Day trip bathing travel journals to hot springs where we visited by train and bus

Ikaho Onsen Ikaho Rotenburo

Ikaho Onsen Ikaho Rotenburo

581, Ikaho, Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture

An open-air bath with a 100% Flowing from the Source, that closest to the source at Ikaho Onsen. You can enjoy fresh hot water surrounded by trees in the mountains.

Ikaho Rotenburo bathtub, Ikaho Onsen
Ikaho Rotenburo exterior, Ikaho Onsen Kajika Bridge, Ikaho Onsen Stone Steps Street, Ikaho Onsen

An open-air bath surrounded by trees at the back of Ikaho Onsen. The azalea flowers in the middle of the bathtub bloom in spring, and red-colored maples fall down on the bathtub in autumn.

Hot water is fresh because it is an open-air bath right near the source. You can enjoy the original hot spring quality of "Koganenoyu", which has been around for a long time in Ikaho.

On the site, you can see the source springing up.

Location

Rating of access

2.0 pt(from Ueno)

→ How to rate access train

Area / Railway

Kanto Region
Gunma Pref.

JR Joetsu / Agatsuma Line

onsen

Route from Tokyo (Ueno)
  • Ueno Sta.JR: 2 hrs 20 min Takasaki Line etc. - Joetsu Line ¥ 2,310
  • Shibukawa Sta.Walk: 2 hrs 35 min 10.2 km (6.3 mi) Difference in elevation: 650 m (2133 ft)
  • Ikaho Rotenburo
Route from Tokyo (Ueno)
  • Ueno Sta. JR express: 1 hr 45 min Kusatsu Non-reserved seat ¥ 3,670
  • Shibukawa Sta. Kan-etsu Kotsu bus: 21 min ¥ 580
  • Ikaho Onsen Bus StopWalk: 14 min 1.0 km (0.6 mi)
  • Ikaho Rotenburo
Route from Tokyo (Ueno)
  • Ueno Sta. JR Shinkansen: 50 min Toki etc. Non-reserved seat ¥ 4,610
  •  (Transfer at Takasaki Sta.) JR: 30 min Joetsu Line etc. ¥ -
  • Shibukawa Sta. Gunma Bus: 29 min ¥ 620
  • Ikaho Bus TerminalWalk: 15 min 1.1 km (0.7 mi)
  • Ikaho Rotenburo
Route from Tokyo (Ueno)
  • Ueno Sta. JR Shinkansen: 50 min Toki etc. Non-reserved seat ¥ 4,280
  • Takasaki Sta. (West exit) Gunma Bus: 1 hr 10 min ¥ 1,170
  • Ishidangaiguchi Bus StopWalk: 23 min 1.0 km (0.6 mi)
  • Ikaho Rotenburo
Route from Tokyo (Ikebukuro)
  • Ikebukuro Sta. Tobu: 1 hr 35 min Tojo Line ¥ 910
  • Yorii Sta.JR: 45 min Hachiko Line ¥ 990
  •  (Transfer at Takasaki Sta.) JR: 30 min Joetsu Line etc. ¥ -
  • Shibukawa Sta.Walk: 0 min
  • Shibukawa-ekimae Plaza Bicycle rental: 1 hr 10 min ¥ free of charge
    10.2 km (6.3 mi) Difference in elevation: 650 m (2133 ft)
  • Ikaho Rotenburo
Route from Tokyo (Shinjuku)
  • Shinjuku Sta. (New South Gate) Walk: 2 min
  • Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal
    (4th floor) JR Expressway bus: 2 hrs 37 min Joshu Yumeguri-go ¥ 2,270 - ¥ 2,850
  • Ishidangaiguchi Bus StopWalk: 23 min 1.0 km (0.6 mi)
  • Ikaho Rotenburo
Routes from Tokyo
  • Ueno
  • JR
  • Shibukawa
  • Walk
  • hot spring
  • 4 hrs 55 min ¥ 2,310

  • Ueno
  • JR express
  • Shibukawa
  • Bus
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 20 min ¥ 4,250

  • Ueno
  • Shinkansen
  • Takasaki
  • JR
  • Shibukawa
  • Bus
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 04 min ¥ 5,230

  • Ueno
  • Shinkansen
  • Takasaki
  • Bus
  • hot spring
  • 2 hrs 23 min ¥ 5,450

  • Ikebukuro
  • Tobu
  • Yorii
  • JR
  • Shibukawa
  • Bicycle rental
  • hot spring
  • 4 hrs 00 min ¥ 1,900

  • Shinjuku
  • Expressway bus
  • hot spring
  • 3 hrs 02 min ¥ 2,270 - ¥ 2,850

  • The price of JR Express and normal Shinkansen is "Basic fare" plus "(Super) Express charge". (These are determined according to the distance.) "(Super) Express charge" has two types: Reserved seat and Non-reserved seat. Reserved seat charge adds ¥930 (during the busiest season), ¥730 (during the busy season), ¥530 (during the normal season) or ¥330 (during the off season) to Non-reserved seat charge. (For details, please refer to JR East_Ticketing and Busiest / Busy / Normal / Off season calendar.)
  • Kan-etsu Kotsu route bus "Ikaho Line Unlimited ride ticket" allows you to get on and off the bus between Shibukawa and Ikaho any number of times. In addition, you can get a discount on Ishidannoyu, Ikaho Rotenburo and so on.
  • In case of you go to Ikaho by Gunma Bus, route buses depart from Shibukawa Station and Takasaki Station. Both are via Mizusawa, so they are convenient if you stop by Mizusawa Udon Town. And Gunma Bus also operates a bus from Ikaho to Lake Haruna. Further, "Ikaho / Mizusawa / Haruna One-way discount ticket" may be good for sightseeing in Ikaho Onsen plus Mizusawa / Lake Haruna.
  • For foreign tourists visiting Japan, "Shibukawa Ikaho Area Pass" is for sale. It is an unlimited ride ticket for Shibukawa Ikaho area route bus etc. for two days. (Passport required)
  • "Shibukawa-ekimae Plaza" is in front of JR Shibukawa Station. They provides electric assisted bicycle rental for free of charge. (9:00-19:00, photo ID required, reservations can be made, Tel.0279-24-0022)
  • The expressway buses from Tokyo area to Ikaho Onsen are as follows.
    Name Main starting point (station) Operator
    Joshu Yumeguri-go / Tokyo Yumeguri-go Tokyo, Shinjuku, Nerima JR Bus Kanto
    Ikaho Shima Onsen-go Haneda Line Haneda Airport, Tokyo Kan-etsu Kotsu Bus and others
    Takasaki / Ikaho / Shima Onsen-go Hachioji Line Hachioji
    Gunma / Yokohama New-Star-go Yokohama, Roppongi Gunma Bus / Tokyo Bus
  • The above fares are based on cash. When using an IC card, the fares may differ slightly.
  • The above times and distances are approximate. Does not include transfering or waiting times.

How to get to Ikaho Rotenburo

(Directions from Ikaho Onsen Bus Stop)
  1. Go west (to the Stone Steps Street). Take the left at the Y-junction
  2. Follow the road and you will reach the stone steps, so go up the stone steps
  3. Go straight through the alley in front of the Shogetsudo Store
  4. The crossroad near Kajika Bridge goes diagonally forward left

bus stop: bus stop

Click the map to open Google Map

Travel journal of day trip bathing to hot spring

Characters

Nishi-san
Nishi-san
He is an orthodox hot springs lover and particular about quality of springs. He loves the hot springs flowing from the source, the hot water with a presence, and the rustic atmosphere.
Kita-san
Kita-san
He doesn't care much about quality of hot springs. He loves the open-air bath, and prefers hot springs that have visible features such as good views.

(→ Continuation from Ishidannoyu)
One day at the end of August, Nishi-san and Kita-san have come to Ikaho Onsen on a day trip. First, enjoy Ishidannoyu at the entrance of the Stone Steps Street, then go up the steps towards Ikaho Open-air Bath. You can see the hot spring flowing at Komaguchi (Hot spring water pipe branch point) in the middle of the stone steps.

Stone Steps Street, Ikaho Onsen

Stone Steps Street

Hey, the hot springs are flowing. The water is flowing this way. It works well. But anyway, This stone steps is long ...

I hear it has 365 steps. It was made in the Warring States period.

Oh, it's so long ago, so there's no escalator.

... Yeah ...

Look! Yunohana Manju! Eat it!

The Stone Steps Street that symbolize Ikaho Onsen dates back to 1576. Hot spring water was passed through the center, and Onsen inns were arranged on the left and right. At the time it was made with advanced city planning. (→ Ikaho Onsen Tourism Association)

Folk art store Yamashiroya, Ikaho Onsen

Yamashiroya folk art store

They went up while eating Yunohana Manju and looking at Yamashiroya folk art store.

Kajika Bridge, Ikaho Onsen

Kajika Bridge

Walk past the Ikaho Shrine and overlook the river on your right, and you will see Kajika Bridge.

Yuzawa River, Ikaho Onsen

Yuzawa River

It's amazing. The river is getting red. In short, the ingredients of the hot spring are also dissolved in the river.

'Cause this area has maples here and there, they would be so beautiful in autumn.

They came to the hot spring faucet. You can drink hot springs here, but the taste is ...

hot spring faucet for drinking, Ikaho Onsen

Hot spring faucet for drinking

Oops! It's terrible!

Hey, no matter, how much the taste is so ... So disgusting!

Open-air Bath entrance, Ikaho Onsen

Open-air Bath entrance

After the hot spring faucet, they finally arrived at Ikaho Open-air Bath. The open-air bath is quite crowded during the busy season. However, this day was the end of summer vacation, so there were only a few tourists. This facility has no separated undressing room and lockers are lined up beside the bathtub.

Oh, it's a rustic atmosphere. In short, spending no money on equipments.

Ikaho is said to be the birthplace of Onsen Manju (bean-paste bun).

Yamashiroya folk art store is selling Japanese traditional knick-knacks. (→ Yamashiroya facebook)

The area around Kajika Bridge is famous for autumn leaves.

You're right. There's no washing place ... No, that's so ...? Anyway, it doesn't seem to be usable.

Ikaho Rotenburo bathtub, Ikaho Onsen

Bathtub

The bathtub is divided into two: the hotter part and lukewarm part. The spring source is pouring into the hotter part.

It's so right near the source, as expected, it's great hot water.

The hot water isn't so reddish. More of greenish?

I guess it hasn't touched the air yet.

I see. The temperature is just right, it's the best, you know.

The sun begins to lean west, and the early dusk of the mountains seems to be near.

Phew, I don't want to move anymore.

It's quiet ...

A beetle was slowly walking on the rocks of the bathtub. With the cool breeze blowing occasionally, the summer is almost getting to end.

(August 2012)

There is almost no washing area, so it's better to go here just to take a bath.

The hot water immediately after springing and before contact with air is colorless and transparent.

Where the source springs, Ikaho Onsen

Where the source springs

Impression & rating

Hot water is fresh and very good. If you come to Ikaho, you cannot miss this place.

4.0 pt

Impression & rating

The facilities are not enough, but the open-air bath in the mountains is nice.

3.0 pt

→ How to rate

The Onsen facility

Address
581, Ikaho, Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa City, Gunma Pref.
Phone
domestic: 0279-72-2488
international: +81-279-72-2488
Website
Ikaho Onsen Tourism Association _ Ikaho Rotenburo
Bathing hours
[April - September] 9:00 - 18:00 (Last entry at 17:30) [October - March] 10:00 - 18:00 (Last entry at 17:30)
Regular holiday
1st and 3rd Thursdays
(If it's a public holiday, opened.)
Open every day in August.
Charge
Adult: ¥ 450 / Elementary school student and under: ¥ 200 (Unable to take a bath under 1 year old)
Baths
Gender-separated open-air bath
Facilities
There are free lockers (with key) in the undressing room.
Equipments
No shower, soap, shampoo etc.

The hot spring data
(According to hot spring analysis report etc.)

(Analysis date: Jul. 18, 1997)

Spring quality
Calcium / Sodium - Sulfate / Hydrogen carbonate / Chloride spring (Hypotonic Neutral Hot spring)
Temperature
40.9 ℃ (105.6 ℉)
[As of October 10, 1998: 44.3 ℃ (111.7 ℉)]
pH value
6.4
Perception
Colorless and transparent, slightly brownish precipitate

(Analysis date: May 30, 2017)

Spring quality
Calcium / Sodium - Sulfate / Hydrogen carbonate / Chloride spring (Hypotonic Neutral Hot spring)
Source name
Comprehensive hot water (mixed spring)
Temperature
41.2 ℃ (106.2 ℉)
Volume
4,627 L / min
pH value
6.4
Total ingredients
1.36 g / kg
Perception
Colorless and transparent, slightly brown floating

Today's Ekiben

Daruma Bento
The appearance of Daruma Bento The whole of Daruma Bento

Daruma Bento

(Purchased at Takasaki Station)

When you go to a hot spring in Gunma Prefecture from Tokyo, you usually pass through Takasaki. The first thing that comes to mind when talking about Takasaki's Ekiben is a Daruma Bento. Each and every one of the foods of the mountains is well seasoned and really delicious. I especially like konjac.

« contents »
Tea rice, Simmered wild vegetables with mushrooms, Boiled bamboo shoots, Simmered shiitake mushroom, Cold chicken, Burdock rolled with chicken, Simmered beans, Black konjac, Red konjac, Chestnut, Re-hydrated stem lettuces, Pickled small eggplant, Mountain burdock

(¥ 1,100) ( Takaben)

  • The descriptions on this page contain personal opinions and are not necessarily objective facts.
  • The information may have changed at present. In particular, the charge and price etc. has often not updated from the time of travel, so check the latest information on the official website.

Onsen List

Tohoku Region

Kanto Region

Kyushu Region

  • Fukuoka Pref.
-