Chigira Jinsentei
9,1/10 Exceptional - Based on 112 reviews
Chigira Jinsentei is a historic ryokan in Ikaho Onsen, founded in 1502 and long associated with writers and artists. Set along the town’s famous stone steps, the property combines preserved traditional architecture with measured modern comforts. Public spaces include a lounge, souvenir shop and a café-bar where guests can relax after a bath; rooms range from heritage-style tatami suites to annex units with semi open-air baths. This ryokan with onsen in Ikaho offers a sense of place rooted in the onsen town’s compact streets and views over the surrounding hills.
The inn’s hot spring system is drawn from the Ikaho “Kogane-no-Yu” source and pours freely into multiple bathing options: two large public baths (including an open-air bath) and several named private baths—Megumi, Kokoro, Ikoi and Izumi—available without advance reservation when open. The Annex Tsuru-no-I features rooms with semi open-air baths fed by the same golden spring; all onsen facilities use 100% natural free-flowing water. Dining follows a kaiseki-style approach with locally sourced ingredients, and on-site services include a souvenir shop, a small bar and a renovated storehouse for private gatherings.
Practical amenities include on-site parking, Wi‑Fi and barrier-free options such as rentable wheelchairs and accessible private baths, which can be useful for guests requiring easier access. The ryokan’s location places it within easy walking distance of Ikaho Ropeway and other local attractions, making it suitable for both short visits and longer stays. For travellers seeking a ryokan with private onsen Gumma, Chigira Jinsentei presents a measured blend of historic character and functional bathing facilities.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Chigira Jinsentei
Positive Reviews
Varied, high-quality baths
Multiple bathing options including outdoor (separate male/female), indoor (deep and shallow), several private baths and family baths with no time limits; private baths available first‑come, and all baths are well equipped with toiletries.
Excellent food, especially dinner
Large, multi‑course dinners received frequent praise as delicious and well explained by staff; breakfasts were tasty (sometimes smaller) and in‑room meals and onsen‑cooked items (eggs) were highlighted as memorable.
Warm, attentive hospitality
Staff provided very helpful, attentive service — carrying luggage, showing facilities, scheduling meals (using translation when needed), owner interactions noted as special, and staff sometimes went out of their way for guests.
Clean, comfortable traditional rooms
Rooms described as very clean, tidy and comfortable with authentic ryokan ambience; guests appreciated the historic atmosphere and the overall comfort of the accommodation.
Good location and scenic views
Convenient position near the famous Ikaho steps and, when weather permits, stunning views from room windows and outdoor baths were frequently praised.
Negative Reviews
Long and complex public transport from Tokyo
Travel to and from Tokyo can take 2–4 hours with multiple transfers depending on timing, making the journey lengthy and somewhat complicated for public‑transport users.
Limited English information and slow Booking.com responses
Some guests found there was not much information in English for onsen newcomers and experienced slow or limited responsiveness via Booking.com, requiring guests to rely on videos or translations.
Some areas feel dated or dimly lit
The building and lobby can feel older or retro; a few guests noted dim lighting and fluorescent fixtures that created a gloomy impression in common areas.
Occasional cooking/meal‑prep smells affecting rooms
At least one guest experienced cooking odours from a nearby meal‑preparation pantry that affected their room (the hotel did change the room the next day).
Onsen temperature can be too hot for some
Because the water is from the source, a few guests found certain baths uncomfortably hot and wondered about dilution or temperature adjustment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ryokan has 33 rooms with a total capacity around 150 guests; room types include traditional Japanese rooms, twin rooms and suites, and several rooms with semi open-air baths.
The property offers large public baths (Megumi-no-Yu and Taki-yu), open-air baths, semi open-air baths in the annex rooms, and four private baths for guest use; the water is the local Kogane-no-Yu (golden hot spring water).
There are four private baths for guests; availability varies, so please check with reception on arrival to arrange or confirm use.
The ryokan can pick up and drop off guests at town bus stops and certain local landmarks (for example nearby museums); please request shuttle arrangements in advance and note some locations are excluded from pick-up.
Most visitors travel from Tokyo airports by train or bus to Takasaki or Shibukawa, then take a local bus or taxi to Ikaho; if driving, use the Shibukawa-Ikaho IC on the Kan-Etsu Expressway and follow local directions to the Ishidan-gai area.
Staff can assist in English and the ryokan is used to international guests, though English proficiency varies; contact the property in advance for specific language needs.
Standard check-in begins at 15:00 and check-out is by 10:00 (some annex rooms have 11:00 check-out); the hotel asks guests to indicate their expected arrival time in advance.
The ryokan sits just off the Ikaho Stone Steps and is within easy walking distance of the Ishidan-gai steps, Ikaho Ropeway, local shrines and small museums, with Lake Haruna and hiking trails a short drive away.
On-site parking is provided for approximately 100 vehicles and there are EV charging points available; ask the front desk for charging locations and guidance.
Pet policies are not listed on the general information pages, so please contact the ryokan directly for pet requests; convenience stores are located near the Ishidan-gai approach and the ryokan also has an on-site souvenir shop and a café/bar for basic needs.