Kikusui Spring
Kikusui Spring is fed by mineral-rich water flowing from the Yoro Mountains. It has been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Famous Waters and is located within the grounds of Yoro Shrine.
According to tradition, Empress Genshō washed her hands and face in the spring and found that her skin became more beautiful and her pain eased. The spring is also closely associated with the legend of Yoro’s filial son, in which the water miraculously turns into sake.
Yoroji Temple
Yoroji Temple is traditionally said to have been founded by Gengennai, the devoted son featured in the Yoro filial piety legend. Visitors come here to pray for longevity and good health. The temple is the 25th pilgrimage site on the West Mino Thirty-Three Kannon Sacred Sites pilgrimage route.
The temple’s treasure hall houses several important Buddhist works, including a standing statue of the Eleven-Headed Thousand-Armed Kannon, designated a national cultural property, and a standing statue of Fudō Myōō, designated a cultural property of Gifu Prefecture.
Yoro Shrine
Yoro Shrine stands amid the natural beauty of the area, with the famous Kikusui Spring bubbling up within its grounds. The shrine is associated with prayers for longevity, academic achievement, and the fulfillment of learning.
The exact date of its founding is unknown, but its origins are believed to date back to the Yōrō era (717–724) or later, based on its connection with Gengennai and the legend of filial piety. The story was recorded in the medieval Japanese collection Kokon Chomonjū, compiled during the Kamakura period, and has long been passed down as a lesson in honoring one’s parents.
According to shrine tradition, it was originally worshipped as a shrine dedicated to prayers for rain and other wishes. It was also known as Kikusui Tenjin and Yoro Tenjin.
In 1504, Sugawara no Michizane, the deity associated with scholarship, was enshrined alongside the existing deity, and the shrine was renamed Yoro Tenjin. During the early Meiji period (1868–1912), nearby sites associated with Empress Genshō and Emperor Shōmu were relocated and enshrined here. The shrine subsequently became known as Yoro Shrine.
Yoro Seseragi Street and Yoro Kōshi Slope
Yoro Seseragi Street extends eastward from Myōken Hall and is particularly beautiful in autumn, when the surrounding trees turn brilliant shades of red and gold. Located slightly off the main route to Yoro Falls, the street offers a quieter place to stroll and enjoy the seasonal scenery.
Yoro Kōshi Slope is a walking path along the left bank of Takidani Valley that leads toward the waterfall. Restaurants and souvenir shops line the route, making it a convenient place to take a break during the walk.
Visitors can browse local specialties, including traditional gourd-shaped souvenirs, Yoro cider, and freshly grilled dumplings. These small shops add to the nostalgic charm of the approach to the falls.
Interactive Art and Children’s Attractions
Yoro Park offers more than natural scenery and historic sites. Visitors can also explore Site of Reversible Destiny – Yoro Park, an interactive art facility that challenges conventional perceptions of space and movement.
The park also includes Children’s Land, with playground equipment and recreational facilities. These attractions make Yoro Park an enjoyable destination for visitors of all ages throughout the year.
The Legend of the Filial Son of Yoro
Long ago, in Mino Province, there lived a poor young man named Gengennai. Every day, he left his elderly father at home and went into the mountains to gather firewood. He sold the firewood to buy rice and sake for his father, who was blind and regarded sake as his greatest pleasure.
One day, while gathering firewood in the mountains, Gengennai stumbled and fell asleep. In his dream, he sensed the sweet aroma of sake. When he awoke, he discovered a spring bubbling with fragrant sake instead of ordinary water.
Overjoyed, he collected some of the miraculous liquid and brought it home to his father. To his astonishment, his father’s eyesight, which had been impaired, was restored.
News of the extraordinary spring quickly spread, attracting visitors from far and wide. Eventually, the story reached the imperial court. In recognition of his devotion to his father, Gengennai was appointed governor of Mino Province.
The legend continues with a journey into the Yoro Mountains. From the area around the waterfall, travelers can climb toward Mount Ogura, where views open across the Nōbi Plain and toward Mount Ibuki and Mount Ena. Although the summit of Mount Yoro is largely obscured by trees, the autumn landscape of the Nōbi Plain is especially beautiful.
The Water of Youth and the Origin of the Name Yoro
In 717, during the Nara period, stories about miraculous rejuvenating water in Mino Province reached the imperial capital. Empress Genshō traveled to the area to see the spring for herself.
Because the water was believed to restore vitality and help people care for the elderly, the era name was changed to Yōrō, meaning a place or period associated with nourishing and caring for the aged. The name later became associated with the surrounding area.
The Yōrō era lasted from 717 to 724. Empress Genshō is said to have visited the area again in 718, and Emperor Shōmu also visited in 740. These imperial visits helped establish Yoro’s reputation as a place blessed with extraordinary water and a rich cultural heritage.