Ikaho Stone Steps and Mizusawa Udon Course

Ikaho Onsen is a historic hot spring town spread across a hillside in Gunma. The stone steps that run through its center grow more atmospheric the higher you climb, lined with shooting galleries, sweet shops and steamed bun stalls. The symbolic stairway has 365 steps in all, each carved with a number, so reaching the top brings a real sense of accomplishment. This relaxed half-day route takes you all the way up the steps and then rewards you with a bowl of the regions famous Mizusawa udon.

Course Route

10:00 Start at the bottom of the stone steps Begin from the very first step. Take your time and peek into the shops on either side as you climb. Of the 365 steps, the landings partway up open onto views over the hot spring town. Coin lockers near the base let you stash large bags and walk hands-free.

10:30 Try a yunohana steamed bun Stop at one of the bun shops partway up for a freshly made yunohana bun. A sweet aroma typical of hot spring towns drifts through the air. Many shops sell them from around 100 yen each, a perfect size for snacking as you walk.

11:00 Visit Ikaho Shrine At the top of the steps stands Ikaho Shrine. Known as a shrine for matchmaking, it is a good place to wish for safe travels. Entry is free and the grounds are open to visitors at any time.

11:30 Walk out to Kajika Bridge Continue about 10 minutes on foot past the shrine to reach the vivid red Kajika Bridge, with a nearby drinking spring where hot spring water wells up. Its scenery changes beautifully with the seasons, and the bridge is lit up in the evenings during the autumn foliage season.

12:30 Head to Mizusawa for an udon lunch Travel a short way to the Mizusawa area, about 15 minutes by car or taxi from the steps. Along the udon road stand more than ten shops. At a renowned one, savor the firm, chewy noodles of Mizusawa udon, one of Japan's three great udon.

14:00 Visit Mizusawa Temple After lunch, drop by nearby Mizusawa Temple, also a pilgrimage site of the Bando Sanjusankasho. A gentle stroll through the calm grounds makes a fitting end to the day.

Highlights

The stone steps are the symbol of Ikaho, all 365 of them carved with numbers so that reaching the top brings a real sense of accomplishment. The view over the hot spring town from partway up is not to be missed. Mizusawa udon, with its clear white noodles and satisfying bite, is a bowl worth traveling for once you are in the area.

Access and Tips

Ikaho Onsen is reached by Kan-etsu Kotsu bus in about 30 minutes from JR Shibukawa Station, with the entrance to the steps right by the bus stop. The steps number 365, so wear comfortable shoes. The Mizusawa area sits some distance from the steps, so a bus or car is handy for that leg.

Practical Travel Notes

• Time needed: Two to three hours for the steps and shrine, or a half to full day once you add Mizusawa udon and Mizusawa Temple.
• Getting there: From the Tokyo direction, change to the Joetsu Line at JR Takasaki Station for Shibukawa Station, then take the bus for Ikaho Onsen (about 30 minutes). By car it is about 20 minutes from the Shibukawa-Ikaho interchange on the Kan-etsu Expressway.
• Value tickets: Kan-etsu Kotsu sometimes offers a free-ride pass covering the Ikaho and Mizusawa routes, handy if you plan to string several buses together.
• Avoiding crowds: The bun shops midway up and the popular udon restaurants draw lines at lunchtime. For udon, arriving before noon in the 11 oclock hour is a good bet.
• Budget: Strolling the steps themselves is free. A few yunohana buns cost a few hundred yen, and a bowl of Mizusawa udon is generally around 900 to 1,200 yen. If you add a day-use bath, check each facility's fee on site.

A Quick Tip

Climbing up and down the steps takes more energy than you might expect, so rest at the shops along the way and keep an easy pace. Popular udon shops fill up at lunchtime, so aiming for a slightly earlier hour is a good idea.

• Contact: Shibukawa Ikaho Onsen Tourism Association 0279-72-3151 / Ikaho Shrine Office 0279-72-2351 / Mizusawa Kannon 0279-72-3619 / Ganso Mizusawa Udon Mensaibo Tamaruya 0279-72-3019