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analogous to those of Kusatsu, but much less strong. Unhappily the tanks are repulsively dirty, and it is impossible to use them.
2nd day. From Sawatari to Ikao, about 2 ri.—The road is very picturesque, now ascending, now descending. Travel on foot, on horseback or in kago only is possible, and this is also the case on the road from Kusatsu to Takasaki. Ikao is a large village, built in terrace form on a high elevation; from it you look down upon an immense plain, the basin of the tributaries that flow into the left bank of the Tonegawa, which I have already described.
There is a very good inn called Chigira almost at the entrance of the village and on the right side of the main street. From this inn you have a magnificent view, and as a spring of hot water enters the very house there are great facilities for bathing. The tank is clean and well arranged. The water is a little too warm for Europeans and must be cooled somewhat before entering it. Its temperature is from 45° to 48° (centigrade).
It does not appear to contain any salt, and it produces a pleasant sensation on the skin; it is a little muddy and must contain clay in a state of solution. Outside the tank, in the inner court of the inn, a small pond has been made from the cooled water, and there may be seen gold fish living in a temperature of 35° (centigrade).
Ikao is surrounded by woods, and the temperature of the air is very pleasant. In this place a summer might very comfortably be passed, because here are fewer invalids than at Kusatsu, and the surrounding country is much more varied in scenery and picturesqueness. Besides this you are only one day’s journey from Takasaki, where whatever may be wanted can be procured from Yedo.
3rd day. From Ikao to Takasaki about 6 ri.—The road is picturesque. The descent into the valley, where the temperature unfortunately rises again, is rapid.
4th day. From Takasaki to Ota. 1012 ri.
5th day. From Ota to Tochigi. 10 ri.
6th day. From Tochigi to Habashi. 10 ri.
7th day. From Habashi to Nikkô. 5 ri.
