An Elusively Charming Onsen Town
If you love hot springs (who doesn’t?) and the retro flair, put Ikaho on your list of places to visit in Japan. Located in Shibukawa, a city in the center of Gunma Prefecture, Ikaho is an onsen (hot spring) village with a history more than 400 years old.
What sets Ikaho apart from other onsen towns in Gunma, which has many famous hot spring locations, is that Ikaho is a hidden town reminiscent of days gone by. Of course, Gunma also has the onsen town of Minakami, which is situated on the Tonegawa-River and is surrounded by developed towns and large hotels while Kusatsu (yet another one) is an easily accessible area with more than 100 onsen to chose from.
Ikaho, on the other hand, is well-known, but not exactly easy to reach, adding to its elusive charm. Most Japanese visit by car, but the trip is possible by train. It’s a popular spot in the Kanto area for viewing fall foliage from late October to mid-November.
What sets Ikaho apart from other onsen towns in Gunma, which has many famous hot spring locations, is that Ikaho is a hidden town reminiscent of days gone by. Of course, Gunma also has the onsen town of Minakami, which is situated on the Tonegawa-River and is surrounded by developed towns and large hotels while Kusatsu (yet another one) is an easily accessible area with more than 100 onsen to chose from.
Ikaho, on the other hand, is well-known, but not exactly easy to reach, adding to its elusive charm. Most Japanese visit by car, but the trip is possible by train. It’s a popular spot in the Kanto area for viewing fall foliage from late October to mid-November.
