15 Best Gunma Ryokan for Couples to Indulge in the Finest Local Flavors of Ikaho Onsen

Ikaho onsen is a onsen town located in Gunma. Along with Kusatsu onsen, it is one of Gunma 's most representative onsen, and has been popular with people from the Meiji period to the early Showa period. The symbol of this onsen resort is the 365-step stone staircase, and on both sides of the stone steps there are coffee shops, nostalgic shooting ranges, hotels, and ryokan. There are also four branching points of the hot spring source called ``Komaguchi'' on the stone steps, and you can see how the hot spring water is distributed to each ryokan on both sides. On your next day off, let's go on a date at Ikaho onsen where you can relax your body and soul♪

If you climb the stone steps, you will find Ikaho Shrine, which is famous for the god of marriage. This shrine is also famous as a power spot along with Haruna Shrine, Mizusawa Kannon, and Kajika Bridge in the Ikaho area. Enjoy a trip to Ikaho where you can relax in onsen while praying for good luck.

For those who find it difficult to climb 365 steps, there is also a bus that goes around Ikaho's tourist attractions. You can use your time effectively by researching tourist attractions in the Ikaho area in advance.

Then, we will introduce recommended inns that boast gourmet food that will make your date in Ikaho onsen even more wonderful ♪

“Ikaho onsen Fukuichi” is a long-established ryokan with a history of over 400 years. Currently, ryokan consists of 3 buildings according to the taste of the room, and there is also a guest room in the building close to the stone steps. Here, you can enjoy Japanese cuisine made with plenty of seasonal ingredients, carefully selected by the head chef. There is an upgraded course for cooking, and it is also recommended for those who want to enjoy food.

meal include the "Manyo Creative Japanese Kaiseki" in private dining and the "Joushu Taste Kaiseki" in the Japanese dining room. Kaiseki cuisine incorporates seasonal local ingredients such as wild vegetables in the spring and matsutake mushrooms in the fall. For special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries, we recommend ordering dishes such as domestic beef sirloin grilled with rock salt and matsutake mushroom earthenware pot (seasonal). If you would like to eat dinner, please check with the inn in advance.

This is the "Japanese Modern Room". We also recommend rooms with garden open-air baths, as well as twin rooms for those who prefer beds. The hotel also has a large public bath where you can soothe the fatigue of your travels, and a private bath with natural hot spring water that can be reserved by reservation, so be sure to enjoy these as well.

"Ikaho onsen Kokuya" is a long-established ryokan that was founded 100 years ago. The inn is proud of its banquet cuisine that incorporates the mountain delicacies unique to Gunma, and you can enjoy onsen in a free-flowing state. It would also be nice to stay in a room with an open-air bath, which is perfect for a couple's trip.

For dinner, you can choose from sukiyaki and sashimi using Japanese pork mochibuta, the basic Japanese pork mochibuta kaiseki, and Tsubaki kaiseki, which is upgraded to Joshu beef. For those who use a room with an open-air bath, a luxurious banquet called "Yuyama Kaiseki" will be prepared by the chef. You can fully enjoy Gunma gourmet such as Joshu beef, seasonal vegetable tempura, and freshly cooked pot rice.

A guest room with an open-air bath recommended for couples. The open-air bath allows you to enjoy the hot onsen slowly without worrying about your surroundings or the time, with the ``Golden Hot Spring'' flowing directly over you. Forget your daily routine for a moment and enjoy your time together.

``Ikaho onsen Washin Yado Omori'' is a long-established ryokan founded in 1919. This inn boasts seasonal meal made with locally produced ingredients such as rainbow trout from Gunma and Joshu beef, as well as a large communal bath with two onsen. It is located close to tourist spots in Ikaho onsen, such as the stone steps and ropeway, so you can also enjoy sightseeing in Ikaho town.

For dinner, there are kaiseki dishes that feature Joshu beef as the main dish, and kaiseki dishes prepared by the chef, all of which look delicious using local ingredients. We also have original sake and shochu, so you'll want to enjoy them with Gunma's gourmet food.

On the rooftop of the inn, there is a spacious open-air bath that can be used by both men and women, as well as a private open-air bath. For couples traveling who would like to cherish more private time, we recommend rooms with a bathtub with a view of the mountains. If you are using an open-air bath or a private open-air bath, you can order the ``Open-air Drink Set'' at the reception counter, which allows you to drink alcohol in onsen, so enjoy a drink with your lover while fully soaking in onsen ♡

"Ikaho onsen Hotel Matsumotoro" is a beautiful hotel that was renewed in the spring of 2018. At this inn, you can enjoy dishes using mainly local ingredients in a kaiseki meal at night and in a buffet style in the morning. The view open-air bath on the 8th floor where you can see the scenery of Ikaho onsen and Mt. Haruna is also wonderful.

meal can be served in-room dining, private dining, or in the dining room, depending on your preference. The seasonal kaiseki cuisine, which is made with locally produced ingredients, is highly satisfying, with a good balance of meat, river fish, and vegetables. If you would like to have dinner included on the day, please contact the inn by 3pm. For breakfast, start your day off healthy with a Japanese buffet filled with fresh vegetables from local farmers.

All of the rooms are spacious, and some offer views of the majestic mountains. If you're traveling as a couple, enjoy your time together in a Japanese-style room with a sense of freedom. Luxury suites are also recommended for travelers who value privacy.

``Ikaho onsen Matsumotoro Yofu Ryokan Pinon'' is an inn where you can enjoy the marriage of cuisine prepared by a chef who is an expert in Chinese and French cuisine. The inn is designed with a British atmosphere, and the interior has a wonderful atmosphere that makes you feel like you've visited a classic inn overseas. Although it is a Western-style ryokan that feels like a villa, it is also a unique inn where you can enjoy two types of onsen.

What sets this lodge apart from other lodges in Ikaho onsen is the "French-style Kaiseki," where you can enjoy French cuisine with chopsticks. It's a stylish experience without being pretentious. There is a wide selection of alcoholic drinks to go with the food, including wines selected by sommeliers, so you can enjoy a marriage with meal. Reservations are required for dinner, so please check in advance.

The rooms with a classical atmosphere are perfect for couples who want to spend some relaxing time together.

"Ikaho onsen ryokan Sakurai" is located in a quiet mountain area a little away from the stone steps of Ikaho onsen. The inn also boasts a dinner where you can enjoy Gunma's local cuisine, four private open-air baths, and guest rooms with open-air baths. In addition to the town bus, you can also be picked up and dropped off at Ikaho's sightseeing spot Ishidangai, so it is recommended for couples who want to spend a relaxing time on their trip. (Shuttle service is available from 15:00 to 18:00)

Dinner, made with seasonal ingredients, can be enjoyed in the privacy of your own room. The menu features seasonal dishes such as Joshu beef, Joshu Mochi pork, and Akagi chicken. Breakfast is a Japanese-style meal served in the dining room.

There are a variety of guest rooms, including rooms with bathrooms, rooms with open-air baths without showers, and rooms with observation baths where you can enjoy onsen. There is also a private open-air bath within the inn, so one of the appeals of this inn is that you can choose a room that suits your budget and preferences. Eat delicious food and relax in the hot onsen.

"Ikaho onsen Hotel Tenbo" is the largest hotel in Ikaho onsen, with a city and resort concept. You can enjoy two types of onsen in the large public baths inside the hotel. The elaborately designed bathtubs are irresistible for onsen lovers. For couples' trips, we recommend the private open-air bath where you can relax together and enjoy onsen "Shirogane no Yu" hot spring, as well as rooms with open-air baths.

There are four meal in the hotel, where you can enjoy a dinner to suit your tastes, such as a buffet where you can taste freshly grilled steaks and freshly fried tempura, as well as kaiseki cuisine in a private room at the restaurant. Please check with the hotel in advance. If you want to enjoy a leisurely meal for two, try kaiseki cuisine at the private restaurant "Yunohanatei." You can enjoy seasonal kaiseki cuisine incorporating the seasonal bounty of Joshu. The beautiful dishes are sure to satisfy both your heart and your stomach.

`` Hibikino'' is an inn that boasts rooms with private baths and open-air baths, perfect for couples' trips. There is also a large public bath where you can enjoy two types of onsen, ``Kogane-no-Yu'' and ``Shirogane-no-Yu,'' flowing directly from the source. There is also a bar, and there are plenty of facilities that will make your couple's trip even more fun!

Dinner is ``Hibikino Shunsai Kaiseki,'' which uses vegetables grown for ryokan, eggs harvested that morning, and local beef and river fish. The menu changes monthly, so you can enjoy plenty of Gunma 's seasonal produce. We also have a wide selection of local sake, so try it with your food.

For couples who want to enjoy some private time, we recommend an annex with an open-air bath made in the Sukiya style. If you stay in a regular guest room or twin room, you can enjoy some time alone in the private open-air bath. Let's take a relaxing onsen together and refresh ourselves.

Hotel Kimura boasts dishes made with plenty of seasonal ingredients and the largest tatami bath in the northern Kanto region. You can enjoy dishes using fresh seafood and mountains, such as Joshu beef raised in rich nature, live abalone dance grilled.

For dinner, there are the "Kazematsuri Kaiseki" course, which allows you to taste carefully selected ingredients from Gunma, beef dishes as the main course, and the "Mega Shabu Kaiseki" course, which comes with 300g of meat. It's perfect for foodie couples.

Guest rooms include spacious Japanese-style rooms with views of Mt. Tanigawa, and rooms with open-air baths are also recommended for couples traveling. You can also enjoy the view of the garden by opening the large windows. It's nice to be able to take a relaxing bath in a hot onsen regardless of the cold season or weather.

``Ikaho onsen Cable Inn Kanouya'' is a 120-year-old ryokan that you can visit by cable car. There is a main building, a south building with an open-air bath and a view bath, and a villa called ``Sora no Niwa'' with an open-air bath.Those who stay in the villa can enjoy the inn's special kaiseki meal. You can walk to Ishidangai in about 5 minutes from the walking path on the premises, so it is also recommended for couples traveling to enjoy the onsen town of Ikaho.

This inn offers banquet meals made with an abundance of seasonal ingredients, as well as banquet meals featuring beef for meat lovers. The "Sora Kaiseki" course, available to guests staying in rooms with open-air baths, features dishes made with high-quality ingredients carefully selected from around the country, such as Joshu beef, abalone, and spiny lobster. How about a couple's trip for a special day?

The open-air baths in the villa have different variations depending on the room. The different views of each open-air bath may also be a factor when choosing a room. There is also a relaxation space in one corner of the room, so it's perfect for couples who love hot springs and want to enjoy onsen onsen over and over again. Also, be sure to take advantage of the large public bath, which has a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

After arriving at the hotel, check-in in your room. Enjoy a welcome drink of champagne and wasanbon, and immerse yourself in an extraordinary experience. All 8 rooms are equipped with open-air baths, so you can enjoy onsen all to yourself. Guests can also use the public bath in the main building "Fukuichi".

You can relax in a spacious structure such as the "Japanese Suite" with a semi-open-air bath that draws Ikaho's famous "Shirogane no Yu" and a special room with a garden and an open-air bath. We are particular about the bedding so that you can relax more, we have six types of pillows prepared by a good sleep therapist, and we have high-quality amenities such as a comfortable Enshu cotton yukata.

You can meal in a private room in the "tea dormitory" specially set up. The creative Japanese kaiseki "Four Seasons", which examines ingredients from all over the country, serves at the perfect timing, so you can enjoy warm food warmly. Breakfast is a Japanese set using kettle-cooked rice and fresh vegetables, and you will be satisfied.

A rustic ryokan with a warm atmosphere where you can enjoy Joshu beef shabu-shabu. There are Japanese-style rooms of 12 tatami mats and 20 tatami mats, so you can relax in the spacious rooms. The large public bath draws water from Ikaho onsen 's ``Shirogane no Yu,'' which can be enjoyed in an indoor bath or a semi-open-air bath.

For dinner, you can enjoy shabu-shabu of Gunma brand beef "Joshu Beef" in your room. The meat is sliced according to the time of dinner, and two types of sauce, sesame sauce and ponzu sauce, bring out the flavor of the marbled meat. There are also vegetables and udon noodles for the end of the meal, and the volume is perfect. It's perfect for couples who want to eat a lot of meat at a reasonable price.

onsen can rent out the indoor and semi-open-air hot spring baths. You can charter one group for one hour, so let's enjoy it leisurely aiming for free time.

A long-established ryokan located on the stone steps in the center of Ikaho onsen. The inn has a long history, where the great literary figure of the Meiji era, Roka Tokutomi, stayed, and there are plenty of baths, including a large public bath, an open-air bath, and four private baths, so you can rent them out as you please. It is valuable that you can enjoy Ikaho's onsen "Kogane no Yu" directly from the source without adding water or circulating.

We have a wide variety of baths, including ``Jinoyu'' with a 1m deep bathtub, ``Takiyu'' that flows like a waterfall, and 4 private baths. It is rare that Ikaho onsen has so many private baths. Perfect for couples who want to enjoy both meal and onsen!

meal Kaiseki cuisine featuring Akagi beef or Joshu beef sukiyaki in your room or at a private restaurant. Dishes that take into account the colors of the four seasons are both visually appealing and filling.

ryokan located under the stone steps of Ikaho. In a location where you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the downtown area, you can enjoy the taste of a Japanese ryokan in the corridors with tatami mats throughout. From the room with an open-air bath, you can see the nature of Ikaho, perfect for forgetting the daily busyness.

There are a variety of guest rooms, including a 10-tatami main room, a 6-tatami-sized next room, a 5-tatami room with a wide veranda, a special room on the top floor, and a room with an open-air bath. If you are a couple, why not choose a room with an onsen spring bath so you can have onsen to yourself privately? Heal your daily fatigue and relax.

meal have a seasonal multi-course meal in the dining room. You can enjoy the taste of the season by using meat, fish, vegetables, etc. in a well-balanced manner. Breakfast is a healthy Japanese set centered on cane porridge to make your stomach eat too much.

This inn boasts a great view, located in a location overlooking the mountains of Joshu, including Mount Akagi, Mount Tanigawa, and the Mikuni Mountains. In addition to spacious standard rooms, there are also rooms with great views, where you can spend a soothing time admiring the mountain scenery. There are also rooms with two adjoining rooms, allowing you to relax in comfort. There are three baths: the large bath "Kamitsuke no Yu" and "Ehigasa no Yu," as well as an open-air bath. The open-air bath, decorated with rocks, is very tasteful and feels so good you'll want to stay in it forever.

Dinner is a seasonal kaiseki dinner at meal. The menu is sumptuous and includes Gunma's brand beef, "Jyoshu beef". The excellent sukiyaki, prepared by the proprietress who trained at a sukiyaki restaurant, is also popular. The umami of the well-seasoned Jyoshu beef will make you eat as many bowls of rice as you like!

Even in Ikaho onsen, if you stay at an inn with delicious food, you'll feel even happier. Enjoy your time together in a onsen town that is a bit different from your usual date, eat the inn's specialty food, refresh yourself in onsen, and make lots of fun memories♡