Gero Onsen Shrine 下呂温泉神社

Official explanation

Gero Onsen Shrine, built in 1989 as an offshoot of Yudonosan Shrine in Yamagata Prefecture, is dedicated to the hot springs (onsen) of Gero and located inside the Ryokan Union Building. The shrine is a small structure found close to Shirasagi Bridge. There is a small hand bath alongside the altar in the shrine. The Gero Onsen Shrine Festival is held every October 8 and includes a procession in which local people wearing traditional clothing make their way to the shrine to show their gratitude to the hot springs.

Thermal waters spout from the mouth of a dragon sculpture at Gero Onsen Shrine, symbolizing the abundant hot springs that feed Gero’s many baths. An annual festival held at the shrine on October 8 honors the town’s hot springs and their history. As part of the festivities, celebrants take to the streets in colorful outfits, including white egret costumes and formal samurai attire.

Read the full explanation

Centuries ago, when the hot springs purportedly stopped flowing, Gero’s fortunes were revived by a white egret (shirasagi) that was observed flying to the Hida River every day. Curious townspeople went to investigate and discovered a new hot spring source where the bird was bathing. The white egret is a common motif in Gero, and is celebrated in the traditions of the shrine.

The shrine is located steps away from Shirasagi Bridge and the Hida River. It was established in 1989 to express gratitude for the abundant hot springs that have earned Gero its reputation, and to pray for the town’s continued prosperity. The shrine is affiliated with Yudonosan Jinja, an ancient shrine with a sacred hot spring source in Yamagata Prefecture.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.