This hot spring is noted in Japanese mythology "Manyoushu" which is the first written book in Japan. So, this area has about 2000 years of history. The town was built around 1575 by Takeda. The stone stairs located in the middle of the town were actually built by this time.
The hot spring water is very low temperature and not much contain the healing material. However, there are many hotels and restaurants around this hot spring. So, Ikaho is still very famous travel spots.
Most of hotels has hot spring spa, but there are also public bath which use the hot spring water. So, you can visit this town just for hot spring.
In the fall, you can enjoy great autumn tints in Ikaho. There is beautiful light up for that.