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IKAHO ONSEN, FOR YOUR BODY AND YOUR MIND

IKAHO ONSEN, FOR YOUR BODY AND YOUR MIND

Mar 20, 2021

Ikaho is a district of Shibukawa Onsen, in Gunma prefecture, north of Tokyo, which became popular especially in the end of the 16th century, when injured samurai of the Sengoku Judai (Warring States Era) come here to heal their wounds in the thermal baths rich in Ikaho.

Nowadays, along with Kusatsu and Minakami, Ikaho Onsen is one of Gunma’s most popular hot springs and is often visited alongside Mount Haruna, a dormant volcano overlooking the lake that formed in its caldera, beloved by the Japanese artist Takehisa Yumeji.

Visit Ikaho Onsen

I must admit, Ikaho is not a destination that I recommend for a first trip to Japan, but it can be instead an interesting option for those looking for a place to recharge the energy, reconnect with nature, and “purify” mind and body. In fact, Ikaho is not only an onsen destination where heal fatigue, but it is also the ideal place to purify the body with good quality food, especially vegetables, and nourish your mind with art, spirituality or even a little nostalgic lightness.

The main tourist spot is certainly the Ikaho Stone Steps that leads to the Ikaho Shrine. 365 steps lined with souvenir shops, local products shops and cafes. In the evening the stairs are lit up and the atmosphere is really suggestive, you feel right in a typical village of old-times Japan.

The surrounding nature and nearby Mount Haruna, a dormant volcano overlooking the lake formed in the caldera, make the Shibukawa Onsen area a perfect place to enjoy the natural landscapes that Japan offers, especially in autumn (if you visit Ikaho this season, be sure to photograph Kajikabashi bridge with the beautiful momiji around).

Keep reading the article on my blog, click here!

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