Things to Do in Gero

Hida-Osaka is situated 40 minutes south from Takayama, and 40 minutes north from Gero either by train or bus or car. It's the best choice for those who are looking for the off-the-beaten path in Japan. The frozen waterfall gets as big as 15 meters (50 feet) high and 5 meters (16 feet) wide. It starts forming in early November and will drop and disappear by the end of April. The local guide who knows the area better than anyone will take you to the waterfall in all its beauty. The trail is about total 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) and takes about 4. 5 hours round trip. It’s a complete snow trail which requires snowshoes and spikes. The trail starts at an altitude of 1,800 meters (5,900 feet). There, the air gets as cold as -20 ℃ (46 ℉), and the snow piles up as high as 2 meters (6.6 feet). Physical toughness and the ability to walk and stay outside in these conditions is necessary for this tour. During the tour, the guide will prepare a hot outdoor lunch.

This private sake brewery tour is held at the tranquil town named Hagiwara. It takes just 15 minutes by car or train from Gero Hot Spring. The tour starts at JR Hida Hagiwara station and you will know the history of town first while leisurely walking. It has historically strong ties with Takayama from Sengoku period (16C). There are still some traditional buildings along the Hida Way at the center of Hagiwara, and one of those is Tenryo Sake Brewery. In the brewery, the enthusiastic brewer will show you how to make sake step by step and you will enjoy tasting their special sake finally. This is a private tour so you can ask any questions to fully satisfy your curiosity about sake. Moreover, this is the only sake tour available in English for overseas travelers around Gero. Do not miss this opportunity to dive into the sake world!

This is a private rural e-bike tour with local lunch at the Maze Village and the Hagiwara Town in the Hida region. Because it has no businesses specifically catering to tourists, the area is largely unknown and overlooked in the main guidebooks, though it’s close to the tourist towns like Takayama or Gero. Please do not worry about uphills because our e-bike helps you a lot so that you can easily enjoy seeing the nature of Hida Mountains. In the area of the Maze Village, there are 10 small hamlets that located along the beautiful Maze River. Each has only 50-300 people and these many small communities are together referred to as the Maze Area Villages. Our friendly and knowledgeable English-speaking guide will take you to picturesque spots and offer you some local stories about history, culture and lifestyle. Seeing the tranquil views and tasting the special meal with local ingredients, you can fully enjoy the authentic rural Japan.

This is a private sake brewery tour dedicated for small groups who want to escape from tourist crowds to have the authentic sake experience, including a leisurely town walk and sake tasting. The tour is held at the small country town named Hagiwara, which is near from Takayama but definitely no tourist here. You can enjoy understanding the sake brewing process and the beautiful sake tasting at your own pace without any stress. On the way to the Tenryo Sake Brewery, your guide will share not only the introduction of sake but the historical background of town. Inside the brewery, you will understand the brewing process of sake step by step with seeing the actual facilities and machines for production. Afterward, you will taste various excellent sake of Tenryo (天領) to enjoy the difference of flavors, and you can get a lot of useful tips to drink and order sake. If you love sake, please do not miss this opportunity!

Starting at the Hida-Hagiwara station, we will directly head for a cluster of ten small Maze Riverside hamlets, each with a population of approximately 50 to 300 people, together collectively known as the “Maze Village”, which are regarded as some of the most beautiful authentic set of rural villages in Japan. Because it has no businesses specifically catering to tourists, the area is largely unknown and overlooked in the main guidebooks, though it’s close to the tourist towns like Takayama or Gero. Same as the full day tour, we need to go up the mountain road but please do not worry. We use Panasonic’s cool electric bikes. If you are capable of a normal bike, it is also easy to handle this e-bike. Getting away from tourist crowds, you will fully enjoy the authentic countryside of Japan in this private e-bike tour. If you visit Hida Takayama area to see the beauty of nature in the rural Japan, this tour must be the best option for you.

This is the premium version of 1-Day Rural E-Bike Tour in Hida. Same as the regular one, the tour concept is exploring the hidden part of Takayama by cool electric bikes to see and understand the authentic rural Japan. There is 1 key difference from the standard tour. Lunch is Kaiseki (traditional multi-course Japanese meal) and farm experience included. You pick some fruit or vegetable with people living in the village, and the local ryokan or restaurant makes the beautiful Japanese meal with local produce. No exaggeration to say, it must be the most memorable moment of your trip in Japan. Please do not miss the opportunity! *It depend on the day whether the farm experience is offered for a small group (2-3 people). If not, we can arrange to visit a local fish farm or interact with locals as alternative.

This is a leisurely walking tour in the country town named Hagiwara, which is close from Takayama. The first thing you should know is that the town is just a rural town in the Hida region. Not published on any travel guide so you will fully enjoy touching the actual local culture of Japan's countryside. Secondly, we would like to offer more personal experience so the tour is held only for one group on each time slot. This tour is just made for small groups like couple, family or friend. During the tour, you will stop some points and your guide will tell you about not only the way of life in rural Japan but also the historical background of town. Any questions will be always welcome. Please do not hesitate to ask him / her. It would be the best choice for those who want to get away from tourists but want to see the real life in the rural part of Japan.

Hida-Osaka E-BIKE Adventure – Short Course Majestic Waterfalls × Forest Bathing × Countryside Gourmet! A Casual E-BIKE Tour Course Hida-Osaka Station - Gandate Park - Michi-no-Eki Hanamomo -Hida-Osaka Station Located between Gero City and Takayama City, Hida-Osaka is a town rich in nature and history. On this E-BIKE tour, you can comfortably explore the area's hidden gems while riding an electric-assisted mountain bike. At Gandate Park, experience the breathtaking power of a magnificent waterfall and immerse yourself in nature. Enjoy the refreshing ride through the forest as you make your way to Michi-no-Eki Hanamomo. At the roadside station, indulge in delicious local gourmet food made with fresh regional ingredients. Thanks to E-BIKE support, even beginners or those who are not confident in their stamina can enjoy this easy and exciting adventure ride. A compact yet fulfilling experience of Hida-Osaka in a short time! Feel the breath of nature and enjoy a refreshing E-BIKE journey.

E-BIKE Tour in Hida-Osaka – Nature & Hot Springs Adventure Day 1: Hida-Osaka ⇒ Nigorigo Onsen Start from Hida-Osaka Station and ride to Nigorigo Onsen (1,800m). Enjoy the challenge of a mountain climb made easier with an E-BIKE. At night, relax in a hot spring under the stars. Mostly uphill with no vending machines, stores, or toilets. Bring enough food and water. Distance: 50 km Elevation Gain: 1,300 m Time: 8 hours Day 2: Nigorigo Onsen ⇒ Hida-Osaka Station Experience a thrilling downhill ride with views of Mount Ontake, forests, and valleys. Enjoy local gourmet stops. Distance: 50 km Elevation Loss: 1,300 m Time: 6–8 hours Tour Details Accommodation: Book a ryokan at Nigorigo Onsen (with meals). Supplies: No stores; bring two days’ worth of food & water. Costs: Lodging and meals not included. Backpack: 50L+ for food, water, rain gear, and a 5kg spare battery. Fitness: For experienced riders only. Luggage: No storage at the station.