DSC08909
The Effects of Yumomi
At Kusatsu Onsen, a traditional method called jikan-yu is employed when taking the bath.
At about 65 degrees Celsius, Kusatsu's spring water is too hot for bathing. So in order to make it possible to bathe in the water, the bathwater is stirred with long planks to cool it to an enterable 48 degrees. This act of stirring the water is called "yumomi."
Even at 48 degrees, yumomi makes it possible to bathe comfortably in the water. Normally water at this temperature is too hot for bathing. However, because of the high quality and concentration (acidic due to hydrogen sulfide) of the water here at Kusatsu Onsen, it is possible to take a bath at this temperature. In addition to this, when the water is hit with the sun's rays and mixes with the air, it crystallizes into Kusatsu's "yunohana," a natural bath salt.
The water continually mixes with air during yumomi, which allows for the creation of lots of yunohana, raising the concentration of the water even further. Yunohana are microscopically dispersed throughout the water, and when people enter the bath they create a thin membrane around their bodies, which makes the water feel cooler to the touch. In this way the water feels especially "soft," which is why the water is of a different class than water that has simply been cooled.
This method of lowering the water temperature also serves as an important pre-bathing exercise. In addition, breathing steam into the body also has therapeutic effects. Everyone sings a special song at this time, which further stimulates deep breathing, adding to the absorption of steam and healing effects of yumomi.
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Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉) is one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts and is blessed with large volumes of high quality hot spring water said to cure every illness but lovesickness.
Well known as a hot spring resort for many centuries, Kusatsu's fame was further boasted by German doctor Erwin von Baelz, who served at the imperial court in the late 1800s and recommended Kusatsu for its water's health benefits.
Kusatsu is situated at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, and offers skiing in winter and hiking during the rest of the year to be enjoyed in combination with hot spring bathing. Kusatsu is also located along Japan's Romantic Road.
DSC08909
The Effects of Yumomi
At Kusatsu Onsen, a traditional method called jikan-yu is employed when taking the bath.
At about 65 degrees Celsius, Kusatsu's spring water is too hot for bathing. So in order to make it possible to bathe in the water, the bathwater is stirred with long planks to cool it to an enterable 48 degrees. This act of stirring the water is called "yumomi."
Even at 48 degrees, yumomi makes it possible to bathe comfortably in the water. Normally water at this temperature is too hot for bathing. However, because of the high quality and concentration (acidic due to hydrogen sulfide) of the water here at Kusatsu Onsen, it is possible to take a bath at this temperature. In addition to this, when the water is hit with the sun's rays and mixes with the air, it crystallizes into Kusatsu's "yunohana," a natural bath salt.
The water continually mixes with air during yumomi, which allows for the creation of lots of yunohana, raising the concentration of the water even further. Yunohana are microscopically dispersed throughout the water, and when people enter the bath they create a thin membrane around their bodies, which makes the water feel cooler to the touch. In this way the water feels especially "soft," which is why the water is of a different class than water that has simply been cooled.
This method of lowering the water temperature also serves as an important pre-bathing exercise. In addition, breathing steam into the body also has therapeutic effects. Everyone sings a special song at this time, which further stimulates deep breathing, adding to the absorption of steam and healing effects of yumomi.
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Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉) is one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts and is blessed with large volumes of high quality hot spring water said to cure every illness but lovesickness.
Well known as a hot spring resort for many centuries, Kusatsu's fame was further boasted by German doctor Erwin von Baelz, who served at the imperial court in the late 1800s and recommended Kusatsu for its water's health benefits.
Kusatsu is situated at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, and offers skiing in winter and hiking during the rest of the year to be enjoyed in combination with hot spring bathing. Kusatsu is also located along Japan's Romantic Road.