[Autumn 2026, Gero Onsen] Sake tasting tour! "Gero Masu Sake Walk" - Visiting 10 local sake shops.

2026.08.23

This autumn-only event will be held from September 1st to October 31st, 2026, in Gero springs. Participants will visit 10 shops in the hot spring town with an original masu (wooden sake cup) in hand, sampling local sake brewed by two long-established sake breweries with over 300 years of history, while enjoying Japanese sake culture and strolling through the town.

• Table of Contents
• [Gifu, Gero Onsen] Compare local sake in the hot spring town! "Gero Masu Sake Walk" to be held in Autumn 2026.
• Walk around the Gero spring town and compare different types of sake and local brews.
• Traditional Japanese sake cups called "masu" make great souvenirs from your trip.
• Two long-established sake breweries that brew the local culture of Gero
• Founded in 1680, Tenryo Brewery brews sake using rice from Hida and ultra-soft water.
• Founded in 1720. Oku Sake Brewery, which preserves the traditions of pure groundwater.
• 10 participating establishments in Gero Onsen and the sake and local sake available for dine-in.
• How to participate in the Gero Masu Sake Walk and the fee
• Four reasons why I recommend Gero as a travel destination from Taiwan
• Access to Gero Onsen | From Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo
• Take a deeper dive into your Japanese travels with hot springs and local sake.
• Event Basic Information

[Gifu, Gero Onsen] Compare local sake in the hot spring town! "Gero Masu Sake Walk" to be held in Autumn 2026.

In Gero Onsen, Gifu Prefecture , known as one of Japan's three most famous hot springs , the " Gero Masu-zake Walk," an autumn event where participants can sample Japanese sake and local brews while strolling through the hot spring town, will be held from September 1st to October 31st, 2026 .

Your travel companion will be a small wooden masu (wooden sake cup) featuring an original Gero design. You'll visit 10 participating shops in the hot spring town and sample one glass each of sake from two breweries with long histories in Gero.

Instead of drinking a lot at once, you can try small amounts of different sakes that interest you, making it perfect even for those unfamiliar with Japanese sake. It's a unique Gero experience where you can enjoy hot springs, strolling through town, local sake, and the traditional sake cup "masu" all at once.

For more detailed information about the event, please check the Gero Masu Sake Walk official website .

Walk around the Gero spring town and compare different types of sake and local brews.

The "Gero Masu Sake Walk" is not a tasting event held at a single venue.

Listen to the gentle murmur of the Hida River and stroll through the steam-filled alleys, visiting inns, restaurants, and liquor stores at your own pace. After enjoying a drink at an interesting establishment, take in the scenery of the hot spring town and soak your feet in a footbath before heading to the next place. One of the charms of this event is that alcohol can be the catalyst for discovering new shops and people you never knew existed.

The participation set includes four digital tickets , and each ticket allows you to enjoy one drink of your choice from participating establishments.

Each store offers a variety of drinks, from sake such as junmai daiginjo and doburoku to rice shochu and even rare vodkas made by sake breweries. Compare the differences in aroma, sweetness, crispness, and rice flavor to find your favorite.

If you're not a big drinker, you don't have to visit all four establishments at once. Take your time and enjoy cafes, meals, and footbaths along the way as you explore the town of Gero at your own pace.

Traditional Japanese sake cups called "masu" make great souvenirs from your trip.

The measuring cup used in this event is the "masu," which has been used in Japan since ancient times to measure rice, sake, and other liquids.

The masu (wooden sake cup) is now a popular vessel for enjoying sake and has been used in celebratory occasions such as shrine ceremonies and weddings. Its square wooden shape and subtle woody scent make it a great choice for those who want to take photos that evoke a sense of Japan.

At the Masu-zake Walk, a small plastic cup is placed inside a masu (wooden sake cup), and sake is poured into it for serving. The original Gero Gero used does not need to be returned and can be taken home.

Even after returning to Taiwan, using it as a trinket box or interior decoration will remind you of the time you spent walking around the Gero.

Furthermore, "traditional sake brewing," which uses koji mold to produce sake and other beverages, was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2024. The Masu-zake Walk is not only an opportunity to taste sake, but also a chance to easily experience the sake brewing culture that has been passed down in each region of Japan.

Two long-established sake breweries that brew the local culture of Gero

The sake that can be enjoyed at the Masu-zake Walk is made by Tenryo Shuzo and Oku Shuzo, both of which have a history of over 300 years in Gero City .

The basic ingredients for sake are rice, water, and rice koji. Because of its simplicity, the aroma and taste develop uniquely depending on the water, rice, climate of the region, and the skills of the master brewer and brewery workers.

Try comparing the two sake breweries located in the same Gero City and experience the differences for yourself.

Founded in 1680, Tenryo Brewery brews sake using rice from Hida and ultra-soft water.

Tenryo Sake Brewery is a sake brewery founded in 1680 in Hida Hagiwara, located north of the Gero spring resort area.

The name "Tenryo" originates from the fact that the Hida region was a "Tenryo," a territory directly controlled by the Tokugawa shogunate, during the Edo period.

Tenryo Brewery values ​​rice, water, and meticulous sake brewing. They use sake-brewing rice varieties best suited for sake production, primarily "Hidahomare," a sake-brewing rice variety unique to Hida. They brew their sake using natural groundwater drawn from 30 meters underground, originating from the Hida Mountains.

This water is extremely soft, making it ideal for brewing sake with a clear flavor that brings out the best in the rice. Another characteristic is that they mill the rice in-house and carefully polish it to the perfect consistency for each type of sake.

At the Masu-zake Walk, you can discover a wide range of flavors from Tenryo Brewery, including Junmai Daiginjo with a gorgeous aroma, sake brewed with Hida-grown "Hidahomare" rice, gently sweet Doburoku, "Andante" which offers a new kind of enjoyment, and authentic rice shochu that has been aged for a long time.

For those unfamiliar with sake, it's recommended to start with types that have a fragrant aroma or a gentle sweetness.

Tenryo Sake Brewery Official Website

Founded in 1720. Oku Sake Brewery, which preserves the traditions of pure groundwater.

Oku Sake Brewery was founded in 1720 in Gero City, Kaneyama Town , a town located on the border of Hida and Mino provinces, which once flourished as a post town.

The sake brewing process uses the pure groundwater from the Maze River and Hida River rivers. The water is drawn from a deep well 50 meters underground at the brewery, and the sake is brewed with meticulous care by the brewmaster, using locally grown sake rice "Hidahomare" as the main ingredient.

"Hidahomare" is a representative sake rice from Gifu Prefecture, known for its large grains, low protein content, and ability to produce sake with a rich flavor that allows you to fully appreciate the umami of the rice.

Oku Sake Brewery continues to uphold traditional sake brewing methods that value handcrafted techniques, such as the traditional koji-making process using koji trays. Their flagship brands are "Oku," named after the brewery, and "Hatsumidori," a series known for its vibrant and fruity aroma.

At the Masu-zake Walk, you can find not only Junmai Daiginjo and sake that has won gold medals at the National New Sake Appraisal Competition, but also Junmai Daiginjo brewed with "Ryu no Hitomi," a brand of rice originating in Gero, and even a rare vodka with an alcohol content of 55% made by a sake brewery.

While preserving tradition, Oku Brewery is also challenging itself to create new types of sake that go beyond the boundaries of traditional Japanese sake. Be sure to experience this diversity by comparing their different sakes.

The main store of Oku Sake Brewery also serves as a sake brewing museum, utilizing a building that is approximately 190 years old. It displays old account books, Hina dolls from about 200 years ago, and old sake brewing tools, and offers sake brewery tours by reservation. If you have time, it is recommended to visit in conjunction with the "Sujikotsu Meguri" (a walk through Kaneyama ) which retains the atmosphere of the Showa era.

Oku Sake Brewery Official Website

10 participating establishments in Gero Onsen and the sake and local sake available for dine-in.

The types of alcoholic beverages available vary depending on the participating establishment.

No.	Participating stores	Soldier's alcohol
1	Restaurant & Cafe Fukiya	Oku Tsukiyo no Shirasagi Junmai Daiginjo
2	Ogawaya Liquor Store	Tenryo Andante
3	Gunpachi Gero Onsen Store	Tenryo Rice Shochu Hiten 25%
4	Shokusaibou Dining Sho	Tenryo Junmai Daiginjo, Award-Winning Sake at the Sake Appraisal Competition
5	Hagi Kei-chan Restaurant	Tenryo Junmai Daiginjo Hidahomare
6	Hoteya	Oku Gold Medal Award Winning Sake Daiginjo
7	Kashiwaya Liquor Store	Tenryo Doburoku (Unrefined Sake)
8	Dango and Yakisoba Norin-ya	Oku Hatsumidori Junmai Daiginjo
9	Café & Izakaya aube	Oku Vodka 55%
10	Meat Broth Shop Shiro	Oku Ryuno Hitomi Junmai Daiginjo

You can compare small sips of high-quality junmai daiginjo sake, enjoy the difference between fruity sake and doburoku (unrefined sake), or compare sake and rice shochu. How you use the four tickets is up to you.

*The brands and contents offered may change. Please check the official website for the latest information.

How to participate in the Gero Masu Sake Walk and the fee

To participate, you will need a smartphone with an internet connection .

1. Purchase a masu (wooden sake cup) set at a participating store.

Scan the purchase QR code at participating stores with your smartphone and purchase a 3,000 yen masu (wooden sake cup) set . You will receive the set on the spot, which includes an original Gero masu and four digital tickets .

The sake cup set is limited to 500 sets. Please purchase it at participating stores, not through online pre-orders.

2. Choose the alcohol you want to drink and go to the store.

While looking at the list of participating stores and map on the official website, choose the drinks you want to try and the stores that interest you.

3. Scan the store's QR code.

Scan the QR code for user authentication located in the store with your smartphone.

4. One digital ticket entitles you to one drink.

Use one digital ticket to receive one free drink of the eligible alcoholic beverage at that establishment.

5. Take home an original sake cup as a souvenir of your trip.

You don't need to return the masu (wooden measuring cup) you used. Take it home as a souvenir from Gero.

Four reasons why I recommend Gero as a travel destination from Taiwan

1. Enjoy hot springs and local sake together.

Gero Onsen is one of Japan's three most famous hot springs. Along with the hot springs at the inns, day-trip bathing, and footbaths, you can enjoy sake made from local water and rice.

2. You can enjoy walking around town even without a car.

The hot spring town is within walking distance from JR Gero Station. Participating shops are scattered throughout the hot spring town, making it an easily accessible event even for individual travelers arriving by train.

3. Experiences that are uniquely Japanese and worth capturing in photographs.

The steam-filled streets, the Hida River, the footbaths, and the wooden sake cups—all are Gero Gero travel scenes. Choosing different drinks to enjoy with friends or your partner would be a delightful experience.

4. You can take home a souvenir that is uniquely yours.

Another great point is that you can take home the original Gero Gero cup used during the experience. Unlike typical souvenirs, it's something you actually used on your trip that will remain as a memento.

Access to Gero Onsen | From Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo

The JR GeroTakayama's "Hida" limited express train stops at JR Gero Station. The hot spring town is within walking distance from the station, and there is a tourist information center in front of the station.

*Train times vary depending on the date of travel, so please be sure to check the latest timetable before you travel.

From Nagoya

From JR Nagoya Station to JR Gero Station, it takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by the Limited Express "Hida" train . You can enjoy the scenery along the Hida River without changing trains.

If you are arriving at Chubu Centrair International Airport from Taiwan, take the Meitetsu train to Nagoya Station (approximately 30 minutes), and then take the Limited Express "Hida" train from Nagoya Station to Gero Station (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes) . Chubu Centrair International Airport is a convenient gateway to Gero Onsen.

From Osaka/ Kyoto area

From JR Osaka Station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya Station (approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour) . Gero at Nagoya Station to the Limited Express "Hida" and travel to Gero Station (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes). Including transfer time, the total journey should take approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours.

If the operating days and times are suitable, you may be able to use the Limited Express "Hida" train from Osaka to Gero. Please check the latest service information.

From Tokyo

From JR Tokyo Station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Nagoya Station, which takes about 1 hour and 40 to 1 hour and 50 minutes . Then, transfer to the Limited Express "Hida" at Nagoya Station and travel to Gero Station, which takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes . Including transfer time, it's best to allow about 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours.

A recommended itinerary is to combine a trip around Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka with a visit to Nagoya, Gero Onsen, and Takayama.

Take a deeper dive into your Japanese travels with hot springs and local sake.

Beyond simply seeing famous tourist spots, experiencing the local flavors and culture that the people have preserved will make your travel memories even more profound.

The Gero Masu Sake Walk is an event where you can stroll through the hot spring town, sample small amounts of sake from two breweries that have been in business for over 300 years, and experience Japan's masu (wooden sake cup) culture.

Why not explore this hot spring town as it transitions from late afternoon to twilight, and find your favorite drink?

Check the Gero Masu Sake Walk official website for details.

Event Basic Information

Event name: Gero Masu Sake Walk
Event Period: September 1st (Tue) - October 31st (Sat), 2026
Operating hours: 13:00-20:00 *Operating hours vary by store Location: 10 participating stores in the Gero City, Gero Prefecture Masu set: 3,000 yen Set contents: 1 Gero original masu, 4 digital tickets, 1 wet wipe Number of sets for sale: Limited to 500 sets Purchase location: Participating stores Required: Smartphone with internet access Organizer: Gero Gero Tourism Association Contact: 0576-24-1000
Official website: https://masusake2026.rc-com.net

*Opening hours and closing days vary depending on the participating store. Please check the official website before visiting.
*No refunds will be given after purchase.
*Drinking alcohol under the age of 20 and drunk driving are prohibited under Japanese law.
*The brands and contents offered may change.