Gero City

While sitting in your air-conditioned room, sheltering from the humidity outside, perhaps the last thing that you would be thinking of doing is sinking into a nice hot bath. It seems somewhat counterproductive, doesn’t it? However, here in Japan, there is a train of thought that says that it the heat of an onsen bath is the perfect remedy for clearing our those sweaty pores and the grime from the daily grind. Which is why, as part of our Day Trips From Nagoya series, we recommend heading out to Gifu Prefecture’s beautiful spa town of Gero, and in particular it’s Festival of Fire. Gero’s Ryujin Fire Festival Taking place from the 1st to 3rd of August every year, the Gero Ryujin Fire Festival is the largest of the city’s fireworks calendar. August 1 According to the Gero legend of “Wankasebuchi,” on the first day of the festival five dragons make their way through the city. The highlight of the event is when these dragons perform original dances, whirling about amongst sparks of fire on the Shirasagi Bridge. August 2 On the second day, mikoshi (portable shrines) are paraded with samba dancing team follow them through the streets of Gero in bright colorful costumes. August 3 The…