Ikaho Onsen, one of Gunma Prefecture’s most famous hot springs, is a popular tourist destination with good access from the city center, enjoyable for both day trips and overnight stays. While many might picture the nostalgic scenery of the stone steps, it actually holds a deep history dating back to the Sengoku period and numerous hidden, fascinating attractions.
This article introduces carefully selected tourist spots recommended not only for first-time visitors to Ikaho but also for repeat travelers. We’ve compiled real information that travelers truly want to know, from the historical background of each famous site to tips for navigating the area smoothly and avoiding crowds.
Ikaho Onsen Stone Steps
📍 Address: 76-5 Ikaho, Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa, Gunma 377-0102, Japan
The symbol of Ikaho Onsen is the ‘Stone Steps,’ a 365-step stairway leading up to Ikaho Shrine at its summit. Lined with traditional shooting galleries, souvenir shops, and long-established stores said to be the origin of ‘onsen manju’ (hot spring steamed buns) across Japan, these steps embody the wish for the hot spring town to be bustling 365 days a year. Walking along them offers a unique, timeless experience. In recent years, it has also gained attention as a pilgrimage site for the popular manga ‘Dandadan,’ drawing crowds of younger generations and international tourists.
In fact, these stone steps are more than just a pathway. Their history dates back to the Sengoku period. Following his defeat in the Battle of Nagashino in 1575, Takeda Katsuyori ordered his skilled general, Sanada Masayuki, to develop this area as a recuperation site for injured soldiers. They constructed steps on the slope and laid a ‘yudoi’ (hot spring conduit) in the center, through which hot spring water flowed. From there, a ‘komaguchi’ system was established to distribute the water to inns on both sides. This means it is also the site of Japan’s first ‘hot spring urban planning.’ Even today, you can see the brownish ‘Kogane-no-yu’ (Golden Hot Spring) water vigorously flowing through glass windows installed along the steps.
During the day on holidays, it gets crowded with tourists, so if you want to take photos at a leisurely pace, a stroll around 9:30 AM is recommended. However, most shops start opening fully around 11:00 AM. At night, the entire stone stairway is lit up, transforming into a magical atmosphere entirely different from the daytime. Walking the night steps in a yukata and geta from your hot spring inn, with the click-clack sound, will allow you to fully savor the ultimate charm of a hot spring trip.
Stone Steps Pocket Park
📍 Address: 50 Ikaho, Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa, Gunma 377-0102, Japan
Continuously climbing the steep 365 stone steps can be more physically demanding than one might imagine. A strong ally for such travelers is the ‘Stone Steps Pocket Park,’ located about 200 steps up from the bottom, midway along the stairway. Equipped with stone tables and benches, it’s an oasis-like space where you can catch your breath and relax.
This small resting area holds two lesser-known, fascinating highlights. First, countless seashells embedded in the ground. You might wonder why there are seashells in a mountain hot spring town, but these were brought from the coast of Zushi City, Kanagawa Prefecture, which is a sister city to Ikaho Town (now part of Shibukawa City). It’s a stylish touch that symbolizes the bond between the sea and the mountains.
Second is a haiku monument dedicated to Kaneko Tota, a master who led the postwar haiku world. Engraved with the lighthearted verse, ‘Even little birds come, sprinting little birds,’ it also features a haiku submission box next to it. Composing a haiku as a travel memento is a charming way to enjoy your visit. A smart local tip is to grab some onsen manju or tama konnyaku from a nearby shop, sit here, rehydrate, and savor the treats.
Ikaho Shrine
📍 Address: 1 Ikaho, Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa, Gunma 377-0102, Japan
At the very top of the stone steps, after climbing all the way, stands Ikaho Shrine, the guardian deity of Ikaho Onsen. The sense of accomplishment upon reaching the final step, breathless, and seeing the ‘365/365’ plate at your feet is exceptional. Said to have been founded in 825 during the Heian period, it is a prestigious shrine listed in the Engishiki. After its main hall was destroyed in a great fire in the hot spring town in 1878 (Meiji 11), it was rebuilt in its current location in 1884 (Meiji 17).
It enshrines two deities: Oonamuchi-no-Mikoto and Sukunabikona-no-Mikoto, gods of hot springs and medicine. Oonamuchi-no-Mikoto is also known as ‘Ookuninushi-no-Mikoto’ and is famous as a deity of matchmaking and good relationships. Therefore, the shrine grounds are always bustling with worshippers seeking blessings for fertility, safe childbirth, successful relationships, and good health, making it a powerful spiritual spot.
Perched on high ground, the air is remarkably clear, and from the observatory at the shrine’s entrance, you can enjoy panoramic views of beautiful mountain ranges, including Mt. Onoko. During the autumn foliage season, the shrine is illuminated at night, offering breathtaking scenery. For those who wish to receive a Goshuin (shrine stamp) as a travel souvenir, please note: Ikaho Shrine often offers Goshuin inscription services only on weekends and national holidays, so it’s advisable to confirm in advance if you plan to visit on a weekday.
Tokimeki Deck
📍 Address: Uenoyama Park, Ikaho, Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa, Gunma 377-0102, Japan
If you want to stretch your legs a bit from the hot spring town and enjoy the great outdoors, head to the ‘Tokimeki Deck’ located within Uenoyama Park. Access is easy: enjoy a 4-minute aerial stroll on the Ikaho Ropeway from the hot spring town’s station to ‘Miharashi Station’ at the summit, then a 5-minute walk. You can also drive directly; it’s about a 5-minute walk from the parking lot.
From the magnificent wooden observation deck, you can overlook the cityscape of Shibukawa below and clearly see the majestic ridgelines of mountains such as Mt. Akagi, Mt. Tanigawa, and the Nikko mountain range in the distance. The snow-capped mountains during clear air seasons like winter are breathtakingly beautiful. At the top of the deck, there’s a ‘Kibo-no-Kane’ (Bell of Hope), a bell of happiness, making it a perfect photo spot for creating memories with family and couples.
As the elevation is relatively high, it can get colder than expected when the wind blows. To fully enjoy the scenery, bring an extra layer regardless of the season, and in winter, be sure to take thorough cold weather precautions like scarves and gloves. For active travelers, a recommended route is to ‘take the ropeway up and hike down while enjoying the natural scenery and wild flowers.’ However, there are some narrow sections of stairs, so those with concerns about their legs or hips should not overexert themselves and use the ropeway for both ascent and descent.
Takehisa Yumeji Ikaho Memorial Museum
📍 Address: 544-119 Ikaho, Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa, Gunma 377-0102, Japan
For travelers who want to enjoy an artistic experience in Ikaho, beyond just the hot spring atmosphere, the ‘Takehisa Yumeji Ikaho Memorial Museum’ is highly recommended. It is one of the largest memorial museums in Japan, housing over 16,000 works by Takehisa Yumeji, a painter emblematic of Taisho Romance who created numerous bijinga (paintings of beautiful women) and magazine illustrations, alongside antique items from that era.
Spread across its extensive grounds are the main building, ‘Yumeji Kurofune-kan’ (Yumeji Black Ship Museum), and ‘Taisho Roman-no-Yakara’ (Taisho Romance Mansion), both incorporating Western designs while built using traditional Japanese shaku-sun measurements, as well as the new ‘Giyaman-ro’ building, which showcases beautiful Japanese glass from the Meiji and Taisho periods. Especially in the main hall, precious antique music boxes made over 100 years ago and live performances on a 120-year-old grand piano are regularly held, allowing you to close your eyes and feel as if you’ve traveled back in time to the Taisho era, immersed in an elegant atmosphere.
Yumeji’s masterpiece, ‘Kurofuneya’ (Black Ship House), depicting a woman holding a black cat, is only available for viewing in its original form for a very limited period. Annually, around Yumeji’s birthday on September 16th, it is exclusively displayed for about two weeks in the specially designed ‘Kura-zashiki’ (storehouse room) on the third floor. During other times, a replica is exhibited, but the entire museum, from its stained glass and lighting fixtures to its furniture, is thoroughly unified in the world of Taisho Romance, captivating even those who are not art enthusiasts with its retro-modern ambiance.
Tips for Fully Enjoying Your Visit to Ikaho Onsen
Ikaho Onsen is a wonderful tourist destination where history, culture, and stunning nature are compactly gathered, highlighted by the stone steps infused with the wisdom of Sengoku period warlord Sanada Masayuki. The most important thing when visiting each spot is ‘preparing your footwear.’ With many ups and downs, including the 365 stone steps and paths to observation decks, comfortable walking shoes like sneakers are an absolute must-have.
Furthermore, one of the greatest joys of a trip is experiencing the ‘different atmospheres at various times of day’ unique to a hot spring town. From visiting the shrine in the fresh morning air, enjoying lively food stalls during the day, to the nostalgic illumination from dusk into night. Whether you’re staying overnight or on a day trip, try shifting your schedule slightly to discover the many faces of Ikaho.
