Okuhida Onsengo in Gifu is a hot spring spot famous for its five secret hot springs: Hirayu Onsen, Fukuji Onsen, Shinhirayu Onsen, Tochio Onsen and Shinhotaka Onsen. This will be an explanation to each of the five secret hot springs.
Hirayu Onsen
Hirayu Onsen is the largest hot spring in Hida Onsengo, located in the Hida Mountains, north of Norikuradake. Located on the Gifu side of the “Abo Tunnel”, a tunnel that links Gifu prefecture and Nagano prefecture together, it is a popular hot spring among tourists who not only want to travel Gifu, but also Nagano. It is said to be the oldest in Hida Onsengo, and it has permeated through many people as a spa.
Spot information
- Spot name: Hirayu Onsen
- Access: Get on Nohi Bus bound for Shinhotaka from JR Takayama Station, approx. 1 hour
Fukuji Onsen
Fukuji Onsen is a quiet hot spring resort in the mountains, and has been selected as one of the top 100 spas in Japan. Fukuji Onsen is sometimes referred to as "The Emperor Spring", which comes from the Emperor's visit for a hot spring cure during the Heian period. In the spa town, there is also a morning market where you can buy seasonal foods and special products.
Spot information
- Spot name: Fukuji Onsen
- Access: Get on Nohi Bus bound for Shinhotaka from JR Takayama Station, approx. 70 minutes
Shinhirayu Onsen
Shinhirayu Onsen is famous for its legend of its water called “Taruma water” and its related “Taruma princess”. It is also famous as a place of marriage, so it is also recommended as a place to travel for couples. "Okuhida Bear Park" is also nearby, where you can meet bears.
Spot information
- Spot name: Shinhirayu Onsen
- Access: Get on Nohi Bus bound for Shinhotaka from JR Takayama Station, approx. 75 minutes
Tochio Onsen
Tochio Onsen is a peaceful hot spring resort where out of approximately 20 lodgings, most are guest houses. There is also an open-air bath for mixed bathing, and is also recommended for traveling families and couples.
Spot information
- Spot name: Tochio Onsen
- Access: Get on Nohi Bus bound for Shinhotaka from JR Takayama Station, approx. 80 minutes
Shinhotaka Onsen
Shinhotaka Onsen is a hot spring resort located at the deepest place in Okuhida Onsengo, and is also a mountain climbing base for Mount Hotakadake. There is the "Shinhotaka Ropeway", which is famous for being the only two-story gondola in Japan, and is a place where you can enjoy beautiful views of the Northern Alps.
Spot information
- Spot name: Shinhotaka Onsen
- Access: Get on Nohi Bus bound for Shinhotaka from JR Takayama Station, approx. 90 minutes
Accessibility from Takayama to Okuhida Onsengo
From JR Takayama Station, you can get to each place in Okuhida Onsengo using the Nohi Bus in approx. 70-90 minutes. There is about one bus per hour, and it is around 1,500 yen to 2,000 yen one-way.
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