After soaking in Ikaho‘s golden hot spring and enjoying the food and games at the shops lining Ikaho Stone Steps, how about venturing out of the city to meet the farm animals and contemporary artworks in an art museum? Especially in early spring, Ikaho Green Bokujo and Hara Museum ARC are the must-visit spots in Ikaho Onsen because of the gorgeous cherry blossom scenery created by around 1,500 cherry trees!
Ikaho Green Bokujo (伊香保グリーン牧場)
If you like farm animals, visit Ikaho Green Bokujo, west of Ikaho Onsen‘s town center. It is a full-scale 40-hectare ranch that spreads out at the foot of a hilly area. More than 300 animals are kept on the ranch, including rabbits, horses, ponies and goats. Sheep shows involving collies and more than 100 sheep are also held a few times a day.
Moreover, there are a couple of activities that you can do at Ikaho Green Bokujo. If you visit the ranch with children, they will definitely enjoy butter and ice cream-making, or even archery!
Just note that most of the activities aren’t free.
Refer to HERE for the farm’s map.
Besides being a place to meet the farm animals, Ikaho Green Bokujo is one of Gunma Prefecture‘s top cherry blossom spots. In mid-April, the Yoshino sakura flowers seen from the farm’s Hilltop Terrace (Miharashi no Oka, みはらしの丘) are like a sea of clouds. With around 1,500 cherry trees of 19 species planted, the cherry blossom season at Ikaho Green Bokujo usually lasts till the beginning of May. Even after the cherry blossom season, the flowering relay continues until autumn, such as azaleas, sage, and salvia.
Tip: Stop by the MouMou Bar for the homemade soft-serve cone. It has a rich milk taste, and you can choose from 3 flavors, vanilla, matcha, and chocolate. The milk or cheese-flavored MouMou Yaki (MouMou焼き) is another delicious snack sold at MouMou Bar.
Ikaho Green Bokujo’s Business Hours, Admission Fee, and Assess Information
- Ikaho Green Bokujo is open from
- 9 am to 4 pm from March to November
- 10 am to 4 pm from December to February
- The last admission is 30 minutes before closing time.
- The admission fee is
- 1,800 yen for adults
- 900 yen for children from 3 years old to elementary school students.
- From JR Shibusawa Station (渋川駅), take Kanetsu Kōtsū’s bus services bound for Ikaho Onsen and get off at Green Bokujo-mae (グリーン牧場前).
- From Ikaho Onsen, you can take the same service but bound for JR Shibusawa Station.
Tip: The Hara Museum ARC and Ikaho Green Bokujo set ticket is available for purchase. It costs 3,000 yen for adults, 2,200 yen for university and senior high school students, 2,000 yen for junior high school students, and 1,300 yen for elementary school students.
Hara Museum ARC (原美術館ARC)
Next to Ikaho Green Bokujo is a contemporary museum worth checking out. Hara Museum ARC was consolidated with the Hara Museum of Contemporary Art in Shinagawa in Tokyo and re-opened in 2021. The art museum, which has three pyramid-shaped roofs, was designed by Arata Isozaki (磯崎新), an architect recognized internationally and taught at Harvard, Columbia, and Yale.
The artwork housed in the artistic buildings was created by well-known artists around the world. There is also a room dedicated to Kusama Yayoi! Not only is Hara Museum ARC’s building filled with high-quality artwork, but the museum’s courtyard also has a couple of contemporary statues.
When you need a break, head to the museum café for soft-serve cream made from Ikaho Green Bokujo’s milk or a cup of hand-drip coffee.
In the Shoin-tsukuri style exhibition room, Kankai Pavilion (觀海庵), you will encounter gorgeous traditional paintings and ceramics from Japan and China, which include Japan’s national treasures and important cultural properties. While photography is prohibited inside the museum, you can snap a few photos with these outdoor statues.
Hara Museum ARC’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Hara Museum ARC is open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
- The last admission is at 4 pm.
- The museum is closed on Thursdays from September to July unless it is a public holiday.
- It is also closed on the 1st of January.
- The admission fee is 1,800 yen for adults, 1,200 yen for elderly 70 and older, 700 yen for university and senior high school students, and 500 yen for elementary and junior high school students.
- Hara Museum is a 7-minute walk from Green Bokujo-mae (グリーン牧場前).
- You can also take a taxi from JR Shibusawa Station, which takes around 10 minutes.
Tip: Pre-purchase the Hara Museum ARC’s ticket HERE by the day before visiting for a 300 yen discount.
Discover Other Attractions in Ikaho Onsen
In addition to Ikaho Green Bokujo and Hara Museum, Ikaho Onsen has a lot more to offer. From the restaurants and shops lining the Ishidan Stone Stairs to a couple more interesting attractions, you will surely want to include some more attractions on your itinerary for your visit to the hot spring town.
So refer to our Best Guide to the Must-Visit Spots in Ikaho Onsen to plan your visit!
