Ikaho is one of Gunma Prefecture’s most renowned onsen. While not as famous as nearby Kusatsu, Ikaho’s baths are nevertheless a unique experience due to the unusually high iron content of their hot spring water, which gives the water a reddish brown color and metallic taste. Bathing in or drinking the onsen water is said to be effective in treating certain disorders and ailments such as fatigue and poor circulation.
The source of the hot spring is found about 500 meters past the top of the stone steps. It can be viewed through a clear casing near the public outdoor bath (Ikaho Rotemburo). Ikaho has two public hot spring bath houses that are open to day trip visitors. In addition, many of the local ryokan along the steps open up their baths to non-staying guests during the day for a small fee (typically between 500 to 1500 yen).
