Kusatsu Onsen
Kusatsu Onsen ( Japanese 草津 温泉 ) is a place and hot spring bath in Kusatu-cho , Gunma Prefecture , Japan . Along with the Arima Onsen in Hyōgo Prefecture and the Gero Thermal Baths in Gifu Prefecture , it is one of the three famous thermal baths in Japan.
etymology
"Kusatsu" comes from the old Japanese word "Kusouzu", which means crude oil .
history
The thermal spring was probably known as early as the 12th century. According to the description of the historical chronicle Azuma Kagami , Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147–1199) discovered the Kusatsu Onsen. In the Meiji period , the use of the Kusatsu thermal baths for cures was promoted by the German doctor Erwin Bälz . On his initiative, the volcanic springs of Kusatsu were expanded to become the most successful health resort in Japan today.
Bathing culture
The Kusatsu thermal baths are said to have therapeutic effectiveness in relation to all diseases. It has therefore been used for spa treatments for centuries. Today the Kusatsu thermal baths are famous for their “Yumomi” and “Jikanyu” cultures, which were developed from the spa treatment. "Jikanyu" ( 時間 湯 ) is a traditional balneotherapy of the Kusatsu thermal baths. The name Jikanyu is a combination of the Japanese words for "time span" and "hot water", because this balneotherapy of 3 minutes to four times a day is repeated. “Yumomi” ( 湯 も み ) translates as rolling or kneading water. Instead of cooling the water by adding cold water, the traditional Yumomi technique has been used since the Edo period .
Web links
Coordinates: 36 ° 37 ' N , 138 ° 36' E