Yokotekan is an inn in Ikaho Onsen, Gunma, founded as a hatago, a travelers’ inn, in the Hoei era (1710–1720). Its main building, a four-story inn built entirely of Japanese cypress in 1920, is a registered tangible cultural property of Japan. Before you book, three things matter: west wing rooms have no bath or toilet; three private family baths are free by reservation; and visible tattoos must be covered in the baths.
Yokotekan in Ikaho Onsen at a glance
| Item | Official information |
|---|---|
| Address | 11 Ikaho, Ikaho-machi, Shibukawa, Gunma |
| Founded | Hoei era (1710–1720), as a hatago |
| Main building | 1920, all cypress, four stories; registered tangible cultural property |
| Room hours | 15:00 to 10:00 the next morning |
| Curfew | None; front desk service until 23:00 |
| Baths | Two large baths, three free private family baths, two paid private baths |
| Bath cleaning | All baths closed 10:00–15:00 daily |
| Tattoos | Visible tattoos must be covered |
| Phone | 0279-72-3244 (7:00–22:00) |
From the official site and terms of stay, read October 20, 2026.
The signboard on the main building is in the hand of Tokutomi Soho, the journalist who founded the Kokumin Shimbun newspaper in 1890. The inn also has a table-tennis room (balls are 150 yen each) and a relaxation salon. Some days are closed in October; check the calendar in the inn’s news before you pick dates.
West wing or east wing: which room should you book at Yokotekan?
| Main building, west wing | Main building, east wing | |
|---|---|---|
| Built | 1920, all cypress | Not stated |
| Rooms | 14, no two alike | 8 (7 Japanese-Western, 1 Western) |
| Size | Main room of 8 to 14 tatami mats, plus side room and veranda | Not stated |
| Toilet | Shared, in the hallway | In the room, with washbasin |
| Air conditioning | Yes | Yes |
From the official rooms page, read October 20, 2026.
Why stay in the west wing?
The west wing is the 1920 wooden building that makes the inn a cultural property, and each of its 14 rooms is built differently. The trade-off is plumbing: there is no bath or toilet in the room, and you use shared toilets and washbasins in the hallway. Bathing is in the inn’s baths.
Is there an elevator?
Yes, on the east wing side, up to the 3rd floor. The 4th floor is reached by stairs only, so ask for a lower floor if stairs are hard for you.
The baths at Yokotekan
What is the water like?
The baths use Ikaho’s “golden water”, a sulfate spring. The inn says it is heated, with no water added, no bath salts and no recirculation: it flows straight through.
When are the large baths open?
The two large baths, Gekko-no-yu and Orizuru-no-yu, swap between men and women and are open 15:00 to 10:00. All baths close for cleaning from 10:00 to 15:00 every day. The official pages do not mention an open-air bath.
How do the private baths work?
Three private family baths (Ichi, Ni and San) are free for staying guests, by reservation on a first-come basis, for about 50 minutes, from 15:00 to 25:00 (1 a.m.) and 6:00 to 10:00. Two more private baths, Sawarabi and Matsukaze, cost extra even for guests; the official pages do not give the price.
Can I bathe with a tattoo?
Not with a visible tattoo. The FAQ asks guests to cover tattoos, for example with a tattoo cover. Our tattoo and onsen guide explains how covers work in Japan.
Meals at Yokotekan
Where is dinner served?
The terms list dinner from 18:00 to 20:00. On the basic plan, a Gunma-style Japanese set meal is served in your room or a private dining room. The “Dining Plan” serves a limited-number Joshu kaiseki course in the dining room on the 1st floor. The inn is certified as a Gunma local-produce restaurant and stocks many Gunma sakes.
Can the inn cook vegetarian?
Yes. The FAQ says a vegetarian menu is available if you consult the inn in advance. Allergies are not covered on the official pages, so contact the inn before you book.
Getting to Yokotekan
By train and bus
Take the JR line to Shibukawa Station (about 25 minutes from Takasaki), then the Kan-etsu Kotsu bus bound for Ikaho Onsen, about 25 minutes, to the Ikaho Onsen stop. The inn is about 3 minutes on foot, or call the inn after you get off and it will pick you up.
From Tokyo by highway bus
JR highway buses run from Tokyo Station (Yaesu South exit) and Busta Shinjuku to the Ikaho Ishidan-gai stop, then it is 10 to 20 minutes on foot.
Is there parking?
Not near the inn. Park at the inn’s own car park (210-2 Ikaho) and ride the inn’s shuttle to and from the building. The parking fee is not stated.
Children, cancellation and payment at Yokotekan
What do children cost?
The terms apply child rates to elementary school age and under: 70 percent of the adult rate with adult-style meals and bedding, 50 percent with children’s meals and bedding, and free for small children who need no meals or bedding.
What is the cancellation policy?
The terms of stay have a cancellation table, but we could not read the rates reliably, so we leave them out. Check the rule on your plan before you book. If you do not arrive by 20:00 on the day without calling, the booking may be treated as canceled. See our hotel cancellation guide.
How do I pay, and what else is added?
You pay at the front desk when you leave; the terms list cash, travelers’ checks, vouchers and credit cards, but not which card brands. The booking page shows prices per room per night, tax included. Ikaho also charges a bathing tax; confirm the amount with the inn. Our onsen bathing tax guide explains the tax.
What foreign guests should know before staying at Yokotekan
- The official website is in Japanese only; its Language button opens Google Translate. The booking page has an English version.
- The top page has an AI chat concierge, and the phone line is open 7:00 to 22:00.
- Foreign guests register their nationality, passport number, and place and date of entry.
- Plan your bath around the 10:00–15:00 cleaning break.
- Some days are closed; check the calendar before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Do rooms at Yokotekan have a private bathroom?
Can I bathe at Yokotekan with a tattoo?
Are the private baths at Yokotekan free?
Does Yokotekan have a curfew?
How do I get to Yokotekan without a car?
Bottom line (2026): Yokotekan lets you sleep in a 1920 cypress building that is a cultural property, with flowing golden-water baths and three free private family baths. Pick the east wing if you want a toilet in the room, cover any tattoos, and book on the official English booking page.
Sources
Every fact on this page is from Yokotekan’s official pages: home (Japanese), about, rooms, baths, meals, FAQ, access, terms of stay and news, and the official English booking page. All were read on October 20, 2026. Prices and rules change; check the official site before you book.
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