What is Yubatake?
A traditional system for cooling Kusatsu’s extremely hot spring water
The natural hot spring water of Kusatsu emerges at temperatures ranging from approximately 50°C to more than 90°C. Since water at these temperatures is too hot for bathing, Yubatake incorporates a traditional system that allows the water to cool naturally.
The hot spring water flows through seven long wooden channels arranged in the center of Yubatake. As the water moves slowly through the channels, it comes into contact with the outside air and gradually loses heat.
This method allows the temperature to be reduced without simply diluting the hot spring with large amounts of fresh water. Once suitably cooled, the water is distributed to inns and public bathhouses throughout Kusatsu.
Kusatsu has traditionally emphasized the use of its original spring water. Many facilities use the water with little or no dilution, allowing visitors to experience the distinctive mineral composition of the natural springs.
Yudaki: the waterfall of hot spring water
At the end of the wooden channels, the hot spring water flows downward like a waterfall. This feature is known as Yudaki, meaning “Hot Water Waterfall.”
Large clouds of steam rise from the falling water, creating one of the most dramatic and recognizable views in Kusatsu. The combination of flowing water, wooden channels, steam, and surrounding stonework also makes Yudaki a favorite location for photography.
Yunohana: a natural treasure of Yubatake
How hot spring minerals become “hot spring flowers”
One of Yubatake’s most distinctive features is the collection of yunohana, or “hot spring flowers.” These are mineral deposits that form as the hot spring water flows through the wooden channels.
As the water cools and its mineral components become concentrated, white crystalline deposits settle in the channels. These deposits are collected and traditionally used as a natural bath additive.
The deposits accumulated in a field-like area, which is one explanation for the name Yubatake, literally meaning “hot water field.”
A traditional Kusatsu specialty
The collection of yunohana is believed to have begun around 1790, during the late Edo period. Even today, the deposits are collected several times a year.
Because the amount that can be collected is limited, yunohana is treated as a valuable local specialty. It is also sold as one of the characteristic souvenirs associated with Kusatsu Onsen.
The Yubatake spring is strongly acidic, with a pH of approximately 2.1. The water’s powerful acidity and distinctive mineral composition are among the defining characteristics of Kusatsu’s hot springs.
History preserved around Yubatake
A place associated with the Tokugawa shogunate
Yubatake is surrounded by historical features that tell the story of Kusatsu’s long relationship with hot springs.
One notable feature is a wooden structure known as the “Shogun’s Bathing Frame”. According to tradition, the eighth shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty, Tokugawa Yoshimune, had hot spring water from Kusatsu transported to Edo Castle.
A monument remains today, preserving the story of this connection between Kusatsu and the Tokugawa shogunate.
Names of famous visitors carved in stone
Stone pillars surrounding Yubatake bear the names of numerous famous people who visited Kusatsu, including Naoya Shiga, Yumeji Takehisa, and Kotaro Takamura.
These inscriptions reflect Kusatsu’s long-standing popularity among writers, poets, artists, and other cultural figures.
Taro Okamoto’s contribution to the modern landscape
The modern appearance of Yubatake was developed in 1975 under the design supervision of the renowned Japanese artist Taro Okamoto.
The project transformed Yubatake from a purely functional hot spring facility into the attractive public square visitors see today. The circular layout, stonework, wooden channels, and surrounding open space create a distinctive environment where traditional hot spring culture meets modern landscape design.
Yubatake at night
A completely different atmosphere after sunset
Yubatake is fascinating during the daytime, but its appearance changes dramatically after dark.
After sunset, the area is illuminated, and the lights shine through the clouds of white steam rising from the hot spring water. The result is a mysterious and atmospheric landscape that is very different from the daytime scenery.
Visitors can often be seen strolling through the town wearing yukata, traditional lightweight Japanese robes commonly provided by hot spring inns. The combination of yukata, steam, traditional buildings, and evening lights creates a quintessential Japanese onsen-town atmosphere.
The best time for photography
Yubatake offers different scenery depending on the time of day. The period around twilight can be particularly beautiful, as the changing color of the sky blends with the rising steam.
The illuminated Yudaki, flowing hot spring water, and clouds of steam create especially atmospheric photographic opportunities after sunset.
The hot spring town surrounding Yubatake
The heart of Kusatsu Onsen
For first-time visitors, the sight of Yubatake suddenly appearing at the end of a street can be an unforgettable introduction to Kusatsu.
The powerful flow of hot water, traditional stone lanterns, mineral deposits in the wooden channels, and rising steam all come together to create a landscape unlike almost anywhere else in Japan.
The entire hot spring town developed around this central source. Today, the surrounding streets are lined with traditional inns, hotels, public bathhouses, restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops.
Visitors can explore the area on foot while enjoying the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese hot spring resort. Foot baths and hand baths also provide easy opportunities to experience the warmth of Kusatsu’s hot spring water without taking a full bath.
Highlights Around Yubatake
Yukemuri-tei Foot Bath
Yukemuri-tei is a traditional-style wooden pavilion constructed entirely from Japanese cypress. It recreates the appearance of the former Matsuno-yu public bathhouse that once stood in this location.
The facility uses hot spring water drawn from Yubatake and offers a free foot bath. Even a few minutes with your feet immersed in the warm water can provide a relaxing break while exploring the town.
Netsu-no-Yu and the Yumomi Performance
Located directly beside Yubatake, Netsu-no-Yu is housed in a distinctive building inspired by the atmosphere of Japan’s Taisho era.
Visitors can watch performances of yumomi, the traditional Kusatsu technique of stirring extremely hot spring water with long wooden boards. The performers move the boards rhythmically to the sound of the traditional Kusatsu-bushi song.
The performance provides an entertaining introduction to the traditional wisdom used to cool Kusatsu’s very hot spring water.
Shirahata-no-Yu, Jizō-no-Yu, and Chiyo-no-Yu
Several community bathhouses can be found around Kusatsu, allowing visitors to experience the local bathing culture.
Shirahata-no-Yu is particularly popular with visitors and uses the powerful water of the Shirahata Source. Jizō-no-Yu and Chiyo-no-Yu offer additional opportunities to enjoy Kusatsu’s hot springs in a more intimate setting.
When using community bathhouses, visitors should follow local etiquette and remember that these facilities are also part of everyday life for local residents.
Ura-Kusatsu Area
A few minutes’ walk from Yubatake is the quieter Ura-Kusatsu area. It offers several small hot spring experiences, including foot baths, a face bath, and the Te-arai-no-Yu hand-washing facility.
The area also includes a hilltop plaza, Manga-do, and Jizō Café. Together, these attractions create a relaxed space where visitors can slow down and enjoy another side of Kusatsu.
Te-arai-no-Yu
Te-arai-no-Yu is a facility where visitors can wash their hands using Kusatsu’s hot spring water.
It makes use of the strongly acidic nature of the local hot spring water and provides a simple way for visitors to experience Kusatsu’s hot spring culture while walking around town.
Yubatake as a symbol of Kusatsu’s hot spring culture
Yubatake is much more than a scenic tourist attraction. It brings together the history, technology, natural environment, and culture that have shaped Kusatsu Onsen for centuries.
The system of allowing extremely hot spring water to cool naturally, collecting mineral-rich yunohana, and distributing the water throughout the town represents knowledge that has been developed through generations of hot spring use.
Standing at the center of the resort, Yubatake also provides a direct connection between Kusatsu’s natural resources and its modern tourism industry.
Experience the atmosphere of Yubatake
With its flowing hot spring water, rising steam, traditional wooden channels, historic monuments, illuminated nighttime scenery, and lively streets, Kusatsu Onsen Yubatake offers an especially memorable introduction to Japanese hot spring culture.
Take a leisurely walk around the hot spring town, watch the yumomi performance, relax at a foot bath, browse the local shops, and return to Yubatake after sunset to see how dramatically the scenery changes.
For international visitors, Yubatake is an ideal place to experience not only the beauty of Kusatsu but also the centuries-old relationship between Japanese communities and natural hot springs.
Exploring Gunma Beyond Kusatsu
Yubatake is an excellent base for exploring the wider Gunma Prefecture. Other major areas include Shibukawa and Ikaho, Tatebayashi and Ōta, Takasaki and Maebashi, Tomioka and Shimonita, Oze and Numata, Kiryu and Akagi, and Minakami.
The region offers a wide variety of attractions, from historic temples and traditional villages to volcanic mountains, lakes, waterfalls, museums, gardens, ski resorts, local food, agricultural experiences, and other hot spring destinations.