Shibukawa

Shibukawa (渋川) is a city in Gunma, known for hot springs in Ikaho (伊香保) area.

Understand
Shibukawa is known as the belly button of Japan, as it is in the very centre of Japan (not taking Okinawan islands into count). Famous for the "Heso Matsuri" or belly button festival, Shibukawa lies in the shadow of Mount Haruna with great views of Mount Akagi and Mount Komochi. Shibukawa municipality includes the famous hot spring resort town of Ikaho.

Tourist information site
The local tourism association maintains a multilingual guide site.

Get in
Shibukawa is easily accessible by train from Takasaki station, which can be reached by Shinkansen (bullet train). By car it can be accessed via Route 17.

Get around
Busses travel frequently between Shibukawa and Ikaho and can be caught from the station. Taxis are also available, but are a little more pricy.

See
Ikaho is worth a day visit at least, but a weekend is well spent there. Green Bokujou and Shibukawa Skyland Park are great places to take the kids.

Shibukawa station has a visitors centre which has more information on must see spots. There is also a map outside of the station, written in Japanese and poor English.

Do
Shibukawa station has a visitors centre which has information on the many activities the area offers.

Eat
Shibukawa's famous sweet potato sweets are a must try.

Sleep
Ikaho has many hotels, while Shibukawa proper has a few hotels in close proximity to the station.

Go next
Numata, Minakami and Nakanojō are accessible from Shibukawa via road or rail.
 * Fujimi
 * Takayama
 * Showa
 * Higashiagatsuma
 * Shinto
 * Yoshioka
 * Takasaki