Tour E | Sample Itineraries | Gunma: Kusatsu/Minakami | Featured Destinations

Tour EThe Ishidan-gai stair climb in Ikaho and delicious Mizusawa udon

In Japan, the top three udon noodles are said to be: Inaniwa udon from Akita, Sanuki udon from Kagawa, and Mizusawa udon from Gunma. Mizusawa udon has a history of some 1,300 years and is said to have originated as a food given to visitors at Mizusawa-dera Temple. After you try this traditional udon for yourself, we suggest taking the Ikaho Ishidan (stone stairway) climb to see the center of Ikaho Hot Springs Town. The area has an air of hot springs, and is excellent for walking around to find traditional hot springs ryokan (inns), gift shops, target practice shooting and other diversions.

Trip Details

Times and train names are current as of September 2011. Because the times and train names are subject to change, they should be used for reference.

dep.
10:00

Ueno Station

approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes on the limited express Kusatsu No. 3.

arr.
11:44
dep.
11:50

Shibukawa Station

Taxi (approx. 20 minutes)

Taxis make sightseeing easy!

Ekikara Kantakun is a great taxi service from JR to help you enjoy sightseeing. The taxis leave from JR stations. A trip of two to three hours by taxi is a convenient way to enjoy the area. Ekikara Kantakun service is available for boarding between 9:00 and 15:00.

The fee ranges from 5,800 to 9,800 yen. Up to four passengers per car. Purchase a taxi ticket in advance from the station counter.

Stations with Ekikara Kantakun service

Stations with Ekikara Kantakun service
Tasaki, Maebashi, Shibukawa, Numata, Jomo Kogen Station
For further details, contact the JR Ticket Office (Midori-no-madoguchi) at your nearest station.

A taxi stand

arr.
12:10

Haruna Glass
(a glass-blowing factory)

Glass-blowing factory tour

Experience traditional glass blowing at Haruna Glass

Watch an artisan glass blower manipulate soft blobs of molten glass in front of your eyes. For those with a bit more time, there is a cold program where participants can even try their hand at simple glass handwork. An opportunity like this does not come along very often. Take the glass-blowing tour for a great challenge!
Total time: 30 minutes

Hours of Operation

8:30 to 17:00

Entrance Fees

The glass-blower tour is free of charge, but there is a charge for the cold program.

Official Haruna Glass website (in Japanese only)

Haruna Glass, where you can experience glass handwork firsthand

dep.
12:40

Haruna Glass
(a glass-blowing factory)

Taxi (approx. 5 minutes)

arr.
12:45
dep.
13:40

Mizusawa-dera
Temple

Taxi (approx. 10 minutes)

Mizusawa udon – one of the three great udons

Mizusawa udon is a handmade udon noodle that has been served near Mizusawa-dera Temple for more than 400 years. It is counted as one of the three great udon noodles of Japan, along with Inaniwa udon of Akita Prefecture and Sanuki udon of Kagawa Prefecture. With a firm body and a translucent appearance, Mizusawa udon tastes so good, you'll be hooked after the first bite.

We heartily recommend Mizusawa udon for lunch.

Firm-bodied Mizusawa udon

dep.
13:50

Ikaho
Hot Springs

Ishidan-gai stair climb (approx. 1 hour)

Ikaho Hot Springs and Ishidan-gai Climb

The ishidan, or stone stairway, is a symbol of Ikaho. On both sides of the stone stairway at Ikaho, gift shops, manju confectionery stores and amusement centers entice travelers while providing a hot spring atmosphere. In 2010, the stone stairway was rebuilt with 365 stairs. The number of stairs expresses the wish that the hot springs town flourish 365 days a year.

As you climb the stairs, stop to wash your tired feet in a foot bath, a more casual version of the hot spring.
Total time: about 1 hour

Ikaho Spa and Resort Tourism Association

Ishidan-gai at Ikaho