🕓 2024/11/20
#Onsen
A Detailed Guide to the History and Overview of Kusatsu Onsen
Table of Contents
- Overview of Kusatsu Onsen
- History of Kusatsu Onsen
- Sightseeing at Kusatsu Onsen
- Gourmet Food at Kusatsu Onsen
- Famous Hot Springs at Kusatsu Onsen
- Sightseeing Around Kusatsu Onsen
Introduction
Kusatsu Onsen is one of Japan’s premier hot spring destinations, blessed with a long history and abundant natural beauty. Known to every hot spring enthusiast, this area is celebrated for its exceptional water volume and quality, earning it a place among Japan’s Three Great Hot Springs. This beautiful hot spring town offers not only stunning scenery throughout the four seasons but also a wealth of tourist attractions and gourmet food.
In this article, we bring you comprehensive information for fully enjoying Kusatsu Onsen — from its overview and history, to tourist spots, recommended gourmet food, and tips for making the most of the hot springs. Let us delve into the charm of Kusatsu Onsen and provide a detailed guide so that every visitor can experience and thoroughly enjoy its appeal.
Overview of Kusatsu Onsen
Kusatsu Onsen, located in Gunma Prefecture, is one of Japan’s most representative hot spring destinations. Long known as “Kusatsu in the East, Arima in the West,” it is counted among Japan’s Three Great Hot Springs. In particular, its abundant water volume and high quality are renowned nationwide, having captivated countless hot spring enthusiasts. The spring quality is primarily acidic sulfur spring, which is gentle on the skin while also being believed to have therapeutic effects for various ailments.
At its center stands the iconic Yubatake (hot water field), the symbol of Kusatsu Onsen. The Yubatake is a tourist attraction where you can observe hot spring water gushing from the ground up close, making it a must-visit spot when in Kusatsu. The hot spring water that emerges from the Yubatake is supplied to the many ryokan (Japanese inns) and public bathhouses throughout the Kusatsu Onsen town.
One of the famous hot spring traditions is “Yumomi,” a unique method of stirring the high-temperature spring water with large wooden paddles to cool it to a suitable bathing temperature. This “Yumomi” is a popular event among tourists and has become an iconic custom of Kusatsu Onsen. The hot spring town also offers an abundance of gourmet food made with local ingredients and souvenir items unique to a hot spring destination, providing visitors with a variety of enjoyable experiences.
History of Kusatsu Onsen
The history of Kusatsu Onsen, with its ancient origins, is one of the richest and longest in Japanese hot spring culture. It is said that the strong hydrogen sulfide smell of the springs gave rise to the names “Kusamizu” (foul water) and “Kusato” (foul place).
According to legend, Kusatsu Onsen was discovered by Yamato Takeru during the Yamato Court era, and during the Nara period, it is said to have been rediscovered by the monk Gyoki from Sugawara-dera Temple in Yamato Province. There is also a legend that Minamoto no Yoritomo discovered the springs during a hunting expedition in the Kamakura period. Kusatsu Onsen is known as one of Japan’s Three Great Hot Springs, and during the Edo period, it was ranked at the highest position of “Ozeki” in the hot spring rankings. During the Kyoho era of the Edo period, the 8th Shogun Yoshimune had the hot spring water transported all the way to Edo, demonstrating how highly valued it was.
Numerous historical figures have visited Kusatsu. In 1472 (Bunmei 4), Rennyo, the head priest of Hongwan-ji Temple of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, bathed in the springs. During the Azuchi-Momoyama period, Maeda Toshiie and Asahi-hime (the sister of Toyotomi Hideyoshi) also visited. There is even an anecdote of Toyotomi Hideyoshi recommending Tokugawa Ieyasu to take the curative waters here.
Additionally, Kusatsu Onsen is known for its traditional bathing method called “Jikan-yu” (timed bathing), which was established from the late Edo period through the Meiji era. This is an authentic bathing method that uses the source water as-is. Long wooden paddles approximately 30 cm wide are inserted into the bath, and the water is stirred while singing the “Kusatsu-bushi” folk song. This beloved hot spring destination, visited and cherished by many cultural figures and historical personalities, remains popular with people to this day.
Sightseeing at Kusatsu Onsen
■ Yubatake (Hot Water Field)
The Yubatake is the heart of Kusatsu Onsen, located in the center of the hot spring town. As visitors can observe the hot spring water gushing from the surface up close, it is a must-see spot for the many tourists who visit. The hot water that emerges from the Yubatake is supplied to the numerous ryokan and public bathhouses in the surrounding area.
The distinctive landscape of the Yubatake is defined by the rising steam from the hot spring water. These scenes are widely known as iconic images of Kusatsu Onsen, and they are one of the great attractions for visitors, evoking the charm and atmosphere of a hot spring town. Especially in winter, the steam creates an even more enchanting ambiance, captivating all who visit.
■ Netsu-no-Yu
By watching the Yumomi Show, you can experience firsthand the traditions of Kusatsu Onsen. The performance demonstrates the traditional method of stirring the high-temperature hot spring water with large wooden paddles to lower the temperature. This method serves not only to cool the water but also to increase its oxygen content, providing a healthier and more pleasant bathing experience.
The Yumomi Show is conducted as part of an effort to let tourists experience the culture and history of Kusatsu Onsen. During the show, the yumomi is performed to the tune of the folk song “Kusatsu Yoi Toko Ichido wa Oide” (Come Visit Lovely Kusatsu), and visitors can watch this powerful performance up close.
■ Sainokawara Park
One of the park’s main attractions is its open-air bath, among the largest in Japan. This rotenburo (open-air bath) offers the special experience of soaking in hot springs while enjoying the scenery of each season amid the vast natural surroundings, truly becoming one with nature. At night, the hot spring sources within the park are illuminated, further enhancing the enchanting atmosphere. This illumination is particularly beautiful against a backdrop of winter snow, adding a romantic touch to quiet evenings in the hot spring town.
■ Yukemuri-tei
An all-cypress gazebo located right beside the iconic Yubatake of Kusatsu Onsen. This foot bath facility is open to visitors free of charge, allowing you to enjoy the historic ambiance of Kusatsu Onsen while taking in views of the hot spring town.
The foot bath at Yukemuri-tei is a precious spot where you can experience Kusatsu’s high-temperature, strongly acidic spring water, providing a convenient way to receive the benefits of the hot springs. This facility was modeled after “Matsuno-yu,” a communal bathhouse that existed on this site during the Edo period. Being open 24 hours, it is easy to stop by during early morning or late-night strolls.
■ Otaki-no-Yu
Otaki-no-Yu is one of the most popular day-trip hot spring facilities in Kusatsu Onsen, known as “Beauty’s Bath” for using the Nikawa hot spring source. This facility is renowned for its skin-beautifying spring quality, attracting many visitors seeking its therapeutic benefits.
Another major attraction of Otaki-no-Yu is the opportunity to experience the traditional “Awase-yu” (blending bath) method. “Awase-yu” involves combining hot springs of different temperatures to achieve a comfortable bathing temperature, maximizing the benefits of the spring’s properties while providing a pleasant bathing experience.
■ Yugama (Crater Lake)
Yugama is a crater lake located at the summit of Mt. Kusatsu-Shirane, measuring approximately 300 meters in diameter and about 30 meters deep, characterized by its milky emerald-green water. This color is caused by iron ions, sulfur, and other minerals in the hot spring water rising from the lake bottom, reflecting only green light when sunlight shines upon it. The 1882 eruption covered the summit area with volcanic rock, and the contrast between this white mountainside and the green lake creates a breathtaking view.
■ Shateki Honpo Mandarado (Shooting Gallery)
Shateki Honpo Mandarado is a shooting gallery located in the Kusatsu hot spring town where you can enjoy old-fashioned target shooting. Here, you can try your hand at shooting for 500 yen per 10 shots, with various figurine prizes available based on your score. Offering a fun, free-style activity for families and couples alike, it is the perfect activity for breaks during your Kusatsu Onsen visit.
■ Kusatsu Glass Workshop
A glass studio where original works expressing the colors of Kusatsu Onsen are recommended as souvenirs. Hands-on workshops in tonbo-dama (glass bead) and glass blowing are also available.
■ Shirane Shrine
Shirane Shrine is located near the Yubatake of Kusatsu Onsen, on an elevated ground overlooking the hot spring town. Dedicated to the volcanic Mt. Shirane, the shrine was originally situated at the mountain summit but has since been relocated to a site near the town. Also known as a beautiful rhododendron viewing spot, it is revered as the guardian deity of Kusatsu Onsen. During the Ujigami Festival on July 17-18, young men dressed in white ceremonial garb carry a portable shrine through the streets.
■ Sainokawara Street
Sainokawara Street is the main thoroughfare connecting the Yubatake to Sainokawara Park, bustling with tourists. Along the street, you’ll find an array of shops including izakaya serving local gourmet food and soft-serve ice cream, cafes popular for their hot dogs and sandwiches made with special bread, stores offering a wide variety of karinto cookies with free samples, shops selling the classic onsen souvenir manju (steamed buns), and specialty stores filled with beautiful glassware.
Gourmet Food at Kusatsu Onsen
■ Yakitori Shizu
“Yakitori Shizu” is a popular restaurant operating right next to the Yubatake in Kusatsu Onsen, serving fresh grilled chicken skewers. Open from 3 PM through the evening, enjoying yakitori while gazing at the beautiful Yubatake scenery is an exceptional experience. The carefully grilled skewers at the storefront include a varied menu of negima (chicken and scallion), chicken skin, gizzard, tsukune (meatballs), and more.
■ Yamabiko Onsen Manju
“Yamabiko Onsen Manju,” located near the Yubatake, is a Japanese confectionery shop popular for its “age-manju” (deep-fried hot spring buns) — a creative twist on the traditional onsen manju. These deep-fried buns feature a crispy coating with smooth bean paste inside, and a subtle saltiness that accentuates the sweetness. The tall building with a large sign serves as a landmark, and it is perfect for eating while strolling along the Yubatake.
■ Matsumura Manju
“Matsumura Manju,” founded in 1945, is a long-established shop known for its traditional onsen manju (hot spring buns). The thin dough is flavored with brown sugar, and the house-made koshi-an (smooth red bean paste) is characterized by its refined and elegant sweetness. The buns can be eaten on the spot, and the building, featuring an artistic mosaic mural, serves as a landmark.
■ Tamaya Shoten
Tamaya Shoten is a liquor store located right in front of the Yubatake, offering a rich selection of local sake and making it popular for souvenir shopping and evening drinks at your inn. They also sell large dango (rice dumplings) grilled over charcoal, and watching them being prepared at the storefront is an enjoyable sight in itself. The dumplings are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, available with two types of sauce: walnut miso and soy sauce (with a sweet option).
■ Kusatsu Onsen Pudding
Kusatsu Onsen Pudding is a pudding specialty shop located in a white-walled building on Sainokawara Street, with its “Night Yubatake Pudding” being particularly popular. This pudding features a beautiful purple color made with butterfly pea tea, and adding lemon juice creates a fun color-changing experience. The “Tamago Pudding” (Egg Pudding) is also popular, often selling out by morning, so an early visit is recommended. The shop also has photo spots inside, allowing visitors to enjoy the Instagram-worthy beautiful puddings.
■ Yoritomo
Yoritomo is a pickle shop in Kusatsu Onsen, but it is especially renowned for its onsen tamago (hot spring eggs). These eggs are served in lidded cups with a flavorful dashi broth, cleverly designed for convenient standing-and-eating. They also offer “Yukemuri Konnyaku” (steam konnyaku jelly) and amazake (sweet rice drink) — perfect items for snacking while exploring.
■ Terakoya Honpo
Terakoya Honpo is a rice cracker shop on Sainokawara Street from the Yubatake, with 40 locations nationwide. Their diverse “nure-okaki” (moist rice crackers) are particularly popular for snacking while walking. Available in various flavors such as sweet soy sauce, wasabi soy sauce, and mayonnaise-topped varieties, these crackers offer a novel, soft texture that is uniquely enjoyable.
Famous Hot Springs at Kusatsu Onsen
■ Otaki-no-Yu
Otaki-no-Yu is a day-trip hot spring facility using the especially precious “Beauty’s Bath” Nikawa spring source in Kusatsu Onsen. Here, you can experience the traditional “Awase-yu” (blending bath), which naturally cools and adjusts the temperature of the spring water. Twice a month, a special “milky white bath” is also available. The facility features a main bath, outdoor bath, and private baths, providing visitors with a rich bathing experience.
■ Shirahata-no-Yu
“Shirahata-no-Yu” is a historically significant communal bathhouse said to have been discovered by Minamoto no Yoritomo, located in the center of Kusatsu Onsen very close to the Yubatake. This hot spring uses 100% natural water from the Shirahata spring source and is open to visitors free of charge. Its appeal lies in being able to feel history while easily enjoying the hot springs.
■ Goza-no-Yu
Goza-no-Yu is a facility that richly reflects the tradition and culture of Kusatsu Onsen, rebuilt based on one of the communal bathhouses that existed around the Yubatake from the Edo to Meiji periods. Inside, there are two bathing rooms — “Ki-no-Yu” (Wood Bath) and “Ishi-no-Yu” (Stone Bath) — and two types of spring sources from the Yubatake and Bandai are provided on alternating days. At this facility, you can experience and compare different spring qualities.
■ Jizo-no-Yu
“Jizo-no-Yu” is a communal bathhouse using 100% natural spring water from the Jizo hot spring source, characterized by its slightly milky white water. Managed and used by local residents, this communal bathhouse is an ideal spot to visit during walks through the Kusatsu hot spring town. A free foot bath is also available 24 hours, allowing visitors to casually enjoy the benefits of the hot springs.
Sightseeing Around Kusatsu Onsen
■ Mt. Shirane
Mt. Shirane, easily accessible from Kusatsu Onsen, is an ideal spot for hiking and trekking. Particularly famous is the Yugama, a mystical emerald-green crater lake that can be visited from spring through autumn. While surrounding roads are closed in winter, during other seasons you can enjoy alpine plants and the moon-like landscape of Sessho-gawara (literally “killing field”).
■ Kusatsu International Ski Resort
Kusatsu Onsen Ski Resort is one of Japan’s most historic ski resorts, first opened in 1914. Over time, it has been equipped with various slopes and facilities suitable for beginners through advanced skiers. During winter, visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at the resort, which features excellent snow quality and attracts many winter sports enthusiasts. Being able to soothe tired muscles in the hot springs after skiing is another one of its great appeals.
■ Kosen-ji Temple
Kosen-ji Temple is a Shingon-shu Buzan-ha temple located just a 1-minute walk from the Yubatake of Kusatsu Onsen. The deep connection between this location and Kusatsu Onsen can be traced to the legend of the hot spring’s discovery. According to legend, the temple was founded by the Bodhisattva Gyoki, and throughout its long history, it has been worshipped by many people.
Notably, the temple grounds house the “Late-Blooming Nyorai” (Buddha), which emerged after 300 years. Its mystical presence attracts many worshippers, and the area is always bustling with people seeking “Late-Bloomer Fortunes” and “Late-Bloomer Charms.”
■ Ousen-no-Taki Falls
Ousen-no-Taki Falls is one of the magnificent natural beauties found near Kusatsu Onsen. Located to the southeast of Kusatsu Town, this waterfall presents an impressive sight with its 25-meter drop. The name “Ousen” (meaning “old woman sage”) conveys the image of a long-lived immortal, and the water cascading down the red rock face emanates a delicate yet mystical beauty, as if it were an ageless hermit.
Particularly noteworthy is the massive katsura (Japanese Judas tree) near the falls, which has been selected as one of Japan’s “100 Giant Forest Trees.” This tree boasts an overwhelming presence with a height of 35 meters and a trunk circumference of 6.7 meters, making visitors feel the greatness of nature. The “100 Giant Forest Trees” refers to trees selected in 2000 by Japan’s Forestry Agency to represent the national forests, as part of an initiative to preserve the natural environment and pass on Japan’s rich natural heritage to future generations.
Conclusion
Kusatsu Onsen is one of Japan’s Three Great Hot Springs, renowned for its abundant water volume and quality. In this article, we have introduced the charm of Kusatsu Onsen through its overview, history, sightseeing, gourmet food, famous baths, and surrounding attractions. As a hot spring destination beloved since ancient times, highlights include the Yubatake, Yumomi Show, and Sainokawara Park with its open-air baths. You can also enjoy gourmet food made with local ingredients. By experiencing the nature, culture, and traditional bathing methods of Kusatsu Onsen, visitors can find healing for both body and soul.