Inside a Japanese Onsen Ryokan Hidden in the Forest | Gero onsen Yunoshimakan

@It's Time to Travel🇯🇵 / 旅する時間

It's Time to Travel🇯🇵 / 旅する時間youtubethe post

Explore Yunoshimakan, a historic ryokan in Gero Onsen, Gifu, known for its Studio Ghibli-esque charm, maze-like architecture, and abundant natural hot springs, including private and public baths.

7 places · 3 experiences

1
Gero Station
Train station · Gero
3.9 (424)
Creator's voice
The arrival point for Gero Onsen, accessible by the Limited Express Hida train from Gifu. A free shuttle bus is available from here to Yunoshimakan.
Gero Station, Kōden, Gero, Gifu 509-2206, Japan
2
Gero Onsen
Open air museum · Gero
3.0 (9)Closed · opens tomorrow 8:30 AM
Creator's voice
One of Japan’s top three hot springs, with over 1,000 years of history. You'll find hand baths, foot baths, and traditional ryokans lining the Hida River. The town is known for its frog mascots due to 'Gero' sounding like a frog's croak.
Gero Onsen Gassho-mura, 2369 Mori, Gero, Gifu 509-2202, Japan
3
Gero Ohashi Bridge
Bridge · Gero
4.3 (161)Closed
Creator's voice
A symbol of Gero Onsen, this bridge spans the Hida River, offering views of the ryokans lining the riverbank.
Gero Ōhashi Bridge, Gero, Gifu 509-2206, Japan
4
Yunomachi Street
shopping-street
5
Butter Shop (Gero Onsen)
Gero
Creator's voice
A cute yellow building on the way to Yunoshimakan, specializing in butter-based products and souvenirs. They even have a buttermilk foot bath with a calf statue.
Gero Onsen, Gero, Gifu, Japan
- Berry-flavored butter sandwich — A rich, berry-flavored butter sandwich that pulls you right into the world of butter.
- Butter soy sauce rice ball — A familiar Japanese grilled rice ball soaked in buttery goodness, offering a delicious savory-sweet combination.
6
Hidaya
Japanese inn · Gero
3.9
Creator's voice
A local eatery near the butter shop, serving local specialties like Hida beef croquettes.
Gero Onsen Yamagataya, 260-1 Yunoshima, Gero, Gifu 509-2207, Japan
- Hida beef croquette — A nice and crunchy croquette featuring local Hida beef, a satisfying snack while exploring the town.
Experience · 1 place
Soak in the hilltop foot bath
afternoon
Discover a foot bath on the high ground of the ryokan, offering amazing views of the surrounding nature. Towels are provided nearby for convenience. The water is nice and hot, providing a relaxing soak.
7
Yunoshimakan Gero Onsen
Hotel · Gero
4.4 (4)
Creator's voice
A historic ryokan founded in 1931, perched on the highest hill in Gero Onsen. Some parts are registered cultural properties, and it's said to have inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. It features a maze-like layout of connected buildings, traditional Japanese rooms, and its own natural hot spring source.
Yunoshimakan, 645 Yunoshima, Gero, Gifu 509-2207, Japan
Lobby with traditional hearth — The lobby features a traditional hearth and seasonal Hina dolls, creating a welcoming and culturally rich entrance.
Cozy lounge with garden view — A comfortable lounge overlooking a garden, offering complimentary drinks and a peaceful natural setting through large windows.
Souvenir shop — A spacious gift shop selling local sake, foods, and hot spring water skincare products, perfect for finding unique souvenirs.
Kumoi-no-ma room with open-air bath · ¥94,600 — A classic-style Japanese room featuring a 4.5-tatami mat room, a 10-tatami mat room, and an L-shaped veranda with views of Gero town. It includes a private hinoki cypress indoor bath and an open-air bath. The room costs 94,600 yen for two people (prices may vary by season).
Hinoki cypress indoor bath — An indoor bath made of hinoki cypress, filling the air with its soothing scent. The water is 100% natural hot spring source, with adjustable temperature.
Private open-air bath — A private open-air bath perfect for enjoying nature, with clear, smooth alkaline simple spring water known as a “beauty bath.” You can warm up anytime, and from January to March, you might even see fireworks on Saturdays.
Japanese tea room — A small, three-tatami mat Japanese tea room, divided by paper doors, connecting to the veranda. It's a handy extra space if you're staying with a group.
Entertainment Hall — A building with a totally different vibe from the main wing, designed to resemble a luxury cruise ship with Art Deco style decorations. It houses billiards, table tennis, an izakaya bar, and Club Moonlight.
Lounge with drink bar and games — An Art Deco-style lounge area with a drink bar offering coffee and juice (including Natchan orange juice), and stylish wooden board games for guests to enjoy.
Dried persimmon butter — A sweet and unique appetizer, offering a distinct local flavor.
Marinated Hida beef — Incredibly tender and tasty marinated Hida beef, a highlight of the appetizer course.
Sashimi platter — A fresh selection of sashimi including sea bream, tuna, prawn, and fresh yuba, surprisingly available and delicious even in landlocked Gifu.
Grilled salt-cured Amago trout — A river fish long loved in the Hida and Gero areas, grilled to perfection with a light and clean taste that pairs well with sudachi citrus. You can eat the entire fish, including head, innards, and bones.
Experience · 1 place
Experience the public hot springs
afternoon
Head to the public baths, which are gender-separated and switch daily. The spacious dressing room offers plenty of skincare amenities. Start with the large indoor bath, then climb about 30 steps to the beautiful open-air bath. The alkaline simple spring water, known as a “beauty bath,” feels silky smooth and is deeper than typical baths, offering an open and perfect soaking experience. Remember to wash up indoors first as there's no washing area at the open-air bath.
7
Yunoshimakan Gero Onsen
Hotel · Gero
4.4 (4)
Creator's voice
A historic ryokan founded in 1931, perched on the highest hill in Gero Onsen. Some parts are registered cultural properties, and it's said to have inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. It features a maze-like layout of connected buildings, traditional Japanese rooms, and its own natural hot spring source.
Yunoshimakan, 645 Yunoshima, Gero, Gifu 509-2207, Japan
Lobby with traditional hearth — The lobby features a traditional hearth and seasonal Hina dolls, creating a welcoming and culturally rich entrance.
Cozy lounge with garden view — A comfortable lounge overlooking a garden, offering complimentary drinks and a peaceful natural setting through large windows.
Souvenir shop — A spacious gift shop selling local sake, foods, and hot spring water skincare products, perfect for finding unique souvenirs.
Kumoi-no-ma room with open-air bath · ¥94,600 — A classic-style Japanese room featuring a 4.5-tatami mat room, a 10-tatami mat room, and an L-shaped veranda with views of Gero town. It includes a private hinoki cypress indoor bath and an open-air bath. The room costs 94,600 yen for two people (prices may vary by season).
Hinoki cypress indoor bath — An indoor bath made of hinoki cypress, filling the air with its soothing scent. The water is 100% natural hot spring source, with adjustable temperature.
Private open-air bath — A private open-air bath perfect for enjoying nature, with clear, smooth alkaline simple spring water known as a “beauty bath.” You can warm up anytime, and from January to March, you might even see fireworks on Saturdays.
Japanese tea room — A small, three-tatami mat Japanese tea room, divided by paper doors, connecting to the veranda. It's a handy extra space if you're staying with a group.
Entertainment Hall — A building with a totally different vibe from the main wing, designed to resemble a luxury cruise ship with Art Deco style decorations. It houses billiards, table tennis, an izakaya bar, and Club Moonlight.
Lounge with drink bar and games — An Art Deco-style lounge area with a drink bar offering coffee and juice (including Natchan orange juice), and stylish wooden board games for guests to enjoy.
Dried persimmon butter — A sweet and unique appetizer, offering a distinct local flavor.
Marinated Hida beef — Incredibly tender and tasty marinated Hida beef, a highlight of the appetizer course.
Sashimi platter — A fresh selection of sashimi including sea bream, tuna, prawn, and fresh yuba, surprisingly available and delicious even in landlocked Gifu.
Grilled salt-cured Amago trout — A river fish long loved in the Hida and Gero areas, grilled to perfection with a light and clean taste that pairs well with sudachi citrus. You can eat the entire fish, including head, innards, and bones.
Experience · 1 place
Savor a traditional multi-course dinner
evening
Enjoy dinner in a private room, which was formerly a guestroom, allowing for a calm and intimate dining experience. The meal begins with plum wine and seasonal appetizers. Highlights include special grilled leaf sushi, dried persimmon butter, tender marinated Hida beef, clear soup with shark fin, fresh sashimi (sea bream, tuna, prawn, yuba), grilled salt-cured Amago trout, A5-grade Hida beef sirloin shabu-shabu, steamed winter yellowtail with grated lotus root, miso soup with amitake mushrooms, and pickles. Each dish is served one by one, culminating in a three-story “sweets apartment” dessert.
7
Yunoshimakan Gero Onsen
Hotel · Gero
4.4 (4)
Creator's voice
A historic ryokan founded in 1931, perched on the highest hill in Gero Onsen. Some parts are registered cultural properties, and it's said to have inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. It features a maze-like layout of connected buildings, traditional Japanese rooms, and its own natural hot spring source.
Yunoshimakan, 645 Yunoshima, Gero, Gifu 509-2207, Japan
Lobby with traditional hearth — The lobby features a traditional hearth and seasonal Hina dolls, creating a welcoming and culturally rich entrance.
Cozy lounge with garden view — A comfortable lounge overlooking a garden, offering complimentary drinks and a peaceful natural setting through large windows.
Souvenir shop — A spacious gift shop selling local sake, foods, and hot spring water skincare products, perfect for finding unique souvenirs.
Kumoi-no-ma room with open-air bath · ¥94,600 — A classic-style Japanese room featuring a 4.5-tatami mat room, a 10-tatami mat room, and an L-shaped veranda with views of Gero town. It includes a private hinoki cypress indoor bath and an open-air bath. The room costs 94,600 yen for two people (prices may vary by season).
Hinoki cypress indoor bath — An indoor bath made of hinoki cypress, filling the air with its soothing scent. The water is 100% natural hot spring source, with adjustable temperature.
Private open-air bath — A private open-air bath perfect for enjoying nature, with clear, smooth alkaline simple spring water known as a “beauty bath.” You can warm up anytime, and from January to March, you might even see fireworks on Saturdays.
Japanese tea room — A small, three-tatami mat Japanese tea room, divided by paper doors, connecting to the veranda. It's a handy extra space if you're staying with a group.
Entertainment Hall — A building with a totally different vibe from the main wing, designed to resemble a luxury cruise ship with Art Deco style decorations. It houses billiards, table tennis, an izakaya bar, and Club Moonlight.
Lounge with drink bar and games — An Art Deco-style lounge area with a drink bar offering coffee and juice (including Natchan orange juice), and stylish wooden board games for guests to enjoy.
Dried persimmon butter — A sweet and unique appetizer, offering a distinct local flavor.
Marinated Hida beef — Incredibly tender and tasty marinated Hida beef, a highlight of the appetizer course.
Sashimi platter — A fresh selection of sashimi including sea bream, tuna, prawn, and fresh yuba, surprisingly available and delicious even in landlocked Gifu.
Grilled salt-cured Amago trout — A river fish long loved in the Hida and Gero areas, grilled to perfection with a light and clean taste that pairs well with sudachi citrus. You can eat the entire fish, including head, innards, and bones.