Kusatsu (草津町 Kusatsu-machi) is a small town in Agatsuma District in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Kusatsu is situated about 1,200 meters above sea level
The Netsu no yu (熱の湯 lit. "hot water"),
though located adjacent to the Yubatake, is a hot spring in its own
right. The water is about 54 degrees Celsius, so it is not possible to
bathe in it. For that reason there is the ancient tradition of Yumomi (湯もみ),
which means kneading or bashing the water. Using 1.80 meter long wooden
boards the hot water is stirred, bashed, kneaded and thus cooled down.
The simpler method of pouring in cold water is not practiced as it would
dilute the healing power of the water. During the Yumomi ceremony, the Kusatsu song is sung and Japanese traditional dance is performed.
The Yubatake, one of the biggest hot springs and the main attraction of
the town, is located in the center of Kusatsu. The spring water pours
out of the rock and is then conducted through several rows of wooden
boxes. In these wooden boxes Yu no hana (湯の花)
one of Kusatsu's specialties is cultivated. The word Yubatake
accordingly means "hot water field". Around the Yubatake there are 100
name plates of famous persons that visited Kusatsu.
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