Sep 21, 2015 - 1 min read

Yumomi at Kusatsu Onsen

Traditional method of cooling too-hot spring water

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

Manhole cover showing Yumomi-chan, the Kusatsu Onsen mascot

Six Yumomi Shows every day, and entrance cost ￥600 for adults and ￥300 for children.

The Yumomi performances are held inside this building

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

The women turn the paddle one way then the other, swishing the water

People from the audience were allowed to have a go too

My favorite bit was the splashing!

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.

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Cathy Cawood

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

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Relinda Puspita

Relinda Puspita 10 years ago

The manhole is cute.

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