📍 gero onsen

We discovered an excellent free parking spot near Gero Onsen town. Although I typically prefer parking amidst nature, this tarmac parking lot was surprisingly nice. We woke up around 8am to the gentle sounds of the Gero Onsen Ideyu Morning Market's vendors opening their stalls. This morning market operates every day from 8AM to noon.

They also sell locally made miso, konnyaku gelatin, a variety of Japanese items like chirimen silk scrunchies and pouches, antiques, and Gero's unique specialty items, alongside locally grown vegetables available from Friday to Monday.

We had initially intended to visit the Gassho village up above the path, but after learning that there was an entrance fee and having spent nearly 24 hours in Shirakawago the day before, exploring all about Gassho houses, we opted to skip it. Instead, we headed directly to the town's center, eager to wander through the streets of gero onsen, the Famous hot spring resort south of Takayama.

We walked through the town and spent about 2 hours in Gero, enjoying a lovely picnic by the river under the shining sun. It was really nice! However, we didn't hang around much longer. Gero is well-known for its onsens, boasting three public bathhouses and numerous baths in various ryokans. But besides its charming appearance, the town doesn't offer much if you're not using the onsen facilities.

So, eager for our next adventure, we set off to explore. We were looking forward to spending the entire afternoon soaking up nature's beauty — exactly what we were after before we decided to head to Gifu!

📍 Ryujinno Falls

45 minutes drive later, we were about to embark on what would soon become one of the best days of our lives.

We walked in the mountains for about three hours, and all three of us absolutely loved it.

At the end of our adventure, we asked our 4-year-old what her favorite experience or discovery was during our 7-day trip. Without hesitation, she responded, 'The walk in the mountains with the waterfall!'

I can't quite put my finger on why this day felt so special; it was everything about it. The three of us together, the calmness around us, the bright red maple trees, those huge white rocks in the river shining in the sun, the clear water, and the sweet birdsong made the whole scene feel enchanting.

Even the big spiders (I'm a bit scared of them!) and signs about bears and snakes didn't ruin our mood.

Then, we reached the magnificent waterfall — strikingly blue and adorned with an incredible path of wooden steps and bridges that made us feel like we were entering a magical world.

We could hardly say anything except 'wow.' It was an absolute blast, and I feel immensely grateful to have the chance to see this marvelous piece of enchanted land that transported us into a fairy-tale world.

「Address: Kawaue, Nakatsugawa, Gifu 509-9201」

📍 Nakatsugawa Onsen

We left our magical forest as the sun began to set, taking a short 30-minute drive to our customary family-friendly diner before reaching Nakatsugawa Onsen, our chosen spot for the day.

This onsen boasts a spacious indoor and open-air bath, and a sauna. The water's alkaline properties work wonders, leaving the skin remarkably soft by gently exfoliating dead cells. Despite visiting numerous onsens in Japan, this one stood out with its fantastic amenities. It's equipped with a comic corner, game area, and an amazing playground that kept our daughter entertained for an extra hour after our soak. It was the perfect way to cap off the day, allowing our little one to expend the last of her boundless energy before bedtime!

The operating hours are from 10AM to 8PM on weekdays and until 9PM on weekends, holidays, and peak season days.

Usage fee: weekdays/holiday/high season - Adults: ¥700/¥1000/¥1100 - children: ¥400/¥700/¥800 - Under 2: free

「Address: 280 Misaka, Nakatsugawa, Gifu 508-0007」

Photo credit: Nakatsugawa Onsen

📍 Tenpaku Park (Azalea Garden)

Afterward, we headed to our overnight spot, opting this time for a small but well-maintained free parking situated at the entrance of a public garden in a quiet residential area atop a hill. It offered a lovely view overlooking Tsumago. With just a 7-minute drive planned for the next day, we didn't have to venture far that evening. After such a tranquil day, we fell asleep within moments, feeling utterly serene and content…

「Address: 2937-36 Yomikaki, Nagiso, Nagano 399-5301」