Ikaho Onsen Akari No Yado Okabe

We had such a good time on our first visit that we booked another stay for the week after next. We plan to try "Yuuhoshi Yuzutsu" next, and we're already joking about putting on more weight. On our first trip, after spending time near the stone steps, we checked into the inn, which apparently has just four rooms and is "the smallest in Ikaho." Its simple, sleek look appealed to me. Our room, "Kagirohi," was bright, modern, and spacious, with clear, uncomplicated instructions. We tried the Kinoka Bath before dinner. It was light and roomy, smelled of wood, and had plenty of space for a family. The water is called Shirogane no Yu. It felt good to stretch out, though the spring is stronger than you'd expect, so a long soak isn't advisable. Dinner was served at big tables in the comfortable dining room. There were fresh ingredients, lovely dishes, and sake on request. We ate a lot, from the starters through the fruit, and were too full for another bath afterward. In the morning, after a short walk and coffee in the lobby, we tried the other bath before breakfast. It uses the same spring water, but is made of stone. Sunlight came in over its spacious, elegant design, and we stayed until thoroughly warmed up. Breakfast was another generous spread, with everyone at the tables eating and asking for more. The natto was especially memorable. We ended up needing the whole rice cooker for seconds. On another visit, I came back on February 18, 2026, after arriving just before 4pm the previous day. It was my second stay, and I've decided this is a regular spot for us. I went straight to the cypress bath and relaxed in the thick, metasilicic acid-rich water while watching the Olympics before dinner. Both meals were delicious and I finished everything, including seconds. But the dinner shrimp, sashimi tuna, and grilled fish didn't fit for me. This is Ikaho in Gunma, a landlocked prefecture. I'd rather see pride in local food, like freshly picked wild vegetables, bear, boar, and deer, or sweetfish and trout. I hope that happens someday. The natto rice, though, was divine. This time's "Yuusei" would have earned 100 points if it had a seat. A seat would be more useful than a massage machine, and if the humidifier had worked properly, it'd have been a sure gold medal. I'll leave four stars and hope for improvements.