Exploring the BEST hidden gem outside Tokyo! (Ikaho & Kusatsu in Gunma)

I had no idea this place existed in Japan and I am SO glad I found it! If it isn't already, a visit to the Gunma prefecture should be on your Japan wishlist and Ikaho and Kusatsu are the perfect towns to explore first.
Want to visit?
Visit Gunma Website: tinyurl.com/mvemdx79
📍 Onioshidashi Lava Flow: www.princehotels.co.jp/amuse/...
📍Tenku Dining: www.kuzanbo.jp/index_en/
📍Ikaho Stone Steps: www.ikaho-kankou.com/en/about...
📍Kajika Bridge: www.visit-gunma.jp/en/spots/k...
📍Hotel Matsumotoro: www.matsumotoro.com/
📍Ikaho Toy, Doll and Car Museum: www.visit-gunma.jp/en/spots/i...
📍 Udon Saya Mizusawa Manyotei: manyotei.com/company.html
📍 Mizusawa Kannon Temple: mizusawakannon.or.jp/en
📍Kusatsu Onsen Gensen Ichinoyu: www.kusatsu-ichinoyu.jp/
📍Tempura Kotarou: kusatsu-kotaro.com/
📍Yumomi and dance show: www.kusatsu-onsen.ne.jp/netsu...
📍Sainokawara Rotenburo: sainokawara.com/en/
📍Yakuzen Sabo Takimitei: tabelog.com/gunma/A1004/A1004...
📍Izakaya Mizuho: tinyurl.com/42t5aknr
📍Lake Shima SUP by Green Discovery: www.greendiscoveryjapan.com/s...
📍Shima Onsen Kashiwaya Cafe: www.onsen-cafe.com/e/
📍Takasaki Daruma: www.daimonya.jp/en/
Taxi Company: asaka-taxi.co.jp/
📱Find Travel Sims: tinyurl.com/getyoursim
✈️ Search Flights: skyscanner.pxf.io/R50ba7
🎟️ Find Experiences: tinyurl.com/4eentpf5
📍Explore Hotels: tinyurl.com/LGBHotels
🧳 July Luggage julyau.sjv.io/GmQ6n9
💻 Book the best activities: gyg.me/HF4EyXMu
🚙 Pre-book your airport transfer: kiwitaxi.tp.st/8kK0umsb
If you found this video useful (or entertaining), I'd be grateful if you considered using the affiliate links above. I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Rest assured, these are the products and services I use and love.
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#TravelWell

[@tietan867]

You guys really should be a traveling partner at all times. You both are great and happy for each other. 😊

[@travelforphoebe]

You’re so kind! 🥰✌🏻

[@aa-zy9iu]

Gunma is my hometown. Thank you for coming🥰 まさか群馬に来てくれるなんて、、、 嬉しすぎます！！

[@travelforphoebe]

Wowww! It’s so beautiful I love it 😍🫶🏻

[@user-np2cj1cr7s]

この二人の笑顔には引き込まれる何かがありますね、本当に素敵です。長く旅してるようですが、体調管理には気を付けてくださいね。

[@travelforphoebe]

Thanks for watching! 😍

[@youngcrippen]

That lava flow has a 60s Star Trek vibe about it. So weird and beautiful. Also - that toy museum is ticking my boxes. Your editing is really top notch on this one. Loving this!

[@travelforphoebe]

haha omg you're right, it does have that feel to it! Thank you for the lovely words about the editing :) I'm really finding my flow lately!

[@ShelterCats]

Japan is top of my bucket list. Breathtaking.

[@travelforphoebe]

You won’t regret visiting! I am obsessed with Japan 🥹

[@ShelterCats]

@@travelforphoebe gotta get you ok my podcast.

[@chantalvanrooyen3881]

Gosh all these places look incredible. Ikaho looks like my kind of place…the old steps, the in and out shops and food spots….amazing!!! Also, the lack of ‘foreign’ tourists always makes me want to go there- haha. The Onsen vibes give me cosy pigeon out from the rain and I’m here for it… ❤

[@travelforphoebe]

So glad you feel that vibe too!! It’s so nice to go somewhere and be the only ones like that. The locals were all so happy to have us and incredibly welcoming. I love that connection 🥰

[@henryescobar6803]

Keep traveling together you guys looked so happy

[@travelforphoebe]

So sweet of you! 🫶🏻

[@mylahbarreto5265]

Love all the activities on these trips as well!

[@travelforphoebe]

Glad you like them! :)

[@FelixCattenstart]

Konnichiwa! You’ve explored so much ways to just take it easy and relax off the beaten track. The water with that supping looked so super blue, it was unreal 😮. Thanks a lot for sharing this off-the-beaten-track episode. Have a wonderful weekend 🤙

[@frankrogerbuaroy1779]

Great vlog Phoebe.I really enjoyed!😃

[@travelforphoebe]

That makes me so happy to hear 🥹😍

[@Lovelifeandtravel]

You looked so relaxed and happy! Great video as always ❤

[@travelforphoebe]

Hahah very much so! 🥹😍

[@Maison.Blanc7]

Another great video Phoebe ❤

[@travelforphoebe]

Thank you!! 😊

[@harshneesalsation7582]

You guys look so happy!! Sending good vibes and thank you for sharing this video!! Ikaho looks so cool 🤩

[@travelforphoebe]

Thank you so much! Loving Japan 😍

[@janethmcphie9358]

This is amazing, all the places are so beautiful. Spectacular scenery, lots of great food and fun things to do. It is nice that the both of you enjoy your travels together. I enjoyed this video so much, must look at it again. Thanks for sharing.😊

[@travelforphoebe]

Thank you so much! :)

[@user-rk8tz8nj9r]

ありがとう‥ 今回も素晴らしかったです。 次回も楽しみにしてます‥❤

[@travelforphoebe]

Thank you so much 🥹🥰✌🏻

[@chrismarston9065]

Another great video, Phoebe! I'm not sure if it's just me but I feel like your editing is really ON at the moment. Thanks for putting in such a great effort with these.

[@travelforphoebe]

Thank you sooooo much! 😍 I’m so glad you noticed! I’m really starting to find my flow with my filming and editing style 🥰

[@user-zq5hl3rh8m]

Kon-nyaku is a kind of potato. Gunma is one of the famous places as their farms produce. Texture is totally different buy yet you can find them everywhere in hot soup bawl like oden in a different form. It cleans up your stomach with their fibers.

[@travelforphoebe]

Thanks for watching :)

[@mylahbarreto5265]

Love Ikaho! Ikaho? All of the spots are cute and amazing!!

[@travelforphoebe]

So glad you think so :)

[@tantra7]

Phoebe, you can't have a breakdown of your food:what you ate & price , & did you find it tasty (we are planning a trip-but need to workout exact budget)- those handmade noodles looked delucious

[@Neil_C]

Eating magma..... ROTFL!!!!!! You guys are awesome 🙂. Thanks again for sharing your wonderful life experiences, Phoebe.

[@travelforphoebe]

😂😂😂 it cracked me up so much!

[@Neil_C]

🤣🤣🤣@@travelforphoebe

[@bernabecaneta6154]

Friend good evening advance Merry Christmas and Thaks for sharing this video GodBless yuo allways and yuor family ✌️❤️

[@travelforphoebe]

Thank you! 🥰

[@Kimiotazunete]

草津温泉からロマンチック街道に行くと１００もの温泉と美味しい食事や田舎の生活が見れて昭和村では見たことのないほどの太いアスパラガス😋や他の田舎では美味しい池魚やお酒などが楽しめて素晴らしいです。1週間以上はかかるけどね!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mylahbarreto5265]

Love seeing these less traveled areas!

[@travelforphoebe]

I hear you! It's so good to go somewhere off the track :)

[@kurofune.uragabay]

That Onioshidashi lava flow park, _in autumn_ , is like a japanese style garden, but on steroids. Woah. Great vlog, thanks guys.

[@travelforphoebe]

It’s soooo beautiful 😍😍

[@kurofune.uragabay]

@@travelforphoebe It definitely is. If you haven't been to Sakurajima, I think you'd probably like it as well. There was a massive eruption just over a century ago and you can walk over the lava flows around the shore, south of the ferry port (among other places). It's not the same beautiful dark andesite rock, and the vegetation is not as nice and diverse either (1 century to re-colonize instead of 2 1/2 from Asamayama's last large "angry vent"), but on the other hand the views of Kagoshima Bay are quite something (...and of course Sakurajima-san can "go" at any moment, which adds a little bit of excitement to things)

[@lancei2235]

Konbanwa Looking forward to the next one

[@travelforphoebe]

Thank youuuu 😍😍😍

[@user-ud8fk5lz9w]

Hallo congratulation to both of you that you have to films out to us videos vlogs great and beautiful country as Japan l think so you will have injoy of its one of famous country in the world may you have successfully the whole times a long your journey thanks.

[@user-nk8yw1py6z]

Welcome to Gunma Prefecture! Konnyaku is a healthy food with no calories and lots of fiber.

[@NAOKIKAI-rj4oq]

Thank you for your hard work. I am a tourist bus driver living in Gunma Prefecture. I watched your videos and felt a strong connection. I would love to drive and introduce tourists to the famous spots and delicious food in Gunma Prefecture. I can speak English, so please feel free to reach out to me in the future.

[@travelforphoebe]

Thank you so much!

[@YordyTube]

Great video again! Not sure if you’ve already mentioned it elsewhere, but what equipment are you using? I can’t imagine footage like this coming out of an iPhone, not even in Apple Log… what other cameras are you using to get this quality footage? Enjoy the rest of your journey!

[@caseydargusch]

Those places look amazing!! You had me at Banff 😂my favourite place on earth!! Question if you don’t eat seafood is there still plenty of eating options?

[@travelforphoebe]

It is a little trickier if you're vegan/vegetarian but not impossible! I'd just recommend having Google Translate so you can communicate it clearly and you may need to do more research when planning where to eat :) Yes, I adore Banff too!

[@Flyingpotatos]

Unfortunately, in many rankings, Gunma Prefecture is considered to be one of the "least popular places" in Japan. So I'm grateful that you chose the place where I live.

[@travelforphoebe]

I absolutely love Gunma! I hope more people see this and visit because it’s really so special 🥰

[@BenCrathan]

What a great video . My brain was “he’s not eating a rock surely!!!”

[@travelforphoebe]

😂😂😂 it was all I could do not to laugh while he was filming it!

[@louisemcclennon6718]

It's not bad it's... challenging 😂 my new way to describe odd foods 😂

[@travelforphoebe]

hahahahaha

[@costasworldofmusicmemories5792]

Many years ago, when touring Japan, we spent time in Gunma prefecture in Kusatsu and Ikaho in summer. We attended a paddleboard yoga class conducted in the water. And yes, we also experienced the relaxing baths not self-conscience being nude. Harriet and I are planning another trip to Japan in late March 2024 to spend more time in the South. We can never get enough of Japan. As always Phoebe, Great Video ! Great to see you having fun. Luv Ya❤ Hugs and Kisses ! from Harriet, Jim and Yuki Richmond, Va.

[@travelforphoebe]

Oh wow!!! So amazing you’ve been there 😍😍 thank you soooo much ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@user-shinha]

The water quality of Kusatsu Onsen is very acidic. It has strong bactericidal properties and it is even said that "the best doctor in Kusatsu is a hot spring". It is also said that diseases other than love can be cured.

[@travelforphoebe]

Wowww! 😍 it certainly made me feel amazing!

[@user-mv2de4li3s]

日本を満喫❤　　ウェルカムジャパン😊ありがとう。

[@travelforphoebe]

Thank you so much ♥️🫶🏻

[@user-um5zt2eq7j]

旦那さんすごいイケメンで妙に納得。

[@user-gi2ei7im3n]

😊😊😊😊

[@viffer94]

Konnyaku on a stick is weird. More likely to find it in a nabe or an oden. The flavor probably isn’t offensive but it’s a texture thing, kind of a gelatinous firmish puri puri-ness that most westerners would find odd. I believe it’s outlawed in Australia because it poses a choking hazard to the young and elderly.

[@travelforphoebe]

It was so weird!! I gotta say, I didn’t love the flavour so much but I’d be open to trying it again 🥰

[@anitamonro5148]

Hot Springs are the best. I went to the ones at Innot outside Ravenshoe in far north qld.

[@travelforphoebe]

Thanks for watching :)

[@anitamonro5148]

@@travelforphoebe always. It's my Monday night viewing.

[@pp6687]

Hey Phoebe I’ve just booked a trip to Japan in September and am really enjoying all your videos especially this one so much so I’m wanting to add these places in my itinerary. You say it’s an hour train from Tokyo but where exactly as every time I search how to get to Ikaho and kusatsu its telling me over 2 hours away. I noticed you were driven around I tried to use your taxi link but it’s all in Japanese 😅 any help would be appreciated 🙏🏽

[@travelforphoebe]

So sorry it took my a while to reply :) When I open the taxi link with Google Chrome, it gives me the option to 'translate to English,' it's just an automated pop-up that appears. So, for me, it's in English. Yes, so the time spent on the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kaurizawa Station was 1 hour for me. That was my starting point to see the lava flow. Depending on where you're starting from and where you plan to arrive, time will vary. For me, 2 hours to get there is very fast!

[@pp6687]

@@travelforphoebe thank you so much it is definitely on my list now 🤍

[@Avalarion87]

I was last year in Kusatsu after my stay in Tokyo. I took the shinkansen from Tokyo to Karuizawa Station and from there the bus to kusatsu and its the same way i would go there again. The bus route is nice and u see alot of Japans countryside (~80min) :D There is also a bus from Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station to Kusatsu

[@chromists]

君たちはどうしたらこんな内容の濃い動画を作れるの？ How can you guys make such a rich video?

[@travelforphoebe]

Thanks for watching :)

[@Vijay_S2024]

You’re most happier person

[@travelforphoebe]

Always! 🥰

[@user-jr5pj3hi6v]

セブンイレブンの氷のカップは店内で作るんですよ😊

[@travelforphoebe]

Thanks for watching :)

[@shefchenko]

Konnyaku is nice stomach filling food because it contain only water & fiber so it's zero calorie

[@travelforphoebe]

That’s crazy!!!

[@miafia7371]

Dear Phoebe, so sorry I am not updated on your journey. Me and my husband have got Covid. I´ll come back. Take care! 🧡Granny Mia

[@travelforphoebe]

Oh no! Please get better soon x

[@user-kn4mm8tx6y]

You my gem,my fortune.shamim 👫🌟👏🎯✔🕊💙

[@nowgaku]

Japan is your second home,right?

[@JeewaThathu]

Please come sri lanka again

[@travelforphoebe]

♥️🙏🏼

[@yasuhiro8200]

俺の地元に来てくれてありがとうございます😊

[@travelforphoebe]

Thanks for watching :)

[@nighttrain6039]

京都もいいんだけどさ、人多過ぎなんだからこういう所に来なさいな外国人さん これから冬本腰になってくるともっと美しくなってくるよ東日本は

[@travelforphoebe]

Thanks for watching 🥰🥰

[@user-narb]

ご飯にお箸を立てるのは縁起が悪いのでやめましょう。その行為は、葬式での儀式なのですよ。

[@deshantharushika]

❤❤

[@travelforphoebe]

✌🏻😌

[@yipmabaruya1148]

Good night from PAPUA NEW GUINEA,

[@travelforphoebe]

Thank you 🥰

[@yipmabaruya1148]

@@travelforphoebe welcome