Onsenji Temple Gero Gifu Prefecture

Onsenji Temple Gero, Gifu Prefecture 温泉寺,下呂温泉，岐阜県

Gero Onsen in Gifu Prefecture, a 3-hour drive north of Nagoya or 90 minutes on the train on the Takayama Line, is a hot spring resort redolent with the soothing sounds of water.  Onsenji Temple (温泉寺), a short walk up the hill from the main town, is a peaceful place to enjoy fine views of the Mashita River valley below. As well, visitors can learn something of a legend connected with this onsen resort.

Legend of the white heron

This legend has it that after a strong earthquake in 1265 the onsen hot spring dried up until a white heron lead the villagers to the source of a new spring. When the bird flew into the woods in the mountains behind the town, the grateful residents built a temple on the spot where the bird rested in a tall pine tree.

Onsenji is dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of medicine and healing, obviously related to the medicinal properties of Gero's waters. The temple grounds contain a bell tower and a Shinto shrine to kitsune - the fox spirit.

Access - Getting There

Onsenji Temple is a short walk up from the pleasant Shiunso ryokan (Tel: 0576 25 2101) and Gero Onsen Museum. There are regular trains to Gero from both Takayama and Nagoya as well as a daily highway bus to Tokyo.

Places to stay in Gero include the Hotel Fujihara. A short distance from the town is the worthwhile Zenshoji Temple.

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