Shibukawa

Shibukawa (渋川市) is a city in central Gunma Prefecture, best known as the gateway to Ikaho Onsen (伊香保温泉), one of the Kanto region's most famous hot spring resorts. The city lies at the foot of Mount Haruna, an extinct volcano that is one of the "Three Mountains of Jomo" and a character in the Japanese folktale "The Hare of Inaba."

Ikaho Onsen is famous for its Stone Step Street (石段街), a 365-step stone staircase lined with ryokan, souvenir shops, and restaurants. The hot spring waters are iron-rich, giving them a distinctive reddish color. The area is also known for the Ikaho Ropeway to the summit of Mount Haruna, and for the Haruna Shrine at the mountain's peak. Summers are warm, winters cold with occasional snow.

By Plane

Narita International Airport (NRT) is about 150 km southeast. Take the Narita Express to Tokyo Station, then the Joetsu Shinkansen to Takasaki, and transfer to a bus or local train to Shibukawa (about 2.5 hours total).

By Train

Shibukawa Station is on the JR Joetsu Line. From Tokyo, take the Joetsu Shinkansen to Takasaki (50 minutes), then the JR Joetsu Line local train to Shibukawa (25 minutes). The station also connects to Ikaho Onsen via bus.

By Car / Road

From Tokyo, take the Kan-Etsu Expressway to the Shibukawa-Ikaho IC, about 1 hour 45 minutes. National Route 17 passes through the city.

Ikaho Onsen's Stone Step Street is a pedestrian-only zone, best explored on foot. Local buses connect Shibukawa Station to Ikaho Onsen (15 minutes) and other sights. The Ikaho Ropeway provides access to Mount Haruna. Taxis are available.

• Ikaho Onsen Stone Step Street — 365 stone steps flanked by traditional inns, steam vents, and shops. Each step represents a day of the year. Illuminated at night.

• Ikaho Ropeway — A 4-minute cable car ride to the summit of Mount Haruna, with panoramic views of the Kanto Plain.

• Haruna Shrine — A Shinto shrine at the summit of Mount Haruna, surrounded by ancient cedar forest. The approach has a torii gate and stone lanterns.

• Lake Haruna — A crater lake on Mount Haruna with a walking path, boat rentals, and seasonal foliage.

• Ikaho Onsen Museum — Exhibits on the history and culture of the hot spring resort.

• Climb the Stone Step Street — Walk the 365 steps, visiting shrines, shops, and footbaths along the way.

• Ride the ropeway to Mount Haruna — Summit views and access to Haruna Shrine and Lake Haruna hiking trails.

• Onsen hopping — Try several public baths and footbaths; Ikaho's reddish iron-rich water is said to benefit skin and circulation.

• Hike Mount Haruna — Trails around the volcano lead through forest, past shrines, and to the crater lake.

• Visit Ikaho Onsen in winter — The snow-covered stone steps and steam create a magical atmosphere.

• Ikaho manju — Steamed buns filled with sweet bean paste, made using onsen steam.
• Shibukawa yaki — A local style of grilled dumpling or skewer.
• Hoba miso — Miso grilled on a magnolia leaf with mushrooms and vegetables.
• Budget ramen and soba shops line the foot of the stone steps, bowls from ¥800.

Ikaho has several izakaya and small bars along the stone steps. Sake from Gunma breweries is widely available. The ropeway station has a cafe with mountain views. Tap water is safe.

• Budget: Minshuku near the foot of the stone steps from ¥6,000/night.
• Mid-range: Traditional ryokan such as Hotel Ikaho, about ¥12,000–18,000/night with dinner and onsen access.
• Upscale: High-end ryokan like Fuki-no-Yu offer private open-air baths and kaiseki cuisine, from ¥25,000/night.

Ikaho Onsen's shops sell onsen manju (steamed buns), yukata, and daruma dolls. Gunma is famous for its konyaku (konjac) products. The area also produces sake and soba noodles. The Stone Step Street has many souvenir shops.

• Mount Haruna (via ropeway) — Crater lake hiking, Haruna Shrine, and panoramic Kanto views.
• Takasaki (25 min by train) — Gunma's capital with the giant Daruma doll and Byakue Kannon statue.
• Kusatsu Onsen (60 min by car) — Famous highland hot spring resort with the iconic Yubatake.
• Maebashi (30 min by train) — Gunma's prefectural capital with museums and the Maebashi Festival.
• Nikko (90 min by car) — UNESCO World Heritage site with Toshogu Shrine, Kegon Falls, and Lake Chuzenji.