Chigira Jinsentei (Ikaho Onsen)

Elegant and sophisticated-design uniform for hospitality

Ikaho Onsen - One of Japan's Famous Hot Springs

Ikaho Onsen, one of Gunma Prefecture's representative hot spring resorts, is located at the foot of Mount Haruna, a famous mountain in Gunma, often called “Haruna Fuji” because of its shape similar to Mt Fuji. It is such a historic hot spring resort that it was even mentioned in the Manyo-shu, Japan's oldest existing anthology of poetry, which is believed to have been established at the end of the Nara Period (710-794). Ishidangai, the main street of the hot spring resort, is built on a steep slope and has 365 steps leading up to the Ikaho Shrine at the top. The stone stairway is lined with long-established ryokan (traditional Japanese inns), souvenir shops, and classic amusement parlors where visitors can play shooting gallery games, all of which evoke a nostalgic atmosphere.

There are two types of hot springs in Ikaho: “Kogane hot spring” which is characterized by the color of its water, and “Shirogane hot spring,” which is clear and colorless. Kogane hot spring has a unique brownish color due to oxidation of the iron contained in the hot water when exposed to the air. Because the water is non-irritating and soft on the skin, Ikaho Onsen has been touted by many people as a place for recuperation and relaxation and has also been known as a “fertility hot spring” especially for women because it warms the body from the core and promotes blood circulation.

Long-established Ryokan Located on Ishidangai

Chigira Jinsentei is located in the middle of Ishidangai, Stone Step Street, the symbol of the Ikaho hot spring resort. Founded over 500 years ago, it is one of the oldest ryokan in Ikaho Onsen. The ryokan was founded in 1502 by Sogi, a famous poet of renga (linked poems), who visited the ryokan to cure his paralysis and called it “Megumi no Yu” (hot spring of grace) for its efficacy. The inn also gets its name from the hot spring.

Chigira Jinsentei boasts a long history and is also known as the inn associated with Tokutomi Roka, a best-selling author of the Meiji and Taisho eras (1868- 1927), and the setting of his masterpiece “Hototogisu. He may have been writing his masterpiece while bathing in the rich “Kogane hot spring,” which still flows from the spring, and gazing at the endless clear skies of the Jyoshu mountain range and Tanigawadake mountains. A letter from Tokutomi Roka to the head of the family is displayed at the Reception.

Baths with an Abundance of Hot Water to Enjoy “Kogane (gold)”

In addition to the inn's symbolic “Megumi-no-yu,” and “Taki-yu” where you can enjoy a waterfall bath in a retro atmosphere, there is an open-air bath with a view of the Jyoshu mountain range and the town of Ikaho. There are also four private baths that can be used without reservations and without time limits, all of which are 100% free-flowing hot springs, and are also “Kogane hot springs,” which are very effective in warming you up. Some guest rooms are equipped with a half-open-air bath, allowing guests to enjoy the famous hot spring of Ikaho according to the occasion.

I would love to introduce to you not only the wonderful baths but also the charms of the ryokan itself. "We welcome you with a warm atmosphere as if you were at home.” These are the words from the inn's official Japanese website, and as they say, the three-story wooden building in a purely Japanese style is sophisticated, yet somehow cozy. The retro-inspired lighting gently illuminating the space and the gentle scent of incense wafting in the air help to set your mind at ease.

In the souvenir shop, the young proprietress has carefully selected souvenirs by contemporary artists, and you are sure to find something enjoyable just by walking around the facility. In addition to the souvenir shop, there is another souvenir shop called “Yamanoha” on the premises of the inn. There you will find elegant and unique items such as clothing, food, books, and accessories collected from all over Gunma, so you can have a good experience here as well.

Stylish Dining Experience

Food is an essential part of travel and one of its most enjoyable aspects. Chigira Jinsentei’s acclaimed and delicious cuisine uses carefully selected local ingredients and emphasizes the colors of the four seasons. Japanese kaiseki ryori style meal plans are available for both breakfast and dinner.

In addition to the fine cuisine that can be enjoyed inside the inn, Chigira Jinsentei also offers a delicious experience on the premises. On the way up the stone steps to the inn, you will first see the “QUATRE CLUB” on your right. This beer stand opened in August 2023 and offers a variety of carefully selected craft beers, coffee, and homemade juices in a liberating atmosphere.

Beyond that is "Rakusuirakusan", a café by day and a bar by night, and a great place to relax. This stylish café, which reopened in January 2024, offers a relaxed atmosphere and cocktails. These stores are spots where both overnight guests and visitors for the day can stop by. Not only will you enjoy the hot springs, but your stay in Ikaho will be even more enjoyable.

Reasons for Introduction and Feedback

The young proprietress of the ryokan contacted us intending to replace their previous uniform. She wanted to change the standard trousers to Hakama style bottoms. This is because putting the jacket of the samue into the hakama gives a smarter, more solid, and clean impression. Based on this request, we tried many iterations in order to commercialize the product, and after confirming the final prototype with her, it was completed. A thin back support board is inserted in the waist portion of the trousers.

The fabric used for the uniform was the same used for our T/C Burberry-ori Samue, which is characterized by its beautiful luster and deep, elegant color. We recommended this samue because of the moderate thickness of the fabric, which is comfortable to wear year-round, and the ease of care unique to cotton and polyester blend fabrics.

Different colors were selected for women and men. For women, the jacket is gray and the pants are black, and for men, the jacket and pants are dark navy. Since the colors for women are different on the top and bottom, a black collar was sewn inside the jacket as an accent. This enhances the harmony of the jacket and trousers, resulting in a more stylish piece of clothing. The young proprietress commented, “At first glance, it is chic, cool, and elegant”.

Future Outlook

Chigira Jinsentei, a long-established ryokan with a history of over 500 years, continues to innovate to meet modern needs while preserving its traditions. One of the hot topics as of September 2024 is the activities of Sekiraku Co., Ltd.,

Sekiraku is a community development company established to revitalize the Ikaho hot spring resort district. As a member of this company, Chigira Jinsentei is renovating and revitalizing a 100-year-old ryokan, located halfway up the Ikaho stone staircase, that was closed down several decades ago. The renovated building will house a restaurant and select stores, making a visit to Ikaho even more enjoyable.

The goal of “respecting the history and story of the building and making it an exciting place for tourists, while also maintaining harmony with the local community” will brighten the future not only of Chigira Jinsentei but also of the entire Ikaho Onsen Spa Resort.

Promotional Movie