The Traditional Jikan-yu Bathing Process
Jikan-yu was not regarded simply as bathing. It was practiced as a carefully ordered ritual intended to prepare both body and mind. The traditional process included the following stages.
1. Paying Respect at the Shrine
Before entering the bath, participants traditionally offered a prayer at a Shinto altar, expressing gratitude to the deity associated with the hot spring and praying for a safe bathing experience.
This custom reflects the traditional Japanese view of hot springs as a gift of nature that should be approached with respect and gratitude.
2. Yumomi — Stirring the Hot Spring Water
Yumomi is one of the best-known traditional practices of Kusatsu Onsen. Large wooden boards are used to stir the extremely hot spring water, helping to reduce its temperature to approximately 48°C (118°F) or below while also mixing the water.
The process is traditionally accompanied by the rhythms of Kusatsu-bushi and Kusatsu-kouta, local folk songs associated with the hot spring town. The sight of people moving the long wooden boards through clouds of steam creates one of Kusatsu’s most distinctive cultural scenes.
Yumomi also serves as a form of preparation before entering the bath. Traditionally, participants were encouraged to breathe slowly in the rising steam and prepare themselves mentally and physically for the hot bath.
3. Kaburi-yu — Pouring Hot Spring Water Over the Body
Before entering the bath, participants gradually acclimatize their bodies by pouring approximately 10–20 ladles of hot spring water over themselves, beginning around the feet and lower body.
A traditional practice also involves placing a small towel on the head and pouring around 30 ladles of water over the top of the head. This was traditionally believed to help prepare the body for the intense heat of the bath.
Rather than immediately pouring hot water over the upper body, the traditional method focuses first on the lower body and gradually prepares the bather for the temperature.
4. A Strict Three-Minute Bath
When the Yucho, or traditional bathing leader, gives the signal, participants enter the bath and sit upright. With their eyes gently closed, they traditionally concentrate on calm abdominal breathing.
The bathing time is strictly limited to three minutes. Traditional calls such as “Kaisei no ni-fun,” “Kagitte ichi-fun,” and “Shinbo no shidokoro” were used to mark the progress of the bathing period.
Kusatsu Onsen is famous for its strongly acidic and naturally hot spring water, with a pH of around 2. The strict time limit reflects the traditional belief that a short, concentrated bath was the appropriate way to experience the intense qualities of the water.
5. Warm Towels and Rest
After leaving the bath, participants traditionally did not immediately dry themselves. Instead, they returned to the changing area and wrapped themselves in towels to retain the warmth of the bath.
Afterward, they sat quietly and rested until their bodies had cooled down and perspiration subsided.
Jikan-yu as a Form of Personal Discipline
Historically, Jikan-yu was regarded as more than a bathing or bathing-therapy method. It was also associated with self-discipline, mindfulness, and spiritual practice.
The Spirit of Zen
After bathing, participants traditionally sat quietly in a formal posture, such as seiza or kekka-fuza, while regulating their breathing.
Remaining silent and listening carefully to others were also regarded as parts of the discipline. The emphasis was not only on the physical bathing process but also on cultivating concentration and composure.
Prayers and Gratitude
Participants were expected to maintain an attitude of gratitude toward the hot spring deity before and after bathing. Each bathing session was approached with the spirit of “rokkon shoujou,” traditionally understood as the purification of the six senses and the mind.
A Spirit of Cleanliness
Cleaning was also regarded as an important part of the tradition. The idea was that one should carry out even ordinary tasks carefully and sincerely, especially when no one was watching.
In this way, the lessons of Jikan-yu extended beyond the bath itself and into everyday life.
The History of Jikan-yu
Jikan-yu is traditionally said to have been systematized during the middle of the Meiji period by Kohachiro Nojima, who came from the former Echigo Province, in what is now Niigata Prefecture.
The practice was associated with the communal Netsu-no-yu Bath and eventually became practiced at other communal baths, including Chiyo-no-yu and Jizo-no-yu.
A monument honoring Kohachiro Nojima stands within the grounds of Kosenji Temple in Kusatsu, commemorating his contribution to the development and transmission of the traditional bathing practice.
The Yucho System
A distinctive feature of traditional Jikan-yu was the role of the Yucho, a bathing leader responsible for guiding participants through the prescribed procedure and giving the signals that controlled the bathing process.
The Yucho also served as an important source of support for people who came to Kusatsu seeking relief through the hot springs. Historically, Kusatsu became known as a place where people could seek help and devote themselves to extended periods of hot spring treatment.
However, the Yucho system faced institutional and legal issues, including questions concerning its relationship with Japan’s medical regulations. The system was discontinued at the end of fiscal year 2020.
Following the municipal ordinance revision in 2021, the traditional practice was officially referred to as Dento-yu rather than Jikan-yu.
A Tradition Preserved in Modern Kusatsu
Today, the tradition continues in adapted forms at facilities known as Dento-yu Jizo and Dento-yu Chiyo. While the institutional framework is different from that of historical Jikan-yu, these facilities continue to introduce visitors to aspects of Kusatsu’s distinctive bathing culture.
The practice of bathing in strongly acidic hot spring water for a carefully limited period, together with preparation, breathing, discipline, and gratitude, represents a unique aspect of Japanese hot spring culture.
Experience the Cultural Heritage of Kusatsu Onsen
Jikan-yu, now known officially as Dento-yu, represents an important part of the history and cultural heritage of Kusatsu Onsen. Its traditions bring together hot spring bathing, local customs, religious beliefs, and a philosophy of personal discipline.
For international visitors, learning about Jikan-yu provides a deeper understanding of why Kusatsu Onsen has been much more than a place to take a bath. The hot springs have long been connected with the daily lives, beliefs, and traditions of the people who lived and traveled here.
When visiting Kusatsu, discovering the history behind Jikan-yu and Dento-yu offers another way to appreciate the cultural significance of this famous Japanese hot spring resort.