Onsen Museum — Attraction in Gero

With much gratitude to Mr.Takuhara(?) who I assume is the museum's manager.

It was a quiet Sunday just after lunch. First, Mr.Takuhara came out of his office to help us purchase the tickets.

We then started walking through the museum, which is entirely in Japanese and, yes, a bit old looking. But we were wrong.

Walking past one exhibit, Mr.Takuhara came out of his office again and explained it to us. And, yes, it was actually very interesting: a large interactive display of all the onsen-water-types (from very acidic to very alkaline) found in Japan, below a picture of a famous location, and below examples of what products can be made from that particular water. Cool.

Again we wandered around aimlessly and again missed an interesting exhibit and again Mr.Takuhara came over to us. This was an interactive exhibit where you can dip paper test-strips into water from each of the water-types and see the test-strip changes color (acidic-alkaline). Cool.

Then we made our way to the onsen and again we got help from Mr.Takuhara.

It's a very precise ritual: stick your feet for 5 minutes in the hot water, then walk 4 rounds through the hot and cold basins, then stick your feet for another 5 minutes in the hot basin. Then you're done. Most invigorating and enjoyable. Many hours/walking later, our feet still felt good.

Also, don't forget the nice views of the mountains on the opposite side of the valley.

Reminder: bring your towel or you can't use the onsen. IIRC, small towels are for sale for 200 yen in the museum.

This was the best experience we had in Gifu.

Thank you, Mr.Takuhara.

(We did not stay overnight in Gifu. If you want to know what which fantastic onsen we stayed, please read my...

A nice museum where you can learn about the history of onsens, as well as the types of onsens and their various properties. They're all in Japanese, though, and as a non-native we required the assistance of google translate all the way through. It's worth visiting if you're into history and want to learn more about it. There is also a hot-cold foot onsen outside which you can use, it's probably the only cold foot onsen in...

English review is after Japanese

個人的にはここが下呂で一番面白い場所でした。展示物は温泉にまつわるものばかりで、パンフレットやガイドブック、全国の温泉水など様々なものが展示されておりました。

館内のテラスには温泉と水を交互に歩いて血流をよくする足湯もあり、疲れた足を癒すことが出来ました。本当にポカポカになるので家にほしくなる。（笑）

こちらの館長さんのホスピタリティは非常に素晴らしく、幸せな気持ちになりました。展示物の説明をしてくれるし、バンバン夫婦写真を記念で撮ってくれるし。（笑）これで400円は安い。

Personally, this was the most interesting place in Gero. The exhibits were all about hot springs, and various things such as pamphlets, guidebooks, and hot spring water from all over Japan were exhibited.

On the terrace of the building, there is a footbath that you can walk in. The tub is seperated hot spring and cold water. By walking in these two warm and cold water alternately, your legs' blood flow will be improved. I was able to heal my tired feet. I really want this footbath at home. Hahaha.

The hospitality of the museum director here was also very nice and satisfying. He explained the exhibits very nicely and took a commemorative photo for us. Hahaha. It was worth more than 400 yen for sure.

Highly recommended(only if you can read Japanese or are interested...