Yoro
Yōrō (養老町 Yōrō-chō) is a small town in southwestern Gifu Prefecture, Japan nestled between the farming land of greater Nagoya and the mountains.
Understand
Yōrō lies at the foot of the mountains and is a popular momiji (autumn colours) viewing spot of central Japan. It is also the region chosen by the architectural duo Arakawa-Ginz to be first turned into their vision of the future.
Understand
Tourist information site
The local tourist association has a Japanese-only guide site.
Get in
Yoro Railway (養老鉄道) operates trains along the Yoro Line that stop in Yoro. To reach the Yoro Line, you can transfer from Ogaki or Kuwana.
Nexco also upkeeps an expressway service area and interchange on the northern fringe of town.
Get around
Walk, or if you are staying over, hop in the courtesy car that most local onsen-resorts provide.
See
Autumn colors and waterfalls in the nearby mountains. Numerous hiking courses exist as well as a chairlift.
- 🌍 Yoro Falls (養老の滝). A picturesque waterfall recognized as one of Japan's top 100 waterfalls. There is a legend that long ago a young man who was supporting his elderly father but was very poor. He lamented that he couldn't even buy sake for his father until one day he smelled sake and went to the waterfall. When he tried the water, he realized it was sake. He took it home to his father and when his father drank the sake, it healed his ailments and made him young again.
Do
- 🌍 Site of Reversible Destiny (養老天命反転地) (In Yōrō Park). Fall on your arse. No, seriously. Although part of a broader, unfinished vision for Yōrō, this site is for all intents and purposes a theme park where the theme is you, yes you, falling on your butt. Its sloped surfaces and utterly bizarre design is intended to disorient visitors. Try not to miss the pitch-black tunnel system on the northwest side, but don't worry, there's no creepy crawlies living in there! The grand artistic vision is essentially that people rely on their physical senses too little and that peoples' lives can be made to revolve around navigating man-made objects (namely their houses). The gift shop stocks helmets. ¥710.
- 🌍 YORO Land (養老ランド), 1155-2 Yoro, ☏ +81 584 32 3456. W-M 09:00-17:00. Classic amusement park since 1974 with inside and outside rides for young kids.
Eat
- Jiyuken (自由軒). A restaurant serving tonkatsu sets.
Sleep
There are a tonne of upmarket onsen resorts a ways north-west of the train station.
- 🌍 Seifuro (清風楼). A local ryokan with nicely decorated rooms and private onsen. The dinners provided feature a variety of dishes featuring seasonal foods. ¥19000-¥20000 for 2+ people (single travelers not accepted).
- 🌍 Senzairou (千歳楼). Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. An ornate, historic inn. Dinners include Hida beef dishes.
Stay safe
Yōrō Park is still open during mild rain, so while it is undoubtedly more fun this way, be careful.