Ikaho Onsen (Historic 365 Stone Steps & Twin Mineral Springs)

Category: Historic Mountain Onsen & Heritage Steps | Location: Ikaho, Shibukawa, Gunma 377-0102 (Ikaho Onsen Bus Stop)

Immortalized in the 8th-century *Manyoshu* poetry anthology, Ikaho Onsen cascades dramatically down the eastern flank of volcanic Mount Haruna. Its iconic tiered urban layout was engineered in 1576 during the Warring States (Sengoku) period by the samurai Takeda clan, who devised an ingenious gravity-fed wooden duct system to distribute curative thermal waters to wounded warriors. The central spine is "Ishidangai"—a 300-meter stone staircase comprising exactly 365 steps, symbolizing the fervent wish for prosperous hot-spring life every single day of the year. Flanking the atmospheric stone stairs are retro Showa-era cork-gun shooting arcades (Shateki), traditional teahouses, free footbaths (Ashiyu), and glass viewports in the stone pavement revealing the amber thermal water rushing directly beneath your feet. Ikaho is famed for two distinct springs: the iron-rich, reddish-brown "Kogane-no-Yu" (Golden Water) renowned for invigorating circulation, and the crystal-clear "Shirogane-no-Yu" (Silver Water) celebrated for soothing tired skin. At the top of the 365th step sits Ikaho Shrine, dedicated to health and childbirth, while further upstream lies the vivid vermilion Kajika Bridge—famed for nocturnal autumn foliage illuminations. Remarkably, Ikaho is the birthplace of "Onsen Manju" (steamed brown-sugar buns stuffed with sweet azuki bean paste), now a ubiquitous culinary symbol at hot springs nationwide. Reachable via direct highway express buses from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal (Busta Shinjuku) in about 2.5 hours.