Ikaho Onsen

Ikaho Onsen in Gunma Prefecture is a hot spring town built around 365 stone steps that double as its main street, lined with ryokan, sweet shops, and steaming public bath houses. Two distinct spring types flow here: the iron-rich Kogane no Yu, which turns amber on contact with air, and the colorless Shirogane no Yu, a newer discovery from deeper underground. Ikaho Shrine at the top of the steps draws visitors praying for childbirth and romance. Lake Haruna and the surrounding highlands are a short drive away, making the town a comfortable base for combining hot spring baths with mountain scenery, about two hours from central Tokyo.