A Wooden Bathhouse Inspired by the Edo and Meiji Periods
Goza-no-yu recreates one of the five communal baths that once stood around the Yubatake area. Its design is based on the traditional architecture of the buildings used by people who stayed in Kusatsu during the winter months from the Edo period through the Meiji period.
The building is constructed primarily from wood. Its roof uses traditional wooden shingles known as tonton-buki, while the walls are finished with white plaster, giving the exterior an appearance reminiscent of historic Kusatsu.
Inside, visitors are surrounded by the warmth of natural wood. Soft lighting creates a calm atmosphere, while the building’s high, open structure provides a sense of spaciousness. The combination gives Goza-no-yu the elegant atmosphere of a traditional Japanese inn.
A Bathhouse with a Legendary Connection to Minamoto no Yoritomo
The name Goza-no-yu is traditionally associated with a legend concerning Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of Japan’s Kamakura shogunate.
According to the tradition, Yoritomo visited the area and sat on a stone known as Goza-no-ishi, or “the stone where he sat,” before bathing in the hot spring that came to be called Goza-no-yu. Whether the story is historically accurate is uncertain, but it is one of the many legends reflecting the long history of Kusatsu’s hot springs and their association with travelers, warriors, and literary figures.
Kusatsu Onsen is located at an elevation of approximately 1,100 meters, with Mount Kusatsu-Shirane rising nearby. Volcanic activity has created abundant hot spring resources, and the area is famous for its enormous natural discharge of hot spring water.
An old saying describes Kusatsu’s waters as being able to cure almost every ailment except “lovesickness.” This traditional expression reflects the area’s long history as a destination for hot spring bathing and therapeutic stays.
Two Bathing Areas and Two Distinctive Hot Spring Sources
Kino-yu — Surrounded by the Warmth of Wood
As its name suggests, Kino-yu is a bathing area designed around the natural beauty of wood.
The bathtub is made from Japanese cypress, the pillars use hiba cypress, the floor is made of oak, and the ceiling uses cedar. The aroma and texture of the wood create a warm and relaxing atmosphere.
The soft character of the wooden interior contrasts beautifully with Kusatsu’s powerful hot spring water, creating a bathing environment where visitors can enjoy both nature and traditional craftsmanship.
Ishi-no-yu — The Solid Beauty of Granite
Ishi-no-yu, by contrast, features a substantial design centered on granite.
The cool, solid texture of the stone combined with rising steam creates a more substantial and historic atmosphere. Because Kino-yu and Ishi-no-yu have distinctly different designs, visitors can enjoy a different atmosphere each time they visit.
The two bathing areas are used alternately by men and women on different days.
Yubatake Source and Bandai Source
One of Goza-no-yu’s most distinctive features is the opportunity to experience two different hot spring sources: the Yubatake Source and the Bandai Source.
The Yubatake Source is the central hot spring source that gives the Yubatake its name and is one of the symbols of Kusatsu. The water is a strongly acidic sulfur spring with a pH of approximately 2.0. Traditional wooden channels are used in the Yubatake area to help cool the extremely hot spring water before it is distributed.
The Bandai Source is a relatively newer source that began flowing from a sulfur mine tunnel in 1970. With a natural temperature of approximately 95°C (203°F), the water is extremely hot. Today, heat-exchange equipment is used to adjust the temperature before the water is distributed around Kusatsu.
Bandai Source is classified as an acidic chloride-sulfate spring and has a somewhat more intense bathing character than the Yubatake Source.
Both sources are used as natural-flow hot spring water without dilution. Experiencing the differences in temperature, texture, and atmosphere between the two sources is one of the special attractions of Goza-no-yu.
About the Mineral Properties of Kusatsu’s Hot Springs
Kusatsu’s hot springs are generally characterized as strongly acidic, low-mineral-concentration, high-temperature springs, with a pH of around 2.0.
The strong acidity makes it difficult for many microorganisms to survive, contributing to the hot springs’ long-standing reputation for cleansing and antimicrobial properties.
Historically, Kusatsu developed as a major toji destination. Toji refers to the traditional Japanese practice of staying at a hot spring resort for an extended period as part of a regimen centered on bathing and rest.
Various traditional indications have historically been associated with Kusatsu’s hot springs, including muscle and joint discomfort, nerve-related pain, skin conditions, and fatigue. These descriptions belong to the history of hot spring therapy; they should not be taken as a substitute for modern medical treatment.
Enjoy a Comfortable and Safe Hot Spring Bath
Before Entering the Bath
Visitors should avoid bathing immediately after drinking alcohol, eating a large meal, or engaging in strenuous exercise. These situations can place additional stress on the body.
It is also important not to stay in the bath for excessively long periods. Limiting the number of bathing sessions and taking adequate breaks can help prevent overheating and discomfort.
A Traditional Approach to Bathing
Before entering, begin with kaburi-yu, gently pouring some hot spring water over the body to help it adjust to the temperature.
Starting with a partial bath, such as soaking up to the waist, can also help the body gradually adapt. A first soak of approximately 5–10 minutes is a reasonable traditional guideline, but visitors should leave the bath sooner if they feel uncomfortable.
After bathing, drink plenty of water and take time to rest. Because Kusatsu’s hot spring water is particularly hot and strongly acidic, visitors should pay attention to their physical condition rather than trying to remain in the bath for as long as possible.
Explore Kusatsu in a Yukata
Goza-no-yu offers rentals of yukata, lightweight traditional Japanese robes commonly worn at hot spring resorts.
After changing into a yukata, visitors can stroll around the Yubatake and surrounding streets, where steam rises from the hot spring channels. Walking through the historic-looking town in a yukata can create the feeling of stepping back into the atmosphere of old Japan.
On the second floor, a spacious 45-tatami-mat hall provides a panoramic view of the Yubatake. It is a pleasant place to relax after bathing while watching the activity around Kusatsu’s central hot spring source.
Visitors can also enjoy local treats and drinks, including the popular Kusatsu Onsen Drinking Yogurt. Around the Yubatake, numerous shops sell traditional sweets, steamed buns, souvenirs, and other local specialties.
After sunset, the illuminated Yubatake takes on a particularly atmospheric appearance, making an evening stroll another enjoyable way to experience Kusatsu.
Explore Three Famous Bathing Facilities
Goza-no-yu is also part of the popular Three Baths Tour, together with Otaki-no-yu and Sainokawara Open-Air Bath.
The Three Baths Tour Pass allows visitors to use each of the three facilities once. The pass does not have an expiration date, making it convenient for visitors who are staying in Kusatsu for several days.
Those who complete all three baths can receive a “Three Baths Tour Master” certificate, providing a memorable souvenir of their Kusatsu hot spring experience.
Otaki-no-yu
Otaki-no-yu is another of Kusatsu’s major day-use hot spring facilities. It uses the Nikawa Source, one of Kusatsu’s famous hot spring sources, which is traditionally known as the “Beauty Bath.”
Kusatsu’s Traditional Awase-yu
The main attraction of Otaki-no-yu is Awase-yu, a traditional bathing method in which hot spring water flows through a series of pools and naturally cools as it progresses.
The first pool is the coolest, while the temperature gradually rises in the pools farther along the sequence. Bathers traditionally move through the pools step by step, allowing their bodies to gradually become accustomed to the heat.
Separate Awase-yu areas are provided for men and women, creating atmospheric spaces filled with rising steam where visitors can experience Kusatsu’s distinctive bathing culture.
Sainokawara Open-Air Bath
Located in a nature-rich park on the western side of Kusatsu, Sainokawara Open-Air Bath is another iconic bathing destination. It is approximately a 10–15-minute walk from the Yubatake.
Visitors walk along stone-paved streets through clouds of steam before reaching an enormous open-air bath surrounded by trees.
The combined bathing area covers approximately 500 square meters, including around 333.5 square meters for the men’s bath and 166 square meters for the women’s bath. The spacious facility can accommodate approximately 100 bathers at one time.
Surrounded by forest and highland scenery, the open-air bath provides an expansive atmosphere where visitors can enjoy Kusatsu’s natural environment while bathing.
A Place to Experience Kusatsu’s History and Hot Spring Culture
Goza-no-yu is much more than a convenient day-use bathhouse. Its traditional wooden architecture, distinctive hot spring sources, and location beside the Yubatake allow visitors to experience several layers of Kusatsu’s history and culture at once.
The fragrance of wood, the powerful character of the hot spring water, and views of the steaming Yubatake create a memorable experience that connects modern visitors with the bathing traditions of the past.
When visiting Kusatsu Onsen, take time to explore Goza-no-yu and the surrounding hot spring town. It is an ideal place to experience the atmosphere of a historic Japanese onsen resort while discovering the traditions that have shaped Kusatsu for centuries.