What is Ikaho Onsen (Ikaho Spa Resort)?
Ikaho Onsen is approx. 100km northwest of Tokyo and on the mountainside of Mt. Harunasan, one of the three most well-known mountains of Gunma.
Back in Manyo Era (7 to 8 AD), many tanka’s (thirty-one syllabled verse) were composed. Manyoshu is a collection of tanka’s of the time. Many of the tanka’s in Manyoshu are inspired by Ikaho Onsen, which is a sign of Ikaho’s long history. There are two different onsen waters that characterize Ikaho: kogane-no-yu or golden waters and shirogane-no-yu or silver waters. Golden waters are unique brownish-red. Silver waters are transparent. Being gentle to the skin, both waters have been very popular with the guests who come to Ikaho for medical treatment or recuperation from illness. Also, the onsen waters truly warm up the body and improve circulation of the blood, so they are believed to help women who have difficulty conceiving a child.
There are about 50 hotels and inns in business in Ikaho today. Of these 50, only three have continually been operating today for the last 450 years since the Muromachi Era (1336-1573). In the Edo Era (1603-1867), 14 inns called Ooya were operating alongside Ikaho’s landmark stone steps. In mid-Edo Era, 12 of them were named after the Chinese Zodiac signs. Kishigon’s animal symbol was the dragon. On the year of the dragon, the head of Kishigon assumed the responsibility of the master of nearby sekisho or a checkpoint placed on major roads. You’ll find these 12 animal symbols, each inscribed on a plate and placed on present-day stone steps.
At Ikaho, onsen waters are 100% pure "fountainhead" hot spring water and are distinctive brownish-red. They are vitriolic and contain a lot of iron and are said to be good for your skin. Bathing at Kishigon offers the luxury of excellent onsen waters and magnificent view that satisfy its guests with quality services rendered at the finest facility. Experience the true Japanese onsen culture at Kishigon.
| Spring quality: | Vitriolic Onsen |
|---|---|
| Spring temperature: | 40 to 42 degrees C |
| Efficacy: | Neuralgia, muscle ache, excessive sensitivity to cold and others |
- Gonzaemon-no-yu (Open-air bath)
An open-air bath surrounded by trees.
Open from 15:00 to 23:00
from 6:00 to10:00 (There’s no space to wash oneself.) - Rokuzaemon-no-yu (pool bath, open-air bath, and mist sauna):
Separate shower booth makes it even more comfortable.
Open from 15:00 to 10:00 of the following day - Matazaemon-no-yu (big pool bath and sauna):
Large traditional stone pool bath
Open from 15:00 to 10:00 of the following day
Reserved bath on the top floor overlooking the town: Exclusively for you (Additional charges required)
Reserved indoor bath, Ukigumo, on the top floor overlooking the town:
Charges: JPY4,200 for 45 minutes (Comes with a tatami room and Japanese garden)
| Hours: | 14:00~14:45 |
|---|---|
| 15:00~15:45 | |
| 16:00~16:45 | |
| 17:00~17:45 | |
| 18:00~18:45 | |
| 20:00~20;45 | |
| 21:00~21:45 | |
| 22:00~20:45 |
Reserved indoor bath, Hototogisu, a barrier-free facility
Charges: JPY3,150 for 45minutes
| Hours: | 14:15~15:00 |
|---|---|
| 15:15~16:00 | |
| 16:15~17:00 | |
| 17:15~18:00 | |
| 18:15~19:00 | |
| 20:15~21:00 | |
| 21:15~22:00 | |
| 22:15~23:00 |
Our chef mainly uses locally-produced ingredients after he carefully selects them so that they are still fresh while being cooked and served to our guests. Seasonal local produce are also used to prepare course meals, both Japanese and western-style that satisfy our guests. We serve healthy breakfast with plenty of local specialties. Please enjoy our dishes of the season.
Standard rooms are 10-tatami-mat rooms (approx. 22 to 25 square meters) with a bath and shower toilet. Each room has a spectacular view of either Mt. Akagiyama or Mt. Harunasan, two of the most well-known three mountains of Gunma. Japanese rooms have new tatami mats, which emit nice and soothing aroma of rush glass. In tatami rooms, guests are requested to remove their shoes, which is the Japanese way.
