Kusatsu is a good place. Please come once.
[ Maniac Japan Travel -Kanto koshin ]
Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉) is one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts and is blessed with large volumes of high quality hot spring water said to cure every illness but lovesickness.
Well known as a hot spring resort for many centuries, Kusatsu’s fame was further boasted by German doctor Erwin von Baelz, who served at the imperial court in the late 1800s and recommended Kusatsu for its water’s health benefits.
Kusatsu is situated at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, and offers skiing in winter and hiking during the rest of the year to be enjoyed in combination with hot spring bathing. Kusatsu is also located along Japan’s Romantic Road.
Yubatake
The Yubatake (湯畑, lit. “hot water field”) is the symbol of Kusatsu and one of the resort’s main sources of hot spring water. In fact, with an output of 5000 liters per minute, the yubatake ranks among Japan’s single most productive hot spring sources.
After bubbling to the surface at a temperature of more than 70 degrees Celsius and with a pleasant sulfur odor, the hot spring water is cooled down in the yubatake’s wooden conduits by a few degrees before it gets distributed to the various ryokan and public baths.
Many ryokan and shops are clustered around the yubatake and there is a steady stream of visitors, many of whom wear yukata and geta (traditional sandals) in the evening when the yubatake is lit up. There is also a foot bath (ashiyu), that can be used for free.
Sainokawara Park
Sainokawara Park (西の河原公園, Sainokawara Kōen) covers a valley not far from Kusatsu town center, where several hot spring sources and a large outdoor bath are located. Walking trails around the upper part of the park lead through the nice natural landscapes.
Hot spring water can be seen bubbling to the surface here and there, collecting into hot water pools and running down the valley in warm streams before joining the central mountain stream. There is also a small waterfall fed by hot water.
The park’s other main attraction is the Sainokawara Rotemburo, consisting of two large, gender separated outdoor hot spring pools with a capacity of 100 bathers each.
Yumomi
Yumomi (湯もみ) is the centuries-old method employed to cool down Kusatsu’s hot spring water to bathing temperature without diluting it with cold water and thus attenuating its special qualities.
The cooling is achieved by stirring the water using large wooden paddles and is carried out by a troupe of locals who incorporate traditional folk songs and dance into the process. Yumomi performances are held daily in the Netsunoyu building, which stands adjacent to the yubatake. They last around half an hour and afford some audience members the opportunity to partake in the stirring.
AloJapan.com