The water from the springs in Kusatsu Onsen town is very hot, and needs to be cooled down before people can safely bathe in it. In the old days they stirred it with wooden paddles to speed the cooling process. You can see a performance of this traditional process in a new hall next to Yubatake, the 'hot water field'. After the method is demonstrated by women in red and white costumes you can take a turn yourself.
- 1 min read
Yumomi at Kusatsu Onsen
Traditional method of cooling too-hot spring water
![Cathy Cawood Cathy Cawood](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/1713/240x240!/61d020bdef751f611f5e3c02.jpg)
By Cathy Cawood
Community writer
![Manhole cover showing Yumomi-chan, the Kusatsu Onsen mascot](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/23285-128266/1000/gunma-yumomi-at-kusatsu-onsen-128266.jpg)
Manhole cover showing Yumomi-chan, the Kusatsu Onsen mascot
![Six Yumomi Shows every day, and entrance cost ¥600 for adults and ¥300 for children.](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/23285-128265/1000/gunma-yumomi-at-kusatsu-onsen-128265.jpg)
Six Yumomi Shows every day, and entrance cost ¥600 for adults and ¥300 for children.
![The Yumomi performances are held inside this building](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/23285-128267/1000/gunma-yumomi-at-kusatsu-onsen-128267.jpg)
The Yumomi performances are held inside this building
![Wooden paddles resting beside the pool of hot water](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/23285-128268/1000/gunma-yumomi-at-kusatsu-onsen-128268.jpg)
Wooden paddles resting beside the pool of hot water
![After an introduction and a bit of singing on the stage, the women stood next to the pool](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/23285-128270/1000/gunma-yumomi-at-kusatsu-onsen-128270.jpg)
After an introduction and a bit of singing on the stage, the women stood next to the pool
![The women turn the paddle one way then the other, swishing the water](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/23285-128269/1000/gunma-yumomi-at-kusatsu-onsen-128269.jpg)
The women turn the paddle one way then the other, swishing the water
![People from the audience were allowed to have a go too ](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/23285-128271/1000/gunma-yumomi-at-kusatsu-onsen-128271.jpg)
People from the audience were allowed to have a go too
![My favorite bit was the splashing!](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/23285-128273/1000/gunma-yumomi-at-kusatsu-onsen-128273.jpg)
My favorite bit was the splashing!
Join the discussion
Relinda Puspita
8 years ago
The manhole is cute.
1 comment in total
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