Jun 4, 2013

Yubatake, Kusatsu Onsen, Gunma Pref.

Southern side of the Yubatake. Onsen is gushing from the bottom. Wooden devices of upper pond is to cool down the hot springs and to collect sulfur powder.  
Ever heard of the Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Pref, Kanto Region? Well, Kusatsu has been chosen "the most popular hot springs in Japan" for 10 years continuously by the survey conducted by the Kanko Keizai Shimbun or the Sightseeing Economic Journal.
North end of the Yubatake.
There is a huge hot spring pond named "Yubatake" located center of the Kusatsu Onsen. Strong acid onsen - pH about 2.0 is gushing about 4,600 litters per minute in this pond. The temperature at the fountainhead is about 60 degrees Celsius. Of course it's not for soaking.
The whole Yubatake view from the Kosenji Temple.
The Kusatsu onsen is said to be effective for skin disease, neuralgia, joint pain, chronic digestive disease, arteriosclerosis and many other symptoms. The hot spring of Yubatake was carried to Edo (present Tokyo) for the bathing of Yoshimune, the 8th Shogun of Edo period in 1726.
Onsen cooled down a bit while flowing in these wooden gutter
Access to Kusatsu Onsen: There are some express train to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi from Ueno, central Tokyo. From Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi, about 20 minutes bus ride will take you to the Kusatsu bus terminal. It's a 5 minute walk to the Yubatake. Or you can take the direct bus from Shinjuke to Kusatsu bus terminal.
There are classical ryokans on both sides of the street near the Yubatake.

Apr 2, 2013

Day-visit Onsen Ranking 2013 by Tripadvisor


The Hoheikyo Onsen in Sapporo City, Hokkaido (photo: Sep 2012) was chosen the most popular day-visit onsen in the recent servey by Tripadvisor Japan. Top 20 onsens are following. Linked site in bold letters are English pages, others in Japanese only.

  1. Hoheikyo Onsen, Sapporo City, Hokkaido

  2. Dogo Onsen Honkan, Matsuyama City, Ehime Pref.

  3. Healthy Land Rotenburo, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Pref.

  4. Shikanoyu, Nasu Machi, Tochigi Pref.

  5. Yuaminoshima, Kuwana City, Mie Pref.

  6. Yachigashira Onsen, Hakodate City, Hokkaido

  7. Oberiberi Onsen Suikoen, Obihiro City, Hokkaido

  8. Hottarakashi Onsen, Yamanashi City, Yamanashi Pref.

  9. Sainokawara Rotenburo, Kusatsu Machi, Gunma Pref.

  10. Spa World, Osaka City, Osaka

  11. Takegawara Onsen, Beppu City, Oita Pref.

  12. Spa Resort Hawaiians, Iwaki City, Fukushima Pref.

  13. Saraku, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Pref.

  14. Dogo Onsen Tsubakinoyu, Matsuyama City, Ehime Pref.

  15. Akazawa Higaeri Onsenkan, Ito City, Shizuoka Pref.

  16. Shigira Onsen, Miyakojima City, Okinawa Pref.

  17. Lamune Onsenkan, Takeda City, Oita Pref.

  18. Ooedo Onsen Monogatari, Koto-ku, Tokyo

  19. Spa LaQua, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

  20. Yamatonoyu, Narita City, Chiba Pref.