What other travelers are saying about Gero Onsen Gassho-mura Village
Absolutely breathtaking views. The garden is small, but everything is decorated in much detail. The fishpond under the sunlight is particularly beautiful! Hopefully I can come back in the fall to see the autumn leaves!
A very beautiful place. The location is small, but if you were staying at a nearby hotel, it's worth a visit. I think this should be considered an alternative to Sirakawa-go. There's an onsen for your feet on the premises.
Icon of Shirakawago but moved here when the government was building a dam and the huts were in danger of being flooded. Huts are well-preserved with many interesting exhibits in the houses. Worth the 20 min climb from the train station or you can take the 100 yen bus. Quite a big place to explore so plan for at least an hour here.
Beautiful old houses and a reconstruction of the city as it once was set a charming scene. Visitors can explore a working carpentry shop alongside demonstrations of other traditional crafts. The area also features a museum and a small onsen offering a delightful foot bath. Here, you have the opportunity to collect a six-part stamp by following the entire circuit through the city exhibition, which even takes you up to a slide. From there, you can either slide back down for 100 yen or choose to descend on foot.
Small but so nice!! If you go further up the hill to where the slide (すべり台) is you can see the whole park.
Played the slide for ¥100, so much fun! They have phone stands for you to take photo without help (so so soooo useful. Thank you!!) and there was also a staff going around to help take photos! Very interactive and beautiful houses. One of the houses even has the actual fire being lit up.
Had light snack at Ichikura and tried the river fish (amago) and a sushi. Lovely time there.
Gero Onsen Gassho-mura Village is an open-air museum in Gifu Prefecture featuring traditional Japanese gassho-zukuri farmhouses relocated from the Shirakawa-go and Gokayama regions. Visitors can explore 10 historic thatched-roof buildings, experience traditional crafts like pottery and weaving, watch cultural performances, and learn about rural Japanese life from the Edo period.
From Tokyo, take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya Station, then transfer to the JR Takayama Line to Gero Station (total travel time about 3.5 hours). From Gero Station, Gero Onsen Gassho-mura Village is a 5-minute walk or short taxi ride. The village is also accessible from Takayama (1 hour by train) and other Hida region destinations.
Gero Onsen Gassho-mura Village is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (last admission at 4:30 PM). Adult admission is 800 yen, children (elementary/middle school) pay 400 yen, and preschoolers enter free. The village may have reduced hours or closures during winter months, so checking the official website before visiting is recommended.
While you cannot stay overnight inside Gero Onsen Gassho-mura Village itself, the surrounding Gero Onsen area offers numerous traditional ryokan and hot spring hotels within walking distance. Popular accommodations include Suimeikan, Yunoshimakan, and other onsen resorts where guests can enjoy natural hot spring baths and traditional Japanese hospitality.
Gero Onsen Gassho-mura Village offers hands-on traditional Japanese experiences including pottery making, indigo dyeing, bamboo craft workshops, and seasonal activities like making traditional sweets. Visitors can also watch live demonstrations of ancient crafts, explore historical exhibits inside the gassho-zukuri houses, and participate in cultural events that showcase Hida region traditions and folklore.
