A Gastronomy Trip to Southern Hida from Gero Onsen | Gandate Gorge, Sake Breweries, Tomatoes, and Local Cuisine

2026.11.03

Step outside of Gero Onsen and embark on a journey through the food and landscapes of Southern Hida. From the Gandate Gorge formed by the lava of Mount Ontake, to tours and tastings at two sake breweries that have been in operation for over 300 years, to a tomato farm, and a lunch of local cuisine. We also introduce day trips with guides and private vehicles.

Gero Onsen is a famous hot spring town, counted among Japan's three most renowned hot springs. But in the southern Hida region surrounding it, there is a culinary story that is still relatively unknown.

It all began with the land and water nurtured by Mount Ontake (Ontakesan). That water nourishes the rice and sake, cultivates the vegetables in the fields, and creates the food for the local people.

This article introduces everything from the lava-formed Gandate Gorge to two sake breweries that have been in business for over 300 years, a local cuisine lunch, and a tomato farm. Why not venture a little further from the hot spring town and discover another side of Gero?

*The featured image is for illustrative purposes only.

Southern Hida's gastronomy begins with "a single drop of water."

The term "gastronomy" might sound complicated, but here, think of it as "experiencing the local climate and culture through food."

Southern Hida, including Gero, is a land that spreads out at the foot of Mount Ontake. The land was formed by lava flows from ancient volcanic eruptions, and the rain and snow that seeped into it have become pure spring water and rivers.

The sake brewed with this water. The sweet tomatoes nurtured by the temperature difference between day and night. The dishes made with local rice and ingredients. All of these flavors are only possible because of this land and water.

"Why did this flavor originate in this land?"

A gastronomic journey through Southern Hida traces the answer back to nature, agriculture, food, sake, and the producers.

Gandate Gorge | A story of land and water created by the lava of Mount Ontake

The journey begins at Gandate Gorge in Osaka-cho, Gero City. We'll start by seeing with our own eyes the "land and water" that support the food of southern Hida.

The massive rock face known as "Gandate" was formed approximately 54,000 years ago when lava flowed out during a massive eruption of Mount Ontake and cooled and solidified.
It is 72 meters high and 120 meters wide. Columnar cracks formed when the lava cooled create a vertical chain of rock columns. It is designated as a natural monument of Gifu Prefecture .

From Gandate Park on the opposite bank, a 600-meter-long walking trail leads to Mitsutaki Falls, which cascades down in three stages. The combination of rocky cliffs, a clear stream, waterfalls, and forests creates a stunning spectacle. Selected as one of the 33 best autumn foliage spots in Hida and Mino, the combination of the large rock face and autumn leaves is particularly magnificent.

As you walk along, listening to the guide's explanations, the scenery before you transforms into a story about "where the water of this land comes from." The story of water you learn here will connect to what you experience later at the sake brewery and on the dinner table.

[Gandate Gorge (Gandate Park)] Address: Ochiai, Osaka-cho, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture / Hours: Open for strolling / Closed: The city road to Gandate Park is closed from mid-December to the end of March due to freezing / Donation: Donations are accepted to help maintain the natural environment and walking trails (free for junior high school students and younger) / Access: Approximately 40 minutes by car from the area around Gero Station, approximately 15-20 minutes by car from JR Hida-Osaka Station

*The walking path includes stairs and slippery areas, so please wear comfortable shoes.

Tenryo Sake Brewery | A sake brewery in Hagiwara that uses groundwater from Mount Ontake.

After learning about the formation of the land and water at Gandate Gorge, the next step is to explore the sake made from that water. Located in Hagiwara, a town that flourished as a post town on the Hida Highway, is Tenryo Sake Brewery.

Founded in 1680 (Enpo 8), the brewery's name, "Tenryo," originates from the fact that Hida was a territory directly controlled by the Tokugawa shogunate (Tenryo). It is a leading sake brewery in the region, having won gold medals at domestic and international competitions.

The brewing water used is groundwater from the Ontake mountain range. The sake rice used is "Hidahomare" from Gifu Prefecture , and the sake is made with soft water, resulting in a gentle, smooth taste.

Take a tour of the brewery and enjoy a tasting.

During the tour, you'll be given a guided tour of the historic brewery and learn about the sake-making process and the well from which the brewing water is drawn. The "water" you saw at Gandate Gorge becomes a glass of sake here. It's a moment where the story of your journey comes together.

After the tour, it's time for a tasting. Compare seasonal sakes and representative brands to find your favorite.

[Tenryo Sake Brewery] Address: 1289-1 Hagiwara, Hagiwara-cho, Gero City , Gifu Prefecture / Business Hours: Weekdays 9:00-16:30, Saturdays 10:00-16:00, Sundays 10:00-15:30 / Closed: Irregular holidays, New Year holidays / Brewery Tours: Reservations required / Access: Approximately 5 minutes on foot from JR Hida-Hagiwara Station

*Tasting is for those 20 years of age and older. Those who will be driving are not permitted to participate in the tasting.

Butai Pass Farms | Enjoy local cuisine for lunch at the eastern gateway to Hida.

For lunch, we'll head to Butai Pass, also known as the "eastern gateway to Hida." We'll enjoy a meal featuring local rice and ingredients at Butai Pass Tourist Farms , located along National Route 257.

The story of the land and water that we've followed since morning comes to life here at the dinner table. The star of lunch is Keichan, a local dish from Gero. Chicken and vegetables such as cabbage are grilled in a special sauce, a home-style dish that has been loved by locals for a long time.

The rice cooked in the pot is "Gin no Mikazuki," a Hida rice grown with significant temperature differences and pure water. This special rice, a source of pride for Hida, has even won first place in a rice competition. The freshly cooked rice pairs perfectly with the savory sauce of the Keichan. This is a bowl of rice that can only be made possible by the water and temperature differences of this region.

The facility also houses one of the largest shops in Hida in terms of sales area. A wide variety of Hida's specialty products are on display, and you can also buy fresh local vegetables at the JA Hida direct sales store. Choosing souvenirs after your meal is another enjoyable part of your trip.

[Butai Pass Tourist Farms] Address: 518-3 Mimayano, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture / Business Hours: Shop 8:00-17:00 (may vary depending on the season), Restaurant 9:00-15:00 (Last Order 14:00) / Closed: New Year holidays, irregular closures / Access: Approximately 15 minutes from Gero Onsen via National Route 257

Tochimoto Farm | Discover tomatoes grown with significant temperature fluctuations and meet the producers.

Located in the same Mimayano district as Butai Pass is Tochimoto Farm . We're now going to meet the people who cultivate the bounty of Southern Hida that we enjoyed on our dinner table.

In fact, Gero is a production area for "summer-autumn tomatoes," which are harvested from summer to autumn. It is said that cultivation for commercial sale began in Gero around 1964, and the "rain-shelter cultivation" method, where tomatoes are grown in greenhouses to protect them from rain, also spread from Gero.

The cool climate, the significant temperature difference between day and night, and the abundant water – here too, the natural environment of southern Hida nurtures the flavor. At Tochimoto Farm, they grow fruit tomatoes the size of a golf ball. These tiny fruits are packed with sweetness, and as their name suggests, they taste like fruit.

One of the unique aspects of this trip is being able to hear directly from the producers about their cultivation methods and their dedication to taste. Depending on the season, you can also enjoy a harvesting experience.

Okuhida Sake Brewery | A sake brewery with a 300-year history in Kanayama , on the border of Hida and Mino provinces.

To conclude our trip, we visited another sake brewery: Okuhida Sake Brewery in Kanayama Town, Gero City, which has been brewing sake since 1720.

Kanayama is a town located on the border of Hida and Mino provinces. Situated between the Maze River and Hida River, it is surrounded by abundant water year-round. The brewing water is medium-hard water, resulting in sake with a different character from that of Tenryo Sake Brewery in Hagiwara. Even within southern Hida, the water changes, and so does the sake. Visiting both breweries will allow you to taste the difference for yourself.

Brewery tour and tasting, allowing you to experience its history dating back to the Edo period.

The main building, which is approximately 190 years old, is designated as an important historical building in Gero City. During the brewery tour, a guide will explain exhibits such as account books from the Edo period and lead you to the sake brewery where the tanks are lined up.

Finally, you can compare different types of sake. Try to find your favorite from our representative brands, "Okuhida" and "Hatsumidori."

[Okuhida Sake Brewery] Address: 1984 Kanayama, Kanayama Town, Gero City, Gifu Prefecture / Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM / Closed: Irregularly / Brewery Tours: Reservations required / Access: Approximately 10-15 minutes on foot from JR Hida-Kanayama Station, approximately 20-30 minutes by car from Gero Onsen town via National Route 41

*Tasting is for those 20 years of age and older. Those who will be driving are not permitted to participate in the tasting.

A guided and private car tour of Gero and Southern Hida gastronomy.

All the spots I've introduced so far are located a little distance from the hot spring town. It would be quite difficult to get around using only public transportation. Moreover, if you want to enjoy sake tasting at a sake brewery, you won't be able to drive.

If that sounds like you, we recommend the "Gero& Southern Hida Gastronomy Tour," which takes you around with a guide and in a private car. Starting from Gero Station, you'll travel through the area in one day, following the story from land to water to sake to food to agriculture to people.

With a guide's explanations, you can see the "why" behind the scenery and the drink. It's a trip where you can also enjoy conversations with the producers. Of course, it's also recommended to choose the spots that interest you and explore at your own pace.

Model Route (Starting and ending at Gero Station, approximately 8 hours)

Morning : Departure from Gero Station (private car and guide) → Gandate Gorge (the story of the land and water nurtured by Mount Ontake) → Tenryo Sake Brewery (tour and tasting)
Lunch : Butai Pass Farms (local cuisine lunch)
Afternoon : Tochimoto Farm (tomatoes and interaction with producers) → Okuhida Sake Brewery (tour and tasting) → Arrive at Gero Station in the evening.

*The order and content of visits are approximate. They may change depending on the availability of services and road conditions.

FAQ

Q. Can I participate while staying at Gero Onsen?

A. Yes. The tour is a day trip departing from and returning to Gero Station. It's perfect as an extra day for those staying multiple nights in Gero Onsen.

Q. Can I still enjoy myself even if I don't drink alcohol?

A. Yes. You can enjoy yourself just by looking at the historic buildings and learning about sake brewing at the brewery. There are also stunning views of Gandate Gorge, lunch options, and a farm, so even those who don't drink alcohol can enjoy themselves. Please note that sake tasting is for those 20 years of age and older.

Q. What season is recommended?

A. Gandate Gorge is especially beautiful during the fresh green season and the autumn foliage season, with the best time to see the autumn leaves being typically from late October to early November. However, it is closed for the winter from mid-December to the end of March. The farm experiences vary depending on the season and growing conditions.

Q. Do I need to wear comfortable clothing for walking?

A. The walking trails in Gandate Gorge have stairs and slippery areas, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

"Another day" in Gero Onsen: Explore the food and land of Southern Hida

The land and water created by Mount Ontake. The sake born from that water. The food served on the table, and the tomatoes nurtured by the temperature differences.

If you connect and trace each individual spot, you will naturally understand "why this flavor originated in this place."

If you visit Gero Onsen, be sure to take a step outside the hot spring town. The local flavors and encounters with the people who create them will surely become the most memorable part of your trip.