Kusatsu Onsen Netsunoyu

Yumomi dance along with the Kusatsu-bushi song was originally a special way to bathe that patrons of Kusatsu Onsen used to do. Netsunoyu shows this Yumomi as a tourism attraction while keeping the tradition and the symbol of Kusatsu Onsen.

Kusatsu Onsen’s source spring is around 50℃, too hot for direct bathing. If cold water was added, it would reduce the efficacy of the hot spring. People came up with the idea of sticking 180cm-long wooden boards into the hot spring and “knead hot water” until the temperatures came down suited for bathing. Besides cooling down hot water, “Yumomi” also turns the water soft.

Yumomi Show began in 1960, and Netsunoyu building was renovated into a two-story-high retro architecture in 2015. At night, gas lamps are lighted and create a nostalgic ambience. Inside, ladies in kimono uniforms knead hot water and dance along in the show.