A huge congratulations to Gifu’s hot-spring districts that made Japan’s Top 100 Hot Springs Ranking (Nippon no Onsen Hyaku-sen in Japanese).

Rankings were decided by several tourism-related organisations including the “Japan Ryokan & Hotel Association” and “Japan Onsen Association”, after first letting tourist-industry professionals all over the country vote for their top choices based on elements like hot spring water quality and atmosphere.

#2 Gero Hot Springs
  • Presenting Gero Onsen – one of Japan’s top three hot spring destinations with plenty to offer from river fishing, forest bathing, waterfalls, and local produce. Also awarded one of the World’s Top 100 Most Sustainable Tourism Destinations in 2022.
  • Presenting Gero Onsen – one of Japan’s top three hot spring destinations with plenty to offer from river fishing, forest bathing, waterfalls, and local produce. Also awarded one of the World’s Top 100 Most Sustainable Tourism Destinations in 2022.
  • Presenting Gero Onsen – one of Japan’s top three hot spring destinations with plenty to offer from river fishing, forest bathing, waterfalls, and local produce. Also awarded one of the World’s Top 100 Most Sustainable Tourism Destinations in 2022.

#15 Okuhida Hot Springs
Deep in the Northern Japan Alps, lies The Okuhida Hot Spring Villages, which boasts the most open-air hot spring baths of any one area in all of Japan with five hot spring villages in total: Hirayu, Fukuji, Shinhirayu, Tochio, and Shinhotaka.

#39 Nagaragawa Hot Springs
The spring water near the Nagara River is rich in iron, resulting in its reddish-brown appearance alongside a wide variety of health benefits. Choose from a variety of seven unique hot spring accommodations.

With as many as three hot spring areas in Gifu ranked in the top 40 hot springs nationwide, this is definitely a top spot for you to rest, relax, and rejuvenate. A special mention goes to Gero Hot Springs, which was awarded one of the World’s Top 100 Most Sustainable Tourism Destinations in 2022!

Be sure to make this a destination for a hot spring getaway, especially in winter!

Both Okuhida and Nagaragawa improved their rankings from last year (from #18 and #47 respectively) while Gero has maintained its #2 ranking.

2023 Ranking Results (Japanese)
2023 Ranking Results Article 1 (Japanese)
2023 Ranking Results Article 2 (Japanese)

Ranking Website (Japanese; 2023 results to be added)