Major city · Japan
Shibukawa渋川
Half a day to see Ikaho onsen town and the view from Mount Haruna; one night if you want a full onsen stay. Not a base for Gunma.
Shibukawa is a small city in Gunma, known as the 'belly button of Japan' for its central location. Most visitors come for the Ikaho hot spring area, with its stone steps and ryokan, and for the views of Mount Haruna, Mount Akagi and Mount Komochi. The city itself is a transit point: you can see the main sights in a few hours, but an overnight stay in Ikaho gives you the full onsen experience.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Golden Week
- Airports
- NRT · HND
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Shibukawa110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Shibukawa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyShibukawa is a safe small city.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNRT Narita International Airport (About 2.5 h by N'EX and Shinkansen to Takasaki, then local train to Shibukawa).
- Getting aroundBuses run frequently between Shibukawa Station and Ikaho (about 15 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealBeer: draught in a restaurant / can at a konbini¥500–700 (≈ US$4–5)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxiLate-night surcharge after 22:00.Late-night surcharge after 10:00 PM.¥2,000–2,500 (≈ US$14–17)
- Metro or bus rideBus Shibukawa Station ↔ Ikaho¥300 (≈ US$3) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketOnsen entry (public bath)¥500–1,000 (≈ US$4–7)
- Budget bedCapsule or hostel bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥15,000 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedBusiness-hotel double room, a night, per room¥35,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥7,000 (≈ US$50) · Mid ¥13,000 (≈ US$90) · High ¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NRT Narita International Airport (About 2.5 h by N'EX and Shinkansen to Takasaki, then local train to Shibukawa) · HND Tokyo Haneda Airport (About 2 h by Keikyu and Shinkansen to Takasaki, then local train)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Feb
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Apr–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Jan (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Shibukawa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
4 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
5 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
10 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
12 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses run frequently between Shibukawa Station and Ikaho (about 15 min). Taxis are available but more expensive. A car gives flexibility for Mount Haruna and Green Bokujo.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ikaho Onsen
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Bus from Shibukawa Station, about 15 min
The stone steps, public baths and ryokan; a half-day trip.
Mount Haruna
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus or car from Shibukawa, about 30 min
Views of Mount Akagi and Mount Komochi; hiking trails.
Green Bokujo
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Bus or car from Shibukawa, about 20 min
Farm with animals and activities; good for families.
Takasaki
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Local train from Shibukawa, about 20 min
Shinkansen connection, Daruma doll temple and shopping.
Minakami
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Local train from Shibukawa, about 40 min
Onsen, rafting and hiking; a full day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ikaho Onsen
Ryokan and hotels along the stone steps; best for the full onsen experience.
Shibukawa Station area
A few business hotels near the station; convenient for early departures.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥7,000–11,000 (≈ US$50–75) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥12,000–20,000 (≈ US$85–140) excl. bed
- High
- ¥25,000 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Ryokan (per person with dinner and breakfast)2 × 1 night × ¥20,000 | ¥40,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥13,000 | ¥26,000 |
| Bus Shibukawa Station ↔ Ikaho, one way2 × ¥300 · check | ¥600 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥7,160 |
| Trip total≈ ¥39,380 per person per day, bed included | ¥78,760≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Sweet potato sweets (local speciality) | ¥500–1,000 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Beer: draught in a restaurant / can at a konbini | ¥500–700 (≈ US$4–5) / ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| 5 km taxiLate-night surcharge after 22:00.Late-night surcharge after 10:00 PM. | ¥2,000–2,500 (≈ US$14–17) |
| Bus Shibukawa Station ↔ Ikaho | ¥300 (≈ US$3) (check) |
| Onsen entry (public bath) | ¥500–1,000 (≈ US$4–7) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ikaho's stone steps are steep; wear comfortable shoes.
- Onsen etiquette: no tattoos in many public baths (check with your ryokan).
- Last buses from Ikaho to Shibukawa run around 18:00–19:00; check the timetable.Last buses from Ikaho to Shibukawa run around 6:00 PM–7:00 PM; check the timetable.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Shibukawa渋川
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Tokyo; most other countries: embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shibukawa Station → Ikaho, bus: about ¥300 (≈ US$3), about 15 min (check)
- Taxi Shibukawa Station → Ikaho: ¥2,000–3,000 (≈ US$14–25)
- Local train Shibukawa → Takasaki: about ¥400 (≈ US$3), about 20 min (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
- ここまでお願いします — To this address, please (koko made onegai shimasu)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Shibukawa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Golden Week · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ikaho Onsen ryokan pages with tattoo-friendly baths and meal options.
- Mount Haruna hiking trail page with seasonal closures.
- Heso Matsuri event page with dates and access.
- Bus timetable page with last departure times.
Sources
Ask about Shibukawa
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