Last updated: March 28, 2024
Halfway up Mt. Haruna, Ikaho Onsen is an ideal base for exploring the natural beauty of Ikaho. Ikaho Onsen is famous for its Kogane no Yu ("golden water") and Shirogane no Yu ("silver water") hot springs. Nearby, hike Mt. Haruna-Fuji which is one of the peaks of Mt. Haruna, or go boating at the crater lake, Lake Haruna. Easily accessible from Tokyo, reaching Ikaho typically involves a combination of express train and bus, or a direct highway bus.
You can reach Ikaho in under 2 and a half hours by train and bus from Ueno Station. Limited Express trains run from Ueno Station to Shibukawa. From there, you can take a bus to Ishidangaiguchi Bus Stop in the heart of the onsen town. Alternatively, you can take a shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Takasaki Station. From Takasaki, transfer to a local Agatsuma Line or Joetsu Line train bound for Shibukawa Station, then take a bus to Ishidangaiguchi Bus Stop.
Ueno Station is a major transportation hub in northern Tokyo for trains heading to Gunma and the northern region of Japan. You can board local trains, express and limited express trains, and the Hokuriku and Joetsu shinkansen services at Ueno Station.
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The Limited Express Kusatsu-Shima from Ueno Station reaches Shibukawa Station in around 1 hour and 40 minutes. Note that all seats are reserved. The train is covered by the JR TOKYO Wide Pass and JR EAST Pass, and others.
Trains departing from both Ueno Station and Takasaki Station have direct services to Shibukawa Station. You can also transfer at Shibukawa Station to the Agatsuma Line for Shima Onsen and Kusatsu Onsen, or the Joetsu Line for Minakami Onsen.
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From Shibukawa Station, take a bus (Kan-etsu Transportation) bound for Ikaho Onsen. Buses to Ikaho depart from Bus Stop No.3, in front of the station. The journey takes around 25 minutes. You can pay the fare in cash or with a transportation IC card as you exit the bus.
The bus stop is right in front of the iconic stone steps that lead up through the onsen town. Near the bus stop you can find convenient coin lockers and toilets, as well as a Tourism Information Corner with information pamphlets.
For a convenient and cost-effective journey to Ikaho, consider taking a highway bus from Tokyo Station. The Kan-etsu Transportation Ikaho Shima Onsen Go Haneda Line departs from Tokyo Station to Ishidangaiguchi Bus Stop. The journey takes around 3 hours, with rest stops along the way. Buses also depart from Haneda Airport Garden Bus Terminal. The trip from Haneda takes around 3 hours and 40 minutes. Alternatively, the JR Bus Kanto Joshu Yumeguri Go departs from Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku) to Ishidangaiguchi Bus Stop.
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Buses from Tokyo to Ishidangaiguchi Bus Stop depart from JR Expressway Bus Boarding Dock (Tokyo Station Yaesu South Exit). Both Kan-Etsu Transportation and JR Bus Kanto have services from Tokyo Station. Buy your ticket online or from a travel agency up to one month before you travel. You can also buy tickets for the JR Bus Kanto Joshu Yumeguri Go at the ticket machines near the bus boarding area.
The bus stop is right in front of the iconic stone steps that lead up through the onsen town. Near the bus stop you can find convenient coin lockers and toilets, as well as a Tourism Information Corner with information pamphlets.
You can use the JR Tokyo Wide Pass, JR East Pass, and other JR passes for trains on this route. However, bus fares must be paid separately. Within Shibukawa and Ikaho you can use the Shibukawa Ikaho Area Pass on buses to Ikaho Onsen and surrounding tourist spots. You can buy the pass at Shibukawa-Ekimae Plaza in front of Shibukawa Station. There are many passes and travel combinations to discover, so use the links below to find your ideal travel plan.
- JR East Pass
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass
- Japan Rail Pass
- JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
- Information on the Limited Express Kusatsu-Shima
- Information on the Shibukawa Ikaho Area Pass
There are coin-operated luggage lockers located at the bottom of Ikaho’s stone steps. For a small fee, Shibukawa-Ekimae Plaza will deliver your luggage directly to your accommodation. Learn more about this service here.
Save time and purchase train tickets and passes, and reserve seats online, before you travel.
You can buy expressway bus tickets online for up to one month before you travel. Find information about Kan-etsu Transportation bus services here.
