Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Premium Ikaho
6,8/10 Good - Based on 99 reviews
Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Premium Ikaho sits within Ikaho Onsen and presents a contemporary mid-scale ryokan experience built around its bathing and dining facilities. The property comprises roughly 40 guestrooms and has recently been refreshed under a premium repositioning that updated guest rooms, the lobby and public bathing areas; visible changes include a premium lounge with a fireplace and complimentary drink counter, a larger restaurant floor with a live kitchen, and adjustments to the main bathing complex to introduce semi-open-air elements.
Bathing is central to the offering: multiple communal baths combine indoor and semi-open-air layouts, while a portion of renovated rooms now include private open-air baths or dedicated indoor bathtubs for in-room soaking. Those room-level bathing options make the hotel suitable for travelers searching for a ryokan with private onsen Gumma, while the reworked communal washing areas and post-bath lounge preserve the social and restorative aspects of onsen culture. Facilities and layouts emphasize privacy where possible without removing the shared onsen experience.
Room types range from traditional Japanese-style layouts to Japanese–Western hybrids, many featuring in-room baths alongside standard conveniences such as air conditioning and in-room amenities; several room descriptions explicitly list an indoor bath. Dining leans on buffet and seasonal local dishes prepared at the live kitchen, and practical services include free on-site parking and luggage handling. Positioned close to Ikaho’s stone-step shopping street and the ropeway, the property fits families and couples seeking a well-equipped ryokan with onsen Gunma in a compact, walkable onsen town.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Premium…
Positive Reviews
Convenient, central location
Many reviewers praised the location at the foot of Mt. Haruna and walking distance to the Ikaho stone steps, shops and nearby convenience store — convenient for sightseeing and access to local attractions.
Friendly, attentive staff
Multiple guests highlighted polite, helpful and cheerful staff at reception and in the dining room, contributing to a pleasant stay and good service experience.
Good onsen experience
Guests enjoyed the hot springs (including outdoor baths and a non-mixed onsen), reporting relaxing baths and improved skin feel; unique features like the kamaburo sauna were noted positively.
Wide range of facilities and entertainment
The property offers various amenities — massage chairs, table tennis, karaoke rooms, comic corner, board games, yukata selection and a souvenir shop — keeping families and groups entertained.
Spacious rooms and practical conveniences
Many visitors found the rooms roomy and comfortable, appreciated lift access to room levels, free parking and overall layout that suits families (e.g. beds plus futons), making stays easy and relaxed.
Negative Reviews
Aged building and maintenance needed
Several reviews mentioned that the property looks dated with worn carpets, peeling wallpaper, damaged floors and other signs of aging; guests suggested a general makeover of building and some onsen areas.
Inconsistent food quality and value concerns
While some enjoyed the buffet selection, others found the food disappointing (sushi and buffet items), noted many frozen items, and felt breakfast/dinner could be overpriced or overpromised compared with expectations.
Cleanliness and odors issues
A few guests reported cleanliness problems, including stained carpets, a room with an unpleasant smell and disliked conditions around some bath areas; overall cleaning standards were mentioned as lacking by some reviewers.
Limited wifi and room amenity problems
Wi‑Fi access was reported as limited to the lobby only by at least one guest. Other room-related issues included lack of power outlets at washbasins, narrow/small toilets in some rooms, and occasional air‑conditioning malfunctions.
Safety/comfort concerns in bathing areas
Some reviewers noted slippery areas around the outdoor bath and slimy rocks near the source, raising safety and comfort concerns; signage was reported as insufficient to warn guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room capacity varies by type; many Japanese-style rooms sleep families using futons and some standard rooms list up to 3 adults. Cribs and extra beds are generally not available, so check the specific room description when booking.
The ryokan offers public hot-spring baths with indoor and semi-open-air elements after its 2025 renewal, featuring the local Ikaho spring waters. Baths are gender-separated for public use.
Some renovated premium room types include a private open-air (rotenburo) or in-room bath; availability depends on the room category you choose. Refer to the room details when reserving.
Public onsen areas may restrict visible tattoos in line with local onsen customs; guests with tattoos should ask about private-bath options or request guidance at check-in. Small tattoos may need to be covered or use private facilities if offered.
There is no regular airport shuttle; the property is best reached by public bus or train plus local bus, or by car from the Shibukawa‑Ikaho IC (about 30 minutes). Contact the ryokan directly if you need assistance or to ask about possible pick‑ups from nearby bus stops.
From Tokyo take a shinkansen or limited express to Takasaki or Ueno/Shibukawa and then a local bus to Ikaho (total ~1.5–2.5 hours), or use highway buses from Shinjuku directly to Ikaho (about 2–2.5 hours). Travel from Haneda/Narita by direct bus routes is also possible but substantially longer.
Staff generally provide basic English service at reception, though Japanese is the primary language; signage and some guest information may be in limited English. If you need detailed help, bring a translation app or ask in advance for assistance.
The hotel serves buffet meals with a live‑kitchen concept after the renovation, featuring local Gunma specialties and seasonal items; breakfast is offered buffet style. A premium lounge provides complimentary drinks and a relaxed seating area for guests.
The ryokan is within walking distance of Ikaho’s Ishidan‑gai stone steps and about 500 metres from the Ikaho Ropeway, with shops, eateries and convenience stores close by. Mount Haruna and other regional sights are accessible by local bus.
Standard check‑in is from 15:00 and check‑out is by 11:00; luggage storage is available before check‑in and after check‑out. Pets are not allowed on the property.