About | Access | Area Map | Attractions
About
Ikaho Onsen (伊香保温泉) is a hot springs town about 2-3 hours from Tokyo and one of the large four most famous hot spring towns in Gunma Prefecture (the four largest being Ikaho Onsen, Kusatsu Onsen, Minakami Onsen and Shima Onsen). It is located near the city of Takasaki and sits on the eastern slopes of Mount Haruna an extinct volcano. Ikaho Onsen has a high reputation with the Japanese as a great place to go for relaxation and detox with it's reddish brown, iron-laden thermal waters (due to the iron content in the water, the water turns a dark reddish brown color when in contact with the air). Not only is it famous for it's hot spring waters, the old atmospheric town of Ikaho is also well known for the "Ikaho Stone Steps", 300 meter long stone stairs (365 steps) in the center of town that lead up to the top of the main hill. The Ikaho Stone Steps are lined with souvenir shops, ryokan, old fashioned game arcades and restaurants. Half way up the steps there is a free "Foot Bath" (in Japanese; Ashiyu) and at the very top of the Ikano Stone Steps is a quaint little shrine, Ikaho Shrine, that was founded over 1000 years ago. Ikaho Onsen is a small town and you can get to most the attractions by just walking. If your staying in town call and check to see if your ryokan or hotel can pick you up at the main bus stop, especially if you have luggage. Most of the ryokan and hotels offer this service for free, some of the larger hotels will even pick up patrons at Shibukawa Station.
The Ikaho Open Air Bath (in Japanese; Ikaho Onsen Routenburo 伊香保温泉露天風呂) is probably the most well known aspect of this little town and is a short walk from the town center. Although most ryokan and hotel have their own hot springs, the Ikaho Open Air Bath has been a public bath in the area for centuries. In the old days the Open Air Bath was truly "Open" with no walls and a male/female shared bath but during modern times (for various reasons), unfortunately they had to wall it up and separate the sexes. There is NO soap or towels so you must bring your own or buy when you arrive. Both the male and female areas contain a large bath which is separated into two sections, a gold colored water section and a silver colored water section. Each bath has different healing qualities. The "Healing Properties" of the Ikaho Open Air Bath were known as a way to help women conceive children during the Edo Period and women with fertility problems were taken and "treated" in the hot springs. Because of this reputation, many women visit the hot springs to benefit from it's mystical powers. A final nice feature is the observation area where you can see the source of the hot spring water.
Brief History: The little town of Ikaho was established by warlord (Daimyou) Takeda Shingen (1521 - 1573) of the Takeda Clan during Japan's "Warring States" Era (Sengoku Jidai). With the natural hot springs in the area, it was the perfect place to rest his soldiers and heal their wounds in the rejuvenating thermal waters. His "Rest Encampment" eventually became the town center of Ikaho Onsen.
Access
from Tokyo
- by Train
- Shinkansen > Local > Bus - from Tokyo Station. Costs around 6,000 yen and takes about 2-3 hours.
If you have a JR Pass this is probably the best option. You can get to Shibukawa using the JR Pass and then ride the bus to Ikaho. The bus ride from Shibukawa to Ikaho takes approximately 20 min. - Ltd. Express > Bus - from Ueno Station. Costs around 5,500 yen and takes about 2-3 hours.
If you don't have a JR Pass this is probably the best option. You can get to Shibukawa without having to transfer. The bus ride from Shibukawa to Ikaho takes approximately 20 min. - Local > Local > Bus - from Ueno Station. Costs around 3,500 yen and takes about 3-4 hours.
Although you can use your JR Pass, this is the slowest method but if you don't have a JR Pass, this is the cheapest way to get to Ikaho by train from the Tokyo/Ueno stations.
- Shinkansen > Local > Bus - from Tokyo Station. Costs around 6,000 yen and takes about 2-3 hours.
- by Bus
- Highway Bus - from Shinjuku. Costs around 2,500 yen and takes about 2-3 hours.
The JR Pass cannot be used but the highway bus is a very convenient way to get to Ikaho. No transfers and cheap.
- Highway Bus - from Shinjuku. Costs around 2,500 yen and takes about 2-3 hours.
Area Map
Attractions
Here is a list of some of the top Attractions in & nearby Ikaho Onsen.
Open Air Bath
Hours: April to September 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., October to March 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Closed: 1st & 3rd Thursday each month (execpt holidays)
Admission Cost: 450 yen
The Ikaho Onsen Open Air Bath (伊香保温泉露天風呂) is the "Main Attraction" in Ikaho. Although it is kind of small, it has a long history of soothing, relaxing and healing powers. This bath was one used by ancient warriors hundreds of years ago. Soak in the "real" Ikaho Onsen iron filled waters that come directly from deep below. No amenities are provided. You must bring your own towel/shampoo/soap or purchase.
Kajika Bridge
Hours: N/A
Closed: N/A
Admission Cost: free
Kajika Bridge (河鹿橋) is along the walkway to the Open Air Bath. It is one of those bridges you may see in "Beautiful Photographs of Japan". Depending on the season, the scenery around and including this bridge can be very beautiful (although quite stark in the winter). Also, other man-made objects may deter from the beauty of the bridge so finding a good shot location can be challenging. The bridge is an arched, red Japanese bridge and can be seen in many Japanese TV drama series throughout the years... therefore popular with Japanese tourists as well. A Hot Spring stream runs under Kajika Bridge and because of the iron content is dark brown / reddish in color.
Stone Steps
Hours: N/A
Closed: N/A
Admission Cost: free
The Ikaho "Stone Steps" (伊香保 石段街) are also famous with the Japanese and are featured in many travel guides throughout Japan. They lead to the top of the main hill and the Ikaho Shrine and are lined by nostalgic "old time" shops. Be sure to try various foods that are for sale along the street as you are bound to find something interesting that tastes good! Also there are a few nostalgic type carnival/arcade games. Don't hesitate to give them a try and have fun!
Foot Bath
Hours: N/A
Closed: N/A
Admission Cost: free
About two thirds of the way up the Stone Steps is a Japanese foot bath (岸権 辰の湯). Japanese love foot baths and at this spot your can rest your weary feet.
Ikaho Shrine
Hours: Early morning to evening
Closed: No closing days
Admission Cost: free
At the very top of the Stone Steps is Ikaho Shrine (伊香保神社). It's just a small little quaint Shinto Shrine usually quiet and not many people there. From the shrine there are various trails that lead around and up the larger mountain to the back (which the Ikaho Ropeway ascends to). If your up for a walk through the forest, it takes 40 min. to an hour to reach the top by walking trail.
Ishidan No Yu
Hours: April to October 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., November to March 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Closed: 2nd & 4th Tuesday each month (except holidays)
Admission Cost: 410 yen
Ishidan No Yu (伊香保温泉 石段の湯) is a Public Onsen that anybody can enter. Men and Women baths are separate and there is a mid-sized bath for each. The water is of course the famous "Ikaho hot springs" water and therefore dark brown / reddish in color because of the iron. Even if you have an onsen at your hotel, be sure to experience and enjoy this type of traditional Japanese public bath.
Checkpoint
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: (various)
Admission Cost: free
The Checkpoint (Ikaho Sekisho; 伊香保関所) is a historical reconstructed building that in the old days (Edo Period) controlled traffic along a highway connecting Gunma with Niigata. During those times checkpoints like these were used as a means of restricting travel. Travelers were required to stop and show travel permits. There is a little display inside explaining a bit about Ikaho's history and traditional Japanese uniforms and clothing, hand-printed passes, documents, weapons and other relics of the time.
Villa of the Minister of the Kingdom of Hawaii
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed: (various)
Admission Cost: free
The Villa of the Minister of the Kingdom of Hawaii (ハワイ王国公使別邸) was built during the Meiji Period (1868 to 1912), when Hawaii was still an independent nation (Kingdom of Hawaii, 1795 to 1899). There is a small museum next to the actual building that describes the relationship between the town and Hawaii. At the time, Japan was trying very hard to pull Hawaii into Japan as a prefecture and become part of the nation of Japan.
Ikaho Hoshina Art Museum
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Last Entry until 5:00 p.m.)
Closed: No closing days
Admission Cost: 1,000 yen
Ikaho Hoshina Art Museum (保科美術館) is about a 10 minute walk from the base of the "Stone Steps" in Ikaho. The museum displays primarily art work by Takehisa Yumeji but also variety of modern Japanese artists and art nouveau glass-work. There is a nice little footbath to soak your aching feet after standing and looking at the artwork. You can also catch a nice cup of coffee in the cafe and take in nice views of the surrounding mountains.
Takehisa Yumeji Museum
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (until 5:00 p.m. from December to February)
Closed: No closing days
Admission Cost: 1,728 yen yen
Takehisa Yumeji Museum (竹久夢二伊香保記念館) is about a 10 minute walk from the base of the "Stone Steps" in Ikaho. Like the Ikaho Hoshina Art Museum this museum also displays a large selection of art from Takehisa Yumeji. There are also antique music boxes that are played at times during the day and a selection of Taisho and Meiji era glasswork (in a separate building)
