand piano and the karaoke stand, behind a barrier of plexiglass due to covid.

The bartender (dressed formally) is a kind Japanese lady who speaks no English. However, she provides us with an English menu, which had some truly unique selections. Please see:

Call me crazy, but I almost wanted to see the private karaoke room. The bartender made sure to remind me we could sing one song for just 300 yen. 

So, we have a drink. The bar remains empty. The music continues to play. It’s Friday night. At some point, the bartender DOES manage to loop an unsuspecting Chinese couple inside. They’re some of the few people we’ve seen here. They don’t stay long.

After that, we start getting the sense that this place really...Shines. If you know what I mean. And, once we leave the bar, we can’t help but notice the similarities. I mean, just LOOK at the decor of this place. There are even creepy black and white photos of Emperor Hirohito’s visit here in the lobby:

And then, the crown jewel: We get back to the fourth floor elevator bank.

Seem familiar?

Anyway, this was an unforgettable experience. Can’t say we’ll stay again, but if you’d like to see it for yourself, the property is called Yunoshimakan, located in Gero Onsen, Japan.

Bonus pic: this absolutely unhinged sign on the door to the 9th floor patio:

[travel-journal-from-shirokane]

Suimeikan, Hot Springs Hotel(Gifu, Japan)水明館★★★

During the year-end and New Year holidays, I enjoyed Suimeikan's hot springs while visiting my wife's family home (Gero Onsen) (^o^) Gero Onsen is one of Japan's top three hot springs. The colorless, transparent, and elastic hot water is attractive (^o^)

年末年始、家内の実家（下呂温泉）への帰省中、水明館の温泉を楽しんで来ました(^o^)

日本三名泉の一つ、無色透明、弾力感のあるお湯が魅力ですね(^o^)

https://www.suimeikan.co.jp/

[hotelbooking]

Gero Onsen Yamagataya At Gero Onsen Yamagataya, your relaxation and entertainment needs are well taken care of. In addition to its renowned spa and a delightful gift/souvenir shop, this luxurious hotel offers a range of entertainment facilities that will keep you entertained throughout your stay. For those seeking active pursuits, the hotel features a well-equipped fitness center where you can maintain your workout routine or try out new exercises. Stay in shape with state-of-the-art equipment and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding picturesque landscape. If you're in the mood for some friendly competition, head to the hotel's game room. Challenge your companions to a game of billiards or table tennis, or engage in some friendly banter over a round of darts. The game room provides a lively and entertaining atmosphere for guests of all ages. For a more laid-back experience, the hotel's library is the perfect spot to unwind with a good book. Immerse yourself in a world of literature...

[maigeiko]

New Maiko in Gifu! On 3rd December 2023, Kikyo 喜きょう debuted from Hosengiren. From now until 31rd December, there are five Maiko in Gifu prefecture, the highest number since 2016 (two in Gifu at Hôsengiren, two in Gifu with the Geigi Union, one in Gero Onsen). Her Hikizuri is patterned with pine trees (matsu 松), bamboo leaves (take 竹), tortoise shell pattern (hanairi kikkô 花入亀甲) and abstract clouds (kumodori 雲取). Smaller motifs you can see are Chrysanthemum blossoms (kiku 菊), Orange fruits (tachibana 橘), Plum blossoms (ume 梅), and few others I couldn't identify.

[travopo]

Best Places to Visit in Gifu Prefecture | Travel Guide (2023) | Things to Do, See & Eat

[miyamototakami]

下呂温泉郷ウェルネス湯めぐりガイド 　

リーフレット12P／サイト

2024.02

Client: 下呂温泉観光協会 / Gero-onsen Tourist association Design: Akira Mima

Coding: Rhizome design Direction, Writing: Takami Miyamoto

Website

https://gero-meister.com/

download

https://gero-meister.com/pdf/gerowellnessguidebook.pdf

[delekontour]

Gero Onsen Tag 2 & Hida Osaka Falls

Das Frühstück war auch am 2. Tag wieder eine Entdeckungsreise.

Nach einem letzten Bad im Onsen packten wir unsere Sachen und machten uns mit Zug & E-Bikes auf zu den Hida-Osaka Wasserfällen, wo wir ein anderes Touristenpärchen aus der Schweiz trafen. Dank zünftigem Regen waren wir Vier die einzigen die die Wasserfälle besuchten.

Anschliessend ein paar Snacks einkaufen und ab in den Zug nach Kyoto.

[nihonmura-shop]

Gero Onsen is a clear, colorless hot spring with a slight aroma and a smooth texture. It is said to be a "health spa" because it warms the body and improves blood circulation, relieving fatigue and promoting good health. ♨️ The ranking is based on major Japanese travel websites. @nihon_mura ←Click here for other Japan sightseeing spots.🇯🇵 Click [Save] if you like this post.😍 We are uploading daily information on fascinating sightseeing spots and new places in Japan! If you are going sightseeing in Japan, or if you are wondering "What kind of places exist in Japan! Please look our post and enjoy! We're here to help you plan of your sightseeing!🗾 If you hav any question or places that you want me to make a slide ask me by DM💌 #japantravel #japanlover #japantrip #visitjapan #japanrailpass #onsen #geroonsen #gifu https://www.instagram.com/p/CpR-y24roCm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[starli]

Shinmeisanso in Gero Onsen. This place is about a 30 minute drive from the main onsen area. Since it’s in the mountains, the air smells nice and woodsy. It’s so quiet that it’s relaxing. We just dropped by for the onsen, but I’d like to stay here someday in the future. #gero #geroonsen #下呂温泉　 (at 神明山荘 - 料理旅館・トロン温泉・下呂) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnt0KS7Px35/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[lets-go-kyoto]

January 28, 2023

The most scenic bath I ever took.

Gero, Japan

[irl-magicalgirl]

feel like pure shit i just wanna be in the 700 year old log bath

[erwingroepper]

[lidoxia]

Got a bunch of pretty Ooedo Onsen merch! ^^