Gero Onsen and Nagaragawa Cormorant Fishing

Gifu Prefecture's southern and central regions offer two experiences of traditional Japanese life at their most unhurried and authentic: Gero Onsen, ranked among Japan's three finest hot spring resorts for the quality and skin-smoothing properties of its alkaline waters, and Nagaragawa ukai — cormorant fishing on the Nagara River in Gifu City, a tradition maintained in royal patronage for over 1,300 years.

Highlights

Gero Onsen clusters around the Hida River gorge in a landscape of forested mountains and river valleys. The spring waters, classified as simple alkaline with a reputation for leaving skin extraordinarily soft, flow from multiple sources through a traditional onsen town of ryokan inns, public bath facilities, and riverside foot baths. The free riverside foot bath near the main bridge allows visitors to sample the waters without commitment to a full inn stay.

Nagaragawa ukai (cormorant fishing) is performed on the Nagara River in Gifu City each summer evening from mid-May to mid-October. Skilled ukai-sho (cormorant masters) direct their birds by torch-lit boat, the controlled fire attracting sweetfish (ayu) while the cormorants catch them — a technique so refined that it has earned Imperial Household Agency patronage, with the fishing masters holding court appointments. Watching from a yakatabune (traditional feast boat) as the torch-lit craft work the darkened river is a uniquely atmospheric experience.

Getting There & Tips

Gero: JR Hida Limited Express from Nagoya (approximately 70 minutes). Nagaragawa: 10 minutes by bus from JR Gifu Station. Book ukai viewing boats well in advance for the summer season.

Best Time to Visit

May to October for Nagaragawa ukai. Gero Onsen is year-round; winter snowfall combined with outdoor hot spring bathing (rotenburo) is particularly appealing.