Ikaho

The traditional onsen town of Ikaho centers on a picturesque stone stairway. Small shops, restaurants, and ryokan inns cluster around the steps, creating a cozy atmosphere. Beyond the baths, attractions in Ikaho include shrines, museums, and shops selling onsen manju—a steamed bun filled with red bean paste that the town claims originated here.

Ikaho has a long history, which can be traced back to around 759 CE, when it was mentioned in the Manyoshu, Japan's oldest surviving collection of poems.

The town is known for having two types of onsen water: Kogane no Yu ("golden water"), where high iron content gives the water a brownish-red hue, and Shirogane no Yu ("silver water"), which comes from a newly discovered spring. Nearby, hike Mt. Haruna or go boating at its crater lake, Lake Haruna.

See & Do

Nature & Outdoors

Mt. Haruna

Mt. Haruna (1,449 meters) makes for a photogenic hike. Walk through bamboo grass and forests to the peak in around an hour, or take the gondola. Visit Harunafuji-jinja Shrine at the summit, from which you can see as far as Mt. Fuji on a clear day. Alternatively, try boating at the mountain’s 1,100-meter-high crater lake, Lake Haruna.

Relaxation

Ikaho Open-Air Bath

Don’t miss Ikaho’s flagship outdoor onsen bath (rotenburo), where you can take a dip while enjoying the fresh air on your skin. The warm water pours into the baths directly from the source, and legend has it that the water promotes female fertility. There are separate baths for men and women.

History & Culture

Ikaho-jinja Shrine

This 9th-century shrine sits at the top of the steps that form the center of Ikaho Onsen. Take in the verdant scenery surrounding Ikaho-jinja Shrine and views across the town. It is said locally that climbing the 365 stone steps to the shrine leads to good luck. The shops and cafes that line the stairs provide a welcome rest along the way.

History & Culture

Haruna-jinja Shrine

Haruna-jinja Shrine was built around the rocks of Mt. Haruna. The shrine, said to be around 1,400 years old, was a place to worship the deities of water, fire, and agriculture. Over the years, it has become a place to pray for business and marriage prosperity, too. This dramatic-looking shrine is surrounded by cedar forests, unusual rock formations, and a peaceful stream.

Nature & Outdoors

Kajika Bridge

This vermillion bridge is close to the town's spring source a short walk from the iconic stone steps. The scenery surrounding this quintessentially Japanese bridge changes dramatically with the seasons. It is particularly popular in autumn when surrounded by a spectrum of colorful leaves, and in summer when its red pops against the lush green of the maple trees.

When to Visit

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

March-May
Take a dip in the Ikaho Open-Air Bath and enjoy Ikaho’s spring greenery from the mineral-rich waters. See 1,500 cherry trees that bloom at Ikaho Green Bokujo, a working farm where you can interact with the animals, or hike through Nagamine Park, where vivid yamatsutsuji azaleas bloom across the foothills of Mt. Haruna from mid to late May.

Getting Around

Ikaho is compact, and the town's signature stone staircase connects most of its main sights. If you plan on exploring the wider area, the Shibukawa Ikaho Area Pass is a two-day bus pass (Adults 1,500 yen; children 6-12 years 750 yen) with extensive coverage of the locality.

Renting a Car

Consider renting a car to unlock rewarding sights and activities outside the town. There are no rental car outlets in Ikaho, so rent at Shibukawa Station or Takasaki Station and drive the final stretch. Be warned that in winter, roads can freeze, and the streets in Ikaho Onsen are narrow and sloping.

*You will need a valid driving license for Japan, such as an International Driving Permit (IDP) or legal translation of your license, depending on which country issued your license.

Travel Tips

Ikaho has a fairly temperate climate. The coldest month is February when low temperatures dip to -3 degrees Celsius. August is the warmest month, with average highs of around 30 degrees.

There are a handful of convenience stores in the vicinity of Ikaho Onsen, each of which has an ATM. However, it may be a good idea to withdraw cash elsewhere before you arrive in the town. Around Mt. Haruna, there are almost no ATM facilities.

Gunma Prefectural Haruna Park Visitor Center provides information about Mt. Haruna and the surrounding area. Within Ikaho itself, most accommodations can provide information about nearby sights and activities.

There are coin-operated luggage lockers conveniently located at the bottom of Ikaho’s stone steps. For a small fee, Shibukawa Ekimae Plaza will deliver your luggage directly to your accommodation.

Most hotels provide free Wi-Fi, but if you want to be connected at all times, buy a pre-paid SIM card or organize a pocket Wi-Fi rental on arrival in Japan.