New Year's: Family trip to Gero Onsen
I was worried about the high price for New Year's, but I decided to go to Gero Onsen, so I did some research and found a cheap inn that included two meals. This time, it was just over 80,000 yen for two nights for four adults.
Results
• The bath was very good
• The futon was just a thin futon
• It's okay if there's no dinner, but it's better if there isn't
• If you're okay with toast and coffee for breakfast, it's OK
• The innkeepers were kind
• There's a parking lot nearby, and you can park before or after check-out
So, I think it's for people who want to stay cheaply without meals.
On the first day, after taking a break at Starbucks at Lake Suwa Interchange, we went to Gero Onsen's conveyor belt sushi restaurant, Uozen, which we made a reservation for in the car. Sushi in Gifu? But the reviews were good, so we went, and it was quite delicious.
At the liquor store Ogawaya next to the inn, you can taste five glasses of sake for 500 yen, which is good value and fun. Three of us bought 10 coins and shared them.
Also, I didn't go, but the nearby snack bar Majo served something like candied sparrows, which was surprising 😲 Apparently they also went to eat Sarashina miso ramen near the inn, which was super delicious. Maybe dinner could be had here too.
On the second day, we went to the large hot spring hotel Ogawaya for a day trip bath, which also had a large bath, which was nice. New Year's fee is 2000 yen per person, and includes a hand towel.
Maybe the water itself would have been better at a cheaper hotel?
On the last day, we bought the classic Gero pudding as a souvenir and had a tempura bowl at a service area for lunch on the way back. There was a lot of traffic, so we shifted to the back roads halfway through. As a result, we were able to get home early.
#Hot springs
#Gero hot springs
#Eating sparrows
#Fresh fish
#Gero hot springs Ogawaya