Hello, this is _hiroyuki.ta. This time, I toured from central Tokyo to Ikaho Onsen, a famous hot spring in Gunma Prefecture, on a Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide. Ikaho Onsen is a hot spring area full of historical charm, such as Ikaho handmade udon, one of Japan’s three major udon noodles, and stone steps. This time, I would like to introduce the situation.
Ikaho Onsen is a hot spring resort in Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture, located at the eastern foot of Mt. Haruna. It has long been known as one of Japan’s most famous hot springs, appearing in the Kokin Wakashu'' andManyoshu.” Ikaho Onsen is characterized by having two different types of spring water. One is the reddish-brown “Golden no Yu” which contains a lot of iron, and the other is the transparent “Shirogane no Yu” which is effective for improving health. There are many inns where you can enjoy these two types of hot springs.
This time, we drove about 160km from central Tokyo to Ikaka Onsen, which took about 2 and a half hours. The starting point was Suitengu Dori and Tokiwabashi, where I entered the Shuto Expressway’s Inner Loop Line. Enter the Kanetsu Expressway via Shuto Expressway No. 5 Ikebukuro Line and exit at Shibukawa-Ikaho IC. From there, we took National Route 17 and Prefectural Route 33 to reach Ikaho Onsen Town.
Along the way, I was able to drive comfortably on the Kanetsu Expressway while admiring the mountains and countryside of Gunma Prefecture. Also, on National Route 17 and Prefectural Route 33, there were many curves and slopes, but the Harley’s torque and handling made good use of it, making it a fun ride. However, the roads were narrow in some places, so I had to be careful of oncoming cars and pedestrians.
When we arrived at Ikaho Onsen, we first took a walk around Ishidangai. Ishidangai is a 365-step cobblestone staircase lined with souvenir shops and restaurants on both sides. The most famous foods in Ishidangai are Okame Natto'' andOnsen Manju.” Okame Natto'' is a type of natto made using a traditional method that has been fermented to a high degree and has a rich flavor.Onsen Manju” is a Japanese sweet that is made with golden hot spring water and has red bean paste wrapped in a flour wrapper, and is characterized by its fluffy texture. We bought these special products and enjoyed eating them while walking around.
At the top of the stone steps, there are attractions such as Ikaho Shrine and Ikaho Onsen Memorial Museum. Ikaho Shrine is a shrine that is worshiped as the guardian deity of hot springs, and the source of the hot springs gushes out within its grounds. Ikaho Onsen Memorial Museum is a museum that introduces the history and culture of Ikaho Onsen, and has a wealth of materials and exhibits related to hot springs. Also nearby is a historic building called the Royal Hawaiian Minister’s Villa. This villa was built during the Meiji period when the ambassadors of the Kingdom of Hawaii stayed at Ikaho Onsen, and it is now designated as an important cultural property of the country. At the Royal Hawaiian Minister’s Villa, you can learn about the lifestyle and diplomatic relations of the time.
There are several motorcycle parking lots in Ikaho Onsen Town. I used the Tokutomi Roka Memorial Literature Museum parking lot. This parking lot is located at the entrance to Ishidangai, and there is a covered motorcycle parking lot. The parking fee for motorcycles is 100 yen for up to 2 hours, and 100 yen for each hour beyond the first 2 hours. The overnight stay fee (from 3pm to 10am the next day) is 300 yen. Private motorcycle parking is limited and guests must contact the hotel in advance.
However, the parking lot is shared with regular cars, so we recommend checking availability and fees before using.
This time, I toured on a Harley-Davidson FLSB Sport Glide from central Tokyo to Ikaho Onsen in Gunma Prefecture. Ikaho Onsen is a hot spring area with many attractions such as two types of hot springs and stone steps. There are also several motorcycle parking lots, but it is important to check in advance. Ikaho Onsen is a wonderful hot spring area where you can feel the history and culture. Please come and visit us at least once.
