Outline Shibukawa City is located in the center of Gunma Prefecture. Marking the beginning of the magnificent Kanto plain, it is known as an outdoor paradise to the greater metropolitan area and has a long history as a transportation hub, the abundant water resources which are used for industrial development, the mountainous land which is used for farming, and the plentiful hot springs which make it a popular tourist attraction. The southern portion of Shibukawa is adjacent to the prefectural capital, Maebashi. Shibukawa is located about 120 km away from Tokyo (two hours by car on Kan-Etsu Expressway and about one hour and ten minutes by train on Joetsu line and Shinkansen). There are two main train lines, Joetsu Line and Agatsuma Line that run through the city. There are four stations respectively that are within Shibukawa city on these lines. The major roadways are the Kan-Etsu Expressway (Shibukawa-Ikaho Interchange, Akagi Interchange), National Route 17, and National Route 353. The city is surrounded by four major mountain ranges (Akagi, Haruna, Komochi and Onoko) and its valleys have been carved by the flow of Tone and Agatsuma Rivers. Shibukawa is full of peaks and valleys which altitudes differ no less than 1,400 meters. The city’s land is rich in natural resources. Attractions ◆ Ikaho Onsen Area Ikaho Onsen area is characterized by the unique "Stone Steps", which has 430 years history and comprised of a total of 365 steps. It is located at the center of the onsen town and numerous gift shops can be enjoyed alongside the stone steps. The famous poet Akiko Yosano's poem, "The Streets of Ikaho", is engraved into the face of the steps. There are four sets of windows throughout the stone steps which enable you to watch the hot springs water flow. At the top of the steps you can find Ikaho Shrine. Traveling 500 meters beyond the shrine, you will approach "Kogane no Yu" source of hot spring, boasting 4,000 liters of hot spring water in every minute. This source is also known as "Kodakara no Yu". Also, open-air bath is located nearby the source. In this area, there are various spots including Tokutomi Roka Merorial Museum, Takeshita Tomiji Memorial Museum, Ikaho Barrier remains, the villa of the Minister from the Kingdom of Hawaii, and day trip public bath “Ishidan no Yu”. From Hototogisu Station, you can ride to ropeway to the top of the mountain for a breathtaking panoramic view of the area. ◆ Mizusawa Area Mizusawa Temple is located about 10 minutes by car from Ikaho Onsen. The temple boasts a 1,300 year history and is well-known for its "Mizusawa Kannon" (Goddess of Mercy). The temple is always crowded with those on religious pilgrimages. Near Mizusawa Temple, over 10 restaurants serve the popular "Mizusawa Udon" noodle. Mizusawa Udon noodles are celebrated as one of Japan's top three udon noodles and is a must eat for visitors for the area. The shops compete with each other in presenting their traditional dishes, taking pride in their unique recipes. ◆ “Artenade” There are many museums located along the Artenade, a promenade of art galleries along a gentle slow between Shibukawa urban area and Ikaho Onsen area. The name from the Italian "arte" (art) and the "nade" comes from the English "promenade". ☆ Japan Chanson Museum Hall The hall has a café and a garden inspired by the impressionist Monet and offers live chanson shows (on weekends and holidays). The first director of the museum is was Japan's leading chanson singer, Hiroshi Ashino. ☆ Shibukawa City Museum & Hiromori Kuwahara Sculpture Museum Visitors are always allowed to touch the exhibited sculptures in the museum. Many dynamic sculptures by Hiromori Kuwahara are on permanent display. The project exhibition is also open all the time. ☆ Shibukawa Skyland Park Located on a green hill at an altitude of 460 meters, Shibukawa Skyland Park offers a lovely view from the 50-meter-high Ferris wheel. You can see the beautiful Kanto plain and Gunma's various mountain ranges from there. ☆ Gunma Glass Art Museum The exhibits include samples of Art Nouveau glass work of the Dome Brothers, a large-scale stand of Gruber, and the furniture and study room of Louis Majorelle. ☆ Ikaho Green Bokujo In this extensive space, you can enjoy various outdoor sports, milking cows, sheepdog show, and various other animal interactions. ☆ Hara Museum ARC This is the annex of the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Shinagawa, Tokyo, and this museum exhibits various works of Japanese modern art. The museum building is highly valued as one of the best large wooden buildings in the world. ☆ Memorial Museum of Roka Tokutomi You can see the life of Roka Tokutomi in this exhibition room, who lived his life out in his beloved town of Ikaho. Take a dip in a hot spring and heal your mind in this literary pavilion. ◆ Onsen Facilities for Day Trip You can enjoy seven different day trip onsen in Shibukawa. ☆☆☆ Sky Therme Shibukawa You can enjoy a great view from 15 meters high. ☆☆☆ Ikaho hot spring Ishidan no Yu Here you can enjoy one of the most famous onsen in Japan. ☆☆☆ Onogami Onsen Center This onsen is very popular among women, as the hot spring water here is noted to be good for the skin. ☆☆☆ Shiroi Onsen Komochi no Yu You can also enjoy strolling around town after visiting this onsen. ☆☆☆ Akagi no Yu Fureai-no-ie This onsen prides itself on the fact that it is constantly supplied with fresh hot spring water from the local source. ☆☆☆ Utopia Akagi You can also enjoy the hot spring swimming pool with your entire family. ☆☆☆Hokkitsu Onsen Bando no Yu The view of Tone River is wonderful from this onsen. ◆ Cherry Blossoms at Saku Electric Power Plant Site In spring, around 100 cherry blossoms are in full bloom from the Makabe adjustment pond next to the Saku electric power plant. During this season, a great number of people gather from the neighboring districts for picnics in this area. (Best time to view: Early – Mid April) ◆ Double Cherry Blossoms of Shiroi-juku Shiroi-juku holds a vestige of the post town with shiroi-seki waterway which runs through the middle of the street, 8 ancient wells and so on. In spring, around 100 cherry trees are in full bloom and various events including samurai procession are held. (Best time to view: Mid-Late April) ◆ Azalea in Nagamine Park The area between Ikaho Onsen and Lake Haruna includes 5 hectares of azaleas. When in full bloom, it appears as though an artist has painted large red brush strokes on the ground. (Best time to view: Mid-Late May) ◆ Strawberry Picking In Akagi and Komochi area, from early January to early June, strawberry patches are open for public picking. For a small fee, you can pick sweet strawberries. There are also small shops that sell strawberries and delicious strawberry sherbet. ◆ Blueberry Picking The season for blueberry picking comes to Akagi and Komochi areas in early June and visitors can enjoy blueberry picking through the summer until early August. You can eat your blueberries on the spot or take them home to make blueberry jam. The beautiful, small violet fruits will surely satisfy your taste buds. ◆ Hina Festival at Stone Steps Lovely children dressed like Hina (Girls' Day) dolls light up the stage. The stairs of the stone steps, that is the symbol of Ikaho Hot Springs, are used as the doll festival stage. It's sure to be an unforgettable moment for you. (Annually on the Saturday and Sunday closest to 3rd March) ◆ Shibukawa Heso Festival As the center, or "belly button", of Japan, Shibukawa holds this unique festival annually. People parade with faces painted on their stomachs and whenever they dance, their stomachs expand and shrink to show the faces in laughter. (Annually Late July) ◆ Tachibana Furusato Festival This summer festival is held in Atagoyama Park. A legend of Oto-tachibana-Princess and Yamato-Takeru-no-Mikoto is handed down in Hokkitsu area. A parade about this legend takes place, which is performed by local junior high school students. (Annually on Sunday in early August) ◆ Shibukawa Dashi Festival (float festival) Dashi Festival is where elaborately designed floats from different districts of the city parade through the streets of Shibukawa. This festival started in late Edo period. The workmanship of the floats and their splendid ornaments are the best of the northern Kanto Region and they are called "wild floats". (Biennially in Mid-August) ◆ Ikaho Hawaiian Festival KING KALAKAUA “THE MERRIE MONARCH” Since Ikaho is home to the historic site of the Minister of the Kingdom of Hawaii's summer home and has a sister city relationship with Hilo, Hawaii, a special Hawaiian festival is held every year. The festival deepens cultural exchanges between Japanese and Hawaiians. You can enjoy traditional Hawaiian Hula and music performances by one of the winning teams from the Merrie Monarch Hula Competition in Hawaii. (Annually in early August) ◆ Buckwheat Flowers and Apple Picking Autumn and winter are "the seasons of taste" in Shibukawa City. In autumn, the Miyukida area is the host to the beautiful white buckwheat flower. In full bloom, the flowers make for some magnificent scenery. Also, Shibukawa, Komochi and Akagi apple orchards are open for public picking for a small fee. ◆ Ikaho Festival At the traditional Ikaho Onsen’s festival, many elaborately decorated portable shrines parade bravely up the Stone Steps. At the anniversary of the great Roka Tokutomi's death on 18 September, there are a lot of events such as a tea ceremony and the ceremony of drawing hot spring water from the source.