Hirayu Onsen is the oldest and one of the most historic hot spring resorts in the Okuhida region of Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture. Situated in a mountainous area at an elevation of approximately 1,283 meters, it is surrounded by the magnificent peaks of the Northern Japan Alps.
The hot spring town features a large bus terminal, with restaurants, souvenir shops, and other visitor facilities lining the surrounding streets. Once a secluded hot spring retreat, Hirayu Onsen has developed into an important transportation hub connecting visitors with popular destinations such as Mount Norikura, Kamikochi, Shinhotaka, and Takayama. In recent years, it has also become increasingly popular with international travelers.
Hirayu Onsen can also be enjoyed as part of a wider tour of the Okuhida Hot Spring Villages, which include Fukuchi Onsen, Shin-Hirayu Onsen, Tochio Onsen, and Shinhotaka Onsen.
Hirayu Onsen has approximately 40 natural hot spring sources, producing around 13,000 liters of hot water per minute. Its abundant waters come in a variety of types, including bicarbonate, chloride, simple, and sulfur springs.
The waters have traditionally been used for bathing and are believed to help relieve various ailments, including digestive disorders, rheumatism, nervous conditions, and skin problems.
The streets of Hirayu Onsen are lined with traditional inns, hotels, public bathhouses, footbaths, and souvenir shops. At the entrance to the town is Hirayu no Mori, a popular facility offering day-use bathing as well as accommodation.
Hirayu no Mori features 16 different outdoor baths, each with its own water characteristics and temperature. Visitors can relax in the hot springs, unwind in a traditional gassho-style thatched-roof rest area, or stroll along paths through the surrounding natural forest.
The on-site restaurant serves regional specialties such as handmade soba noodles and Hida beef grilled on an iron plate. During winter, seasonal wild boar hot pot is also available. The grounds feature a lighthouse-inspired structure called Mori no Todai, with a footbath located beneath it.
There are four public bathhouses in the hot spring town. A little farther away, nestled in the mountains and surrounded by trees, is Kami no Yu, an outdoor bath regarded as the birthplace of Hirayu Onsen. Its rustic setting offers a peaceful, secluded bathing experience away from the main streets.
A statue of Fudo Myoo, a Buddhist deity, stands nearby. The area is also associated with a legend about a white monkey that guided the forces of Takeda Shingen to the hot springs during the Sengoku period (1467–1615).
Located at the foot of Mount Norikura at an elevation of approximately 1,250 meters, Hirayu Onsen is regarded as the oldest hot spring resort in Okuhida. According to local tradition, its history dates back to the Sengoku period.
One famous legend tells of soldiers in the army of Takeda Shingen who suffered from poisonous volcanic gases while campaigning in Hida. A white monkey is said to have appeared and led them to the hot springs, where they could recover. This story remains an important part of the area’s folklore.
During the Edo period (1603–1868), feudal lords traveling between their domains and Edo under the system of alternate attendance are said to have stopped at Hirayu. The hot springs subsequently flourished as a place for recuperation and therapeutic bathing.
The surrounding area offers several attractions where visitors can experience local history, culture, and nature.
The hot spring town extends from Hirayu Bus Terminal toward the Abo Pass area along National Route 158. The terminal is a major transportation hub for exploring the surrounding mountains and hot spring destinations.
Hirayu Onsen is also located near the Gifu Prefecture entrance to the Abo Tunnel, which connects Gifu and Nagano prefectures. This location makes it a convenient base for travelers exploring the Northern Japan Alps, including those arriving from the Kanto region.
With its abundant hot spring waters, mountain scenery, traditional bathing facilities, and fascinating local legends, Hirayu Onsen offers a memorable introduction to the Okuhida region. Visitors can enjoy outdoor baths surrounded by forests, savor Hida’s regional cuisine, and use the town as a base for exploring some of central Japan’s most spectacular alpine landscapes.