VISITS to the hot spring have become an integral part of the Japanese since ancient times, and there is no shortage of onsens to cater to the locals. There are thousands of these geothermally-heated springs across Japan’s major islands.
The mineral-rich waters of the onsen is said to enhance health as one of its benefits. It can relieve fatigue and stress, ease muscle pain, to last I can relate to as a traveler. Yes, I believe the Japanese when they say an onsen experience is like being in heaven.
My first onsen experience was at the Tombo no Yu. I soaked my ten-days-of-foot-travel muscle pain away in an outdoor pool at the foot of the Karuizawa Mountain in Nagano prefecture. It did wonders and I emerged a rejuvenated traveler.
Gunma is an hour away from Tokyo. The flapping crane-shaped prefecture located at the center of the Japan is known as the Onsen Country. Its onsens is said to be the best in Japan. Kusatsu, Ikaho, Minakami, and Shima are four of the most notable onsen areas in Gunma.
I was back in Gunma after seven years and made to one of the four famous onsen spots— Ikaho. It was a stop intended for a genuine Japanese meal experience on tatami mats at the Oyako Tamaki, an elegant inn beside the famed steps of Ikaho.
But a visit to Ikaho is not complete without dipping in one of its pools. Luckily, the inn had a hot spring pool. It features Okahi Onsen’s famous “golden” and “silver” hot spring waters in its large shared bath, the Hashibami no Yu. What makes it more relaxing is the view the spring bath and the sauna provide— the Tanigawa mountain range.
The other large bath is al fresco. Tama-ibuki no Yu is the dipping pool filled with “silver” hot spring water. The wooden tub is made of hinoki cypress.
Sulfate spring water has a reddish brown tone. It is referred to as the “golden” hot spring. It has therapeutic effects on muscle aches, joint pain, stiff shoulders, hemorrhoids, poor circulation, to name a few.
The metasilicic acid spring water is clear and referred to as “silver” hot spring. The water is said to promote health and assist in the recovery from fatigue or illness.
Before dipping in the onsen a good bath, which involves a lot of scrubbing, is the norm. I did that before heading to the steam bath and dipping in the pool.
The water was totally relaxing. I wish I could stay longer but it is not advisable to stay in the water for an extended of time. More importantly, I was needed at the tatami-laden dining area for lunch. The kitchen refuses to serve the meal until we were complete. Imagine the “hangry” eyes staring at me as I entered the room.
Oyado Tamaki is at 87-2 Ikaho, Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa-shi, Gunma.
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