Gero Onsen Shrine Annual Festival Held in Gifu

The Gero Onsen Shrine Annual Festival was held on October 8 in Gero City, Gifu Prefecture. The event, which celebrates the local hot springs, featured traditional activities such as the ‘Sanpo procession’ and ‘Senko maki’, drawing participation from tourists.

Yasuhiro Taki, president of Suimeikan and representative of the shrine's parishioners, expressed gratitude for the hot springs, noting their historical role in connecting people and supporting the community. Gero Mayor Noboru Yamauchi emphasized the importance of public-private cooperation to revitalize the area through tourism-centered urban development.

The Gero Onsen Shrine was established in October 1989, having received a divine branch from the Yudono-yama Shrine in Yamagata Prefecture. This year marks the 38th consecutive year of the festival.