Continuing with my series of introducing places around Japan that may not be on people’s initial list of “must see” places today I am introducing another hot spring or “onsen” town just north-northwest of Tokyo called “Kusatsu Onsen.” Similar to Ginzan Onsen that I introduced in my last column this lovely jewel of a town is also located deep in the mountains of rural Japan but is much more easily accessible from Tokyo and it doesn’t have the heavy snowfall that Ginzan Onsen has but it boasts a lovely charm and uniqueness all its own I visited around Christmas time and there was no snow The town of Kusatsu Onsen has a population of around 7,000 people but it welcomes millions of tourists and visitors every year (so it isn’t as much of a hidden jewel with regards to being a “secret” tourist spot as other onsen towns seem to be Since it is about a three-hour trip from Tokyo Station it is regarded as a day trip destination from Tokyo which is why it welcomes so many tourists each year While I do recommend staying overnight at least one night to get the full onsen experience and a late train back to Tokyo is quite doable Kusatsu Onsen boasts having the largest volume of water of all the free-flowing hot springs in Japan and it is consistently listed as being one of the top three hot spring towns in Japan.  It has 100% natural spring water meaning that no mineral water has to be shipped into the city Some onsens in Japan use 100% natural mineral water but the water is sometimes shipped in from outside the area.  Not Kusatsu Onsen — which is the actual source of all of its hot spring water and it is widely regarded as being highly therapeutic with a strong anti-bacterial consistency that people claim to have extraordinary healing properties I read that E-Coli cannot survive even a moment in these waters showcasing its anti-bacterial properties.  over 32,000 liters of mineral water gushes forth every minute of every hour which amounts to some 230,000 barrels per day Why does this town have such an abundance of hot spring water The answer is found with the active volcano that is the source of the waters hot steam rises up all around the town from the ground so visitors can see clearly the hot steam from just about anywhere in the town According to the town’s official website the legend is that it was discovered some 1,800 years ago by Yamato Takeru (a Japanese folk hero and legendary prince called Prince Ousu); another theory is that the Buddhist high priest Gyouki of the Nara Period (710-784) actually found it first No matter who first discovered the therapeutic waters and introduced them to the general population the hot springs have been loved and frequented by countless people since that time They were especially popular with the shogun and samurai class of nobility But it was actually a European doctor from Germany that brought Kusatsu Onsen to the world’s attention in the early 20th century.  Erwin von Balz first analyzed the hot springs’ mineral waters and developed a therapeutic bathing method while boasting about its exquisite location that had an abundance of nature and fresh air it became somewhat of a spa resort which continues to this day The mineral waters have a very high level of acidity which in turn offers bathers strong curative benefits as well as sterilizing qualities.  The primary minerals in the spring water are sulfur many bathers suffering from physical ailments such as muscular pain or arthritis sore shoulders or sprained limbs will find relief from the curative properties in the waters claim to be helped from soaking in and convalescing in Kusatsu Onsen’s waters Most Japanese people readily know about Kusatsu Onsen even if they live far away from it A famous expression in Japanese extolls its virtues with the saying “Kusatsu yoi toko this roughly translates to: “Come to Kusatsu once in your life since it is such a wonderful place.” and which is also one of its most well-known symbols is the yubatake (“a field of hot water”) Long wooden planks were constructed into channels in the center of the town that guide the hot spring water to the various bath houses found in and around the town and in inns This wood is thick pinewood or Japanese cypress which is believed to be the best material to construct bathtubs because this wood can withstand the high acidic content of the waters the best Even though they don’t stay pretty or new looking for very long old wooden tubs are the preferred material for many inns in the area One very interesting activity that visitors like to watch is the “yumomi,” which is a traditional ceremony performed at “Netsu no Yu” (a traditional building near the center of the town) This is the age-old ritual of cooling down the hot spring waters in Kusatsu. (photo above) use large paddles to stir the hot spring waters in order to cool them The hot spring has a temperature of between 123 and 201 degrees which is much too hot to bathe in without it being cooled down In order not to dilute the natural spring water that is full of minerals with cold tap water this system was devised during the Edo Period (1603-1868) The ceremony is conducted in the morning and afternoon visitors must secure a ticket to observe it It is best to arrive early to get your tickets and early enough to get a good viewing spot Women on each side of the bath area take large paddles and stir the water rhythmically to an old traditional song to pace their churning of the waters This is a ceremony that is unique to Kusatsu and very much worth observing at the end of the ceremony some of the visitors were invited down to try their hand at churning the water and the women performed a traditional dance on the stage located to the back of the paddle area While it seems like it would be too touristy to be enjoyed It gave the feeling of a tradition that is unique to the area and the majority of the tourists when I observed it were actually Japanese people who were visiting the town it is a must visit to relax and enjoy the therapeutic waters with curative healing benefits I plan to write about yet another onsen town in my next column so you will have lots of choices to consider once you visit Japan for yourself Click Here for your 5 day Forecast Where are the best onsen hot springs in Japan This is without a doubt one of the onsen areas many Japanese would like to visit once in their lives I made the 3-hour trek via train and bus to this hot spring mecca bound for the JR Naganohara-kusatsu-guchi Station then a 30-minute bus ride to the Kusatsu Bus Terminal along with Gero Onsen in Gifu and Arima Onsen in Hyogo is one of the three most renowned in Japan At 32,300 liters of water flowing per minute the onsen holds the title of the most water flow in the country Bearing a strong smell of hydrogen sulfide Kusatsu Town sits 1,200 meters above sea level and the weather makes it a great spot for soaking in the hot springs and skiing in the winter and hiking cycling and golfing in the spring and summer this area has various baths which are tattoo-friendly and do not require you covering them up About a 10-minute walk from the terminal took me to Yubatae It was designated one of Japan’s national scenic spots in 2017 you can walk to all of the major attractions in the area As much as 4,400 liters of hot spring water well up from this field per minute which is suitable for bathing as it flows into wooden barrels and is distributed to local hotels and public baths Try the foot baths around this area for a relaxing break but not before a manjyu shop I passed caught my attention Chouju-ten sells manjyu sweet buns with different fillings elderly staff members stood on the street aggressively offering fresh piping-hot buns paired with a free cup of green tea This is a great opportunity to have a little sweet dessert after lunch Saino-kawara Park is located only about 500 meters from Yubatake about 1,400 liters of hot water wells up and makes an onsen river A few minutes’ walk from the entrance took me to Saino-Kawara Outdoor Bath the men’s section is large enough to accommodate around 100 people at a time and still the combined dimension is about 500 square meters Most onsen do not accept bathers with tattoos I felt as though I was bathing in luxury with the wonderful mountainous view this onsen provides This hotel is surrounded by lush forest and was a regular lodging choice for the former emperor and empress on state visits to the annual Kusatsu International Music Academy I joined a guided tour for the Royal Course offered by the hotel This is a guided hike on a trail favored by the former emperor and empress The guide was a wealth of information and this nature walk was invigorating Hotel guests can participate in the guided tour I finished my trip to Kusatsu with one last bath at the Otaki-no-yu Onsen which has a set of several baths with different temperatures The baths in the men’s section ranged from 38 to 46 degrees Celsius You start at the lowest temperature bath and then gradually move up as it is believed to be a healthier way of taking a bath It was a funny experience for me to move from a bath to another several times in a short minute I left the onsen and hopped on the loop bus headed for the terminal for only 100 yen The onsen town has excellent baths and restaurants is superb enough to have tourists to come back to see it again The surrounding nature is also a plus as it will refresh and heal visitor’s hearts and minds Make plans for your relaxing getaway to Kusatsu soon According to the Kusatsu Onsen Tourism Association the following onsen baths allow patrons with tattoos nor are there any other rules regarding size or amount of tattoos please check with the onsen at the websites below Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan In the 2025 ranking of the most popular hot springs in Japan Kusatsu Onsen is in the top spot for the second year running The atmosphere of this hot-spring resort in Gunma Prefecture combined with the therapeutic effects and quality of its waters The top four places in the ranking in 2025 are the same as in the previous year but Beppu Onsen in Ōita Prefecture rose to fifth place this time around The ranking was based on a 2024 survey by Jalan Research Center targeted approximately 12,600 members of the travel booking site Jalan.net the survey participants were asked to list up to five hot-spring resorts they would like to revisit from among those they had visited before Kusatsu Onsen was popular among those who were 60 or over The centerpiece of Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture is the iconic Yubatake (Hot Water Field) area where visitors can enjoy a stroll after bathing (Courtesy the Kusatsu Onsen Tourism Association) where the sulfuric sediment from the spring water called yunohana (hot water flowers) concentrates and settles facilities have been upgraded and the townscape improved to become more convenient Hakone Onsen has become a hotspot among visitors from Europe and North America given its convenient location between Tokyo and Mount Fuji Beppu Onsen in Ōita Prefecture rose to fifth place in the ranking received the top evaluation for its “town atmosphere.” Survey respondents were also asked to list their “dream hot spring resorts,” which are places they long to go to someday but have not yet had the chance to visit (multiple answers of up to five locations allowed) Nyūtō Onsenkyō in Akita Prefecture ranked first Among the top 50 dream hot springs in the ranking Unazuki Onsen in Toyama Prefecture rose 7 places from last year’s ranking to twenty-third while Awara Onsen in Fukui Prefecture shot up 11 places in the ranking to reach forty-fifth place The survey asked participants to list their “hidden gems” from among the hot springs they have visited (multiple answers of up to five locations allowed) and a ranking was compiled by dividing the number of recommendations for each hidden gem by the number of survey participants who visited it Nyūtō Onsenkyō in Akita Prefecture was ranked the top hidden gem while Matsunoyama Onsen in Niigata Prefecture rose from its tenth place ranking last year to fourth place Banner photo: The Sainokawara outdoor bath in Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture where visitors can enjoy an expansive feeling Courtesy the Kusatsu Onsen Tourism Association.) who writes regular arts and entertainment articles for The Maui News is currently traveling in Japan and writing about his journey along the way The waters of Kustasu Onsen in Japan’s Gunma Prefecture are considered so beneficial that during the late 1600s the eighth Tokugawa Shogun had barrels of the town’s spring water delivered to Edo Castle Japan is a paradise for anyone who loves hot springs you can literally travel to thousands (more than 27,000 hot springs locations) across the nation emperors and members of the imperial family would stay at onsen for long periods of time to bathe in the water The ancient Izumokuni Fudoki text noted in 733 about Tamatsukuri hot spring: “If you wash in the hot spring once In the mid-80s I made my first trip to Japan spending a week on the southern Island of Kyushu in the town of Ibusuki which is famous for hot sand baths by the ocean It’s the world’s only natural sand bath where hot spring water naturally flows along the beach There’s nothing more luxurious than donning a yukata robe This time I’m first visiting the mountain town of Kusatsu Onsen it has the greatest output of any Japanese hot spring Kusatsu attracts 3 million tourists annually you encounter the massive Yubatake (hot water field) where more than 1,000 gallons per minute of geothermal hot spring water bubbles to the surface it’s cooled in wooden channels and distributed to local hotels and public baths is harvested and sold as a type of bath salt The south end of the famous Yubatake hot spring field in Kusatsu The rich mineral content of Kusatsu’s waters is known for metabolism-boosting effects and it is said to be beneficial for a variety of health conditions microorganisms and fungi cannot survive in these hot waters You can choose between more than 100 onsen in Kusatsu with the biggest Located about a 12-minute walk from the Yubatake Sainokawara offers an extraordinary outdoor bathing experience the combined men’s and women’s baths cover 5,300 square feet It’s described as “a sense of space on a massive scale.” Entrance fee is only $5 a day How delightful to relax in soothing hot water while gazing at a serene vista of Autumn trees changing color Known as the “hot spring of beauty,” Otakinoyu provides an experience of traditional awase-yu bathing culture A variety of indoor and outdoor baths includes a series of four from a relatively cool 100 Fahrenheit up to a very hot 114 degree pool It’s a five-minute walk downhill east of Yubatake It’s traditional Japanese style with futons for sleeping and breakfast and dinner included One of the staff spoke good English and he was Balinese Famous guests who stayed there have included actor Charles Bronson From Kusatsu I’m headed to Nozawa Onsen where you might encounter some visiting acclaimed Hawaiian musicians a wandering Buddhist monk is said to have discovered the springs in the 8th century a picturesque mountain town with several indoor and outdoor baths Visiting a Japanese onsen they are typically separated by gender though a few allow mixed bathing at certain times Japanese etiquette requires always washing and rinsing off before and after bathing You are requested not to bring any towels into the bath to be mindful of and respect the tranquil atmosphere All Maui County pools on the Valley Isle will close May 14 for staff training Maui County will host a job fair with 20 different departments from police .. Copyright © 2025 Maui News Publishing Company LTD | https://www.mauinews.com | 100 Mahalani Street Resonate Clyde Kusatsu, a familiar face to Star Trek: The Next Generation fans and a veteran of over 300 productions is set to receive the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local’s prestigious Ralph Morgan Award This recognition isn’t just about his extensive acting career; it’s a celebration of his unwavering dedication to the union and its members and even a memorable stint as Vice Admiral Nakamura on TNG he’s been a constant presence in film and television But it’s his behind-the-scenes work that’s earning him this well-deserved honor highlighted Kusatsu’s indelible impact on the organization Kusatsu’s involvement with SAG-AFTRA goes way beyond just paying dues and even helmed the Los Angeles Local as President Diane and Elliott have devoted countless hours over the years tirelessly working to better the lives of their fellow members is all about devotion to the cause of actors Read more: Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi Returns in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ – But Will He Get His Due? this news might add a new layer of appreciation for Kusatsu’s work He wasn’t just playing a role; he was also fighting for the rights and well-being of his fellow actors demonstrates a level of commitment rarely seen And let’s not forget his diverse acting credits He’s shown up in everything from All in the Family to Ally McBeal and he’s consistently delivered solid performances It’s clear this award isn’t just a pat on the back for a long career It’s a recognition of the hard work and dedication Kusatsu has given to the acting community His work with SAG-AFTRA has helped shape the industry for the better Read more: ‘The Season’: Hong Kong Drama Sets Sail With ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Powerhouse the next time you see Clyde Kusatsu on screen remember he’s not just an actor; he’s a union advocate we at Resonate add our heartfelt congratulations to Clyde Kusatsu for this well-deserved recognition His dedication to his craft and his fellow actors is truly inspiring Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information Gunma Prefecture—In line with the glitzy spirit of the holidays each night the traditional scenery of the Kusatsu onsen area now transforms into a fantastical world of light A 13-meter-tall tree decorates the front of the resort’s iconic “Yubatake” (hot spring field) here and is decked out with roughly 30,000 LED lights The electric blue tree and other colors are a tribute to both water and peace on Earth This annual winter tradition hosted by Kusatsu's commerce and industry association is now in its seventh year It was launched in 2018 to win back visitors after an increase in volcanic activity on Mount Kusatsu-Shiranesan The tree was brought in from a mountain forest in the nearby town of Higashi-Agatsuma and it will be replanted on the mountain after the event ends on Feb Kusatsu onsen area heralds the start of winter with lit-up tree Kusatsu named most popular onsen resort for the 1st time Hakone reclaims position as most popular onsen resort in Japan Tour industry finally has high hopes for Golden Week holidays Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission As part of Gunma Prefecture's Seven Great Onsen Hopping Fair ticket, each onsen hot spring will host special events to introduce the deep Stretching hundreds of kilometers into the center of Japan Gunma's rich heritage and fairytale scenery await Oigami translates to "Old God." This onsen is home to the world's longest portable snake god shrine. Weighing two tons and requiring 300 people to carry, this massive totem is only used once every 12 years, during the year of the snake the work will depart its newly built garage and parade through the town for the last time until 2037.  Visitors are invited to take part in the celebration by carrying a miniature version. In addition to the massive snake doll, Oigami onsen also takes care of local family Hina dolls Guests are encouraged to solve the puzzle behind the display by correctly identifying each doll's position and special object.  Reserve tickets on Gunma's Oigami Onsen web page Just outside the Jomo-Kogen Shinkansen station Minakami Onsen invites guests to go beyond the local hot springs and dive deep into Japan's ancient crafts As part of a tie-up with the Onsen Hopping Pass a recreated trading stop set against the foothills of the Minakami mountains.  In this craft park, visitors can enjoy walking around in a kimono and watching artisans craft traditional indigo-dyed goods just as they would have been sold along ancient trading routes Ticket holders will decorate their own festival masks at a participating craft house and enjoy local cuisine.  Reserve tickets on Gunma's Minakami Onsen web page these gardens will be closed to the public on certain mornings a dedicated guide will introduce the area's history and Rakusan-en's significance during a private tour Reserve tickets on Gunma's Isobe Onsen web page At the base of Ikaho Onsen's 365 stone steps a few friendly faces greet guests with a dainty bow they will entertain a small group with their performance at the National Cultural Property Yokotekan is one of only nine ryokans in the area that can draw water from Ikaho's source and has been in operation since the 1700s local songs and dances while guests enjoy a luxurious boxed meal featuring prized Masuda beef.  Reserve tickets on Gunma's Ikaho Onsen web page Shima Onsen is secretly heralded as the inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki's bathhouse, as seen in Spirited Away a "Yokai Night Walk" depicts the fox's (an important figure in Japanese folklore) dream Performers in mystifying costumes drone chants against an otherworldly background of rushing water and faint music.  This thought-provoking performance redefines the spirituality of obon dancing and matsuri through the world of yokai – playful and sometimes trouble-making spirits who wander city streets just like anyone else The walk culminates in an interactive gallery where participants will enjoy an "onsen-water tea ceremony" with imaginative yokai.  Reserve tickets on Gunma's Shima Onsen web page the Kusatsu Onsen ski resort opened its new state-of-the-art gondola ferry service to bring skiers and sight-seers to the top of the slopes visitors will look out over Kusatsu's snowy landscape through the wide bubble windows of the gondola as they slowly drift toward the trailhead.  a classic meal of Edomae sushi served at Crystal Sora awaits The chef prepares each piece of nigiri with fine-dining quality attention to detail and visitors enjoy their meal with a view of the slopes.  Reserve tickets for the sushi and Crystal Sora event on the Kusatsu web page Kusatsu Onsen is most well known for its central wellspring that feeds the baths of every venerable ryokan in the area exclusive performances of the folk song Kusatsu Bushi will be accompanied by traditional dance and geisha arts visitors will be able to enjoy a soak in Goza no Yu's grand baths Reserve tickets on Gunma's Kusatsu geisha show web page Manza Onsen looks out over the mountaintops 1,800 meters above the Earth As part of a special collaboration with artist Misa Funai an immersive art and bathing installation has taken over one of the Prince Hotel's hot spring baths The onsen and contemporary art experience is limited to one pair per day and includes aperitifs inspired by the starry night sky and champagne courtesy of the hotel Bathers will be surrounded by snowy landscapes painted with projection mapping by the artist Reserve tickets on Gunma's Manza Onsen web page a wintry wonderland awaits snowshoed guests practiced guides lead ticket-holders through the white-blanketed woods on a journey to refresh the spirit with natural beauty clear blue skies offer a stunning panorama participants can enjoy making their own ice cream in the frigid weather Guests will trek up the path with ice cream-making ingredients on their belt and enjoy a chilly treat at the end perfect for beginners or those warming up before a ski session Reserve tickets on Gunma's Manza Onsen web page. visitors enjoying the Onsen Hopping Pass and tie-up events will have the chance to enjoy all of the above facilities and destinations For those looking for a home base with beautiful scenery and a chance to slow down Origami Onsen's Senkyou Ryokan offers a spacious respite Delicious local cuisine is served in private dining rooms and in-suite onsen baths overlook the snowy landscape.  Departing from Senkyou in the morning allows guests to enjoy the perks of the Onsen Hopping Pass all day a trip from Oikami allows visitors to enjoy all Gunma has to offer from dawn until nightfall this dive into Gunma's heartland promises to be a once in a lifetime adventure Get the Onsen Hopping Pass to visit all these hot springs with one convenient ticket This article is published in cooperation with Channel 47 You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Gunma — Accommodations without meals have been increasing in the Kusatsu Onsen hot spring resort in Kusatsu in line with a recent trend of separating lodging and eating please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent By Kyoko Kitade / Special to Ryoko Yomiuri Publication the main hot spring and a symbol of the town doing whatever they want to do — eating snacks outdoors visiting bathhouses or just strolling around — where and when they like Two large lanterns impressively flank the gate of Yoshinoya inn and you will find yourself in a lobby with a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere you will receive a local bar and restaurant guide brochure after hearing explanations about the inn and its services Drinking and dining establishments in Kusatsu Onsen are listed with a schedule for morning and they will politely recommend restaurants or bars to suit your liking The guest room I stayed at was a Japanese-style room with 16 tatami mats I was amazed at how spacious and luxurious it was The room’s many amenities included a desk and sofa A fluffy futon quilt made my stay all the cozier Yoshinoya’s men’s and women’s indoor baths are filled with 100% natural hot spring water from Yubatake flows abundantly into simple bathtubs made of stone Visible mineral deposits called yunohana float on the surface as the scent of sulfur floats on the air The hot water tingles slightly on one’s skin even as it envelops one’s body in gentle warmth Japanese tea and English tea are free at the lounge I leisurely strolled to a local izakaya dining bar where I enjoyed food and sake from Gunma Prefecture and was mesmerized by the dancing clouds of steam lit up in many colors To re-warm my body chilled by the cold air outside I took a hot bath again before going to sleep and dreaming the night away I refreshed myself with another bath followed by a free all-you-can-eat breakfast served buffet-style in the lobby I was more than satisfied by a wide selection of food — bread The inn readily holds your luggage even after you have checked out so you can continue to freely wander and fully enjoy Kusatsu Onsen Japan Tourism is presented in collaboration with Ryoko Yomiuri Publication, which publishes Ryoko Yomiuri, a monthly travel magazine. If you are interested in the original Japanese version of this story, click here.   Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting, readable fomat. © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun We are finally in Japan’s most beautiful season! You know what I mean, right? All around us the green forests, mountains and landscape are transformed into fiery crimson and vibrant orange hues, and there’s no better time to get to know your host nation than now. Fortunately, the weather is still great and that makes your hunting for fall leaf spots fun and refreshing. Recently my parents, my wife and I drove to the central mountainous region of Nagano and Gunma prefectures, popular spots for Momiji-gari (or fall leaf hunting in Japanese), to see the bright colors during their peak. Anxious for the breathtaking scenery filled with gorgeous fall foliage, we left our home in Yokosuka City near the U.S. Naval base before 5 a.m. We drove through Yoko-Yoko and Kan-etsu Expressways, and it was around 8:30 a.m. when we got to Karuizawa in Nagano. We drove along Route 43, enjoying the great views and beautiful weather. - Karuizawa – One of Japan’s most renowned premier resort spots Karuizawa is a fascinating town, home to a lot of classical western-style wooden architecture, high-end summer residences, rich forest and natural beauty. Its busy streets are filled with trendy restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops. We parked in the town center and picked up some free guide pamphlets at the tourist center. The history of Karuizawa as a premier resort town began when Canadian missionary Alexander Croft Shaw arrived there in 1886, according to the guide. Shaw was fascinated with the beauty of Karuizawa and built his church there. Shaw wrote about the town as an ideal summer getaway, which attracted many celebrities at the time to build summer homes in the area and helped develop Karuizawa as a premier resort town. Many summer villas and historical buildings still stand along the main street. We saw Shaw’s Memorial Anglican Church and St. Paul’s Catholic Church, as well as other wooden religious and public buildings with interesting traditional architecture. The town’s buildings and surrounding maple trees in their crimson colors gave the feeling of being in a postcard or painting. One building we were unfortunately not able to visit here was the former Mikasa Hotel, known as one of Japan’s most important cultural properties. It is currently under renovation through Summer 2025, so we’ll have to come back to check it out. As we completed our tour of the town and did a little souvenir shopping, we stopped for at a café to try Karuizawa soft cream. The soft serve ice cream is made from local milk and had a fresh and extremely rich flavor. You’ve got to try it! From there, we hopped back in the car for a 30-minute drive via the Shiraito Highland Way Toll Road to Shiraitonotaki (literally, the falls of white threads). - Shiraitonotaki – Countless crystal-clear waterfalls in the crimson forest We enjoyed strolling around the waterfalls, then made our way back to the car to continue our hunt for more fall foliage. Our drive led us through the Shiraito Highland Way, aka “Japan Romantic Road.” featuring countless impressive maple trees dressed in red and orange leaves. The mountains were a kaleidoscope of fall colors here and there as well. While we repeatedly stopped our car to photograph nice views of autumn mountains through the route, we found there are a lot of tourist attractions scattered throughout the route, including Mount Asama Magma Stone Park, the site of lava formations left over from nearby Mount Asama’s 1783 eruption. It’s worth dropping by the park to enjoy the panoramic view of unique stones and the snow-capped Mt. Asama and blue Gunma Mountain Range in the distance. Since we had already visited this park in 2020, we skipped it this time around continued on our way. - Kusatsu – One of the best three hot springs in autumn colors As we reached the town of Kusatsu in Gunma Prefecture, the awesome orange slopes and bright yellow and red trees took our breath away. It was the maple woods in the Kusatsu Alpine Plant Garden located next to Road Station “Kusatsu Undojaya Park.” We just had to stop to stroll the crimson woods and take plenty of photos. We reached the center of Kusatsu Town around 2 p.m. Kusatsu, along with Arima (Kobe) and Gero (Gifu), was deemed as one of the best three springs in the country during the 15th Century. After parking nearby the town’s symbol, we ventured out for a stroll around the center town. It was 2:30 p.m. and we were hungry from all the driving and sightseeing, so we just stopped by the tiny Chinese restaurant Korin, located near the hot water field, to sip ramen noodles. The noodles there were mild and not very salty, which to me, would make a perfect meal at the end of a long night of hopping izakayas and game parlors in the area. As we walked around the town enjoying the sights and sounds of the spring, sellers in yukata approached us to sample onsen manju, spring-steamed buns made with dough using spring water and filled with bean paste. We couldn’t resist but pick up one from their trays and sample it. It was really delicious with its complicated flavor and springy texture. You bet we bought many boxes of Kusatsu’s signature sweet there! To wrap up our hunt, we couldn’t leave the famous hot spring resort without enjoying a hot soak at Sainokawara Open-Air Bathhouse located on the wide gravelly riverbed. With 700 yen ($4.50) for admission, we entered the hot spring to bathe in its hot spring pool. Surprisingly, the water was not too hot, but I could feel the strong transparent sulfate spring water – heavy, smooth, and slimy. It felt like I was bathing in soap. And, though there were dozens of others bathing here, I was able to enjoy a long soak in the quiet and peaceful setting. When I got out of the water, I was nice and warm while my skin felt pretty smooth. vFeeling warmed up and refreshed, we left the hot spring resort around 6 p.m., the drive back set us back about four hours due to heavy traffic in the area. But nothing could diminish the great time spent Momiji-gari fall foliage-hunting and enjoying the fresh mountain air, popular streets of Karuizawa, beautiful waterwalls and a hot soak in renowned Kusatsu hot spring resort. As the end of autumn nears, it’s not too late to get out and enjoy Momiji-gari and the fresh seasonal air. In the Kanto Plain, Sasebo and Iwakuni areas, you can enjoy the fall foliage through mid-December, so make plans to get out and catch the beautiful colors now! Happy leaf hunting! Michinoeki (Road Station) Kusatsu Undojaya Park Location: 2-1 Kusatsu, Kusatsu Town, Gunma Prefecture Location: 521-3 Kusatsu, Kusatsu Town, Gunma Prefecture Hours: Apr. – Nov., 7 a.m. – 8 p.m., Dec. – Mar., 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Admission: Adult: 800 yen, ages 12 or younger: 400 yen Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan, Korea, Guam, and Okinawa with travel tips, restaurant reviews, recipes, community and event news, and more. Volume 9 - 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2021.741742 This article is part of the Research TopicVolcanic Lake Dynamics and Related HazardsView all 11 articles Interpreting the triggering mechanisms for phreatic eruptions is a key to improving the hazard assessment of crater lakes Yugama Crater Lake at Kusatsu-Shirane volcano is the site of frequent phreatic eruptions with the recent eruptions in 1982–83 including earthquake swarms in 2014 and 2018 To understand the magma–hydrothermal interaction beneath Yugama Crater Lake we analyzed lake waters from November 2005 to May 2021 Cl and SO4 concentrations decreased slowly suggesting the development of a self-sealing zone surrounding the crystallizing magma and Si concentrations as representatives of the breach and dissolution of minerals comprising the self-sealing zone and the Mg/Cl ratio as an indicator for enhanced interaction between groundwater and hot plastic rock within the self-sealing zone Si concentrations and the Mg/Cl ratio increased No Cl and SO4 increase during this period suggests the self-sealing zone was leached by deep circulating groundwater rather than by magmatic fluids injection and Si increased again but were associated with a significant Cl increase and a pH decrease We believe that the HCl-rich magmatic fluids breached the self-sealing zone leading to fluids injection from the crystallizing magma to the Yugama crater meaning that magmatic fluids ascending from the breached area of the self-sealing zone inhibited deep intrusion of groundwater into the hot plastic rock region magmatic fluids ascended through the self-sealing zone again with less intensity than in 2014 All eruptions since 1982 have been accompanied by a Mg/Cl ratio increase and a Cl decrease no eruptions and no Mg/Cl ratio increase occurred This demonstrates that the groundwater–hot plastic rock interaction played an essential role in triggering phreatic eruptions; i.e. phreatic eruptions can potentially occur without clear signs of fresh magma intrusions based on the chemical analysis of lake water at crater Yugama The 1982–83 eruption was triggered by vapor expansion following the interaction between groundwater and the hot plastic rock region inside the self-sealing zone The 1989–91 earthquakes and subsequent pH drops were caused by the groundwater that intruded within the self-sealing zone extracting HCl-rich fluids from the hot plastic rock region and supplying it to the Yugama crater Index map of Kusatsu-Shirane volcano and Yugama crater (A) Location map of Kusatsu-Shirane volcano (Source of the base map; the Geographical Survey Institute of Japan) Solid triangles indicate an active volcano (B) Shaded-relief image overlapping the aerial photograph around Kusatsu-Shirane volcano (Source of the base map; the Geographical Survey Institute of Japan) (C) Yugama crater (photograph taken by AT using a drone on May 8 a model based on the analytical results of the chemical and stable isotopic compositions of the fumarolic gases near the Yugama crater This result made us expect that magma–hydrothermal interaction can be inferred through the chemical composition of Yugama Crater Lake because magmatic gas contains many water-soluble components we present the chemical composition of water at Yugama Crater Lake which was sampled almost every month from November 2005 to May 2021 except for the volcanic unrest period and snow season we investigate the magma–hydrothermal interaction beneath Yugama Crater Lake during this period and propose a key mechanism for the recent eruptions at this crater a deep conductor corresponds to magma and the surrounding hot plastic rock region and a vertical conductor corresponds to a two-phase hydrothermal reservoir of liquid and vapor Flushing of magmatic fluids from deep conductors is thought to be controlled by self-sealing due to mineral deposition Seismicity and thermal activity around the Yugama crater The number of earthquakes from January 1978 to May 2017 are earthquakes that occurred in the Kusatsu-Shirane volcano and earthquakes after June 2017 are earthquakes that occurred near the Yugama crater The 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku Earthquake and the 2017 earthquakes in northern Nagano region are not earthquakes that occurred near the Yugama crater TGM; Thermal activity beneath the Yugama crater inferred from geomagnetic measurements Blue periods indicate a magnetizing trend (cooling periods); red periods indicate a demagnetizing trend (heating periods); and gray periods indicate an unclear or stagnant period Vertical dashed lines indicate eruptive events: (1) the eruption at Mizugama crater in 1976; (2–6) eruptions at the Yugama and the Karegama crater in 1982–1983; (7) a small eruption at the Yugama crater in 1989; (8) a small eruption at the Yugama crater in 1996; and (9) Vertical thin dashed lines indicate the turbulence on the lake surface: (*) water dome in 1997; and (**) Earthquake swarms occurred at Mt. Shirane from March to August 2014, followed by minor seismic activity until March 2018 (the end of Period 3; Figure 3). The thermal demagnetization was observed beneath the Yugama crater from May to June 2014. The thermal demagnetization appeared to stop after July 2014 (Kakioka Magnetic Observatory, 2019) On January 23, 2018, a phreatic eruption occurred at Mt. Motoshirane, 2 km south of the Yugama crater. No precursors, such as changes in seismicity, ground deformations, and thermal demagnetizations, were observed at the Kusatsu-Shirane volcano preceding this eruption (Ogawa et al., 2018; Terada et al., 2021) Preceding the earthquake swarms in 2014 and 2018, the deep pressure source at about 2 km northwest of the Yugama crater, at a depth of about 6.3 km below the lake surface, was inflated (Munekane, 2021) The inflated volumes from late-2013 to mid-2015 and from late-2017 to mid-2020 are estimated at 5 × 106 m3 and 2.5 × 106 m3 We consider that the deep inflation source affected the earthquake swarms in 2014 and 2018 Chemical and isotopic composition of lake water in Yugama crater sampled from November 2005 to May 2021 FIGURE 4. Lake water pH values in Yugama crater. Open and solid circles indicate the previous data since the 1970s (Ohba et al., 2008a) and the present analyses, respectively. TGM and the vertical dashed line show the same as Figure 3 FIGURE 5. Concentrations of anions (A), cations, and silica (B) of lake water in Yugama crater. Data before October 2005 were cited from Ohba et al. (2008a). TGM and the vertical dashed line show the same as Figure 3 which are the highest values ever observed The concentrations of dissolved components that increased in Period 2 maintained high values, with fluctuations, until October 2016. Thereafter, the pH increased until the end of this period, and the concentrations of various constituents decreased in general, with fluctuations (Figures 4, 5) The cooling magma is surrounded by a hot plastic rock region A self-sealing zone composed of secondary minerals separate the hot plastic rock region and the brittle rock region This boundary plays a role in the advancing front of brittle fracturing Cl-rich saline fluid expelled from the crystallizing magma remains in the deep part of the brittle region (A) Development of the self-sealing zone suppresses the ascent of magmatic fluid to the hydrothermal reservoir The groundwater circulation dilutes the remaining Cl in the deep in the brittle region and supplies them to the Yugama crater through the hydrothermal reservoir (B) Breaching phase of the self-sealing zone (BI): The groundwater circulation continues to transport Cl with heat from deep to the Yugama crater and deepens the circulation Continuous deep groundwater circulation causes the leaching of the self-sealing zone and contacts the hot plastic rock region (path “i”) (BII): A significant ascent of magmatic HCl-rich fluid breaches the self-sealing zone Contact between the groundwater and the hot plastic rock region is not enhanced because the deep circulating groundwater is inhibited by the ascending flow of magmatic fluid (path “ii”) (BIII): A less intense ascent of magmatic fluid allows groundwater to intrude slightly into the hot plastic rock region (path “iii”) (A′) The self-sealing zone regrows but its location advances toward the depth through repeated breaches and regrowth Deeper circulation is needed for the contact between groundwater and hot plastic rock self-sealing may have started before this study period The saturated vapor temperature of water at 150 bar is about 340°C; thus the groundwater that reached the hot plastic rock from the small breached part of the self-sealing zone in 2006 could not invade deeply and abundantly as FIGURE 7. Mg/Cl weight ratio of lake water in Yugama crater. Open and solid circles indicate the previous data since the 1970s (Ohba et al., 2008a) and the present analyses, respectively. TGM and the vertical dashed line show the same as Figure 3 TABLE 3. Constituent minerals in the ejecta of the 1982–83 eruptions at Yugama Crater Lake (data cited from Ossaka et al. (1984) In the case of a hydrothermal system beneath the Yugama crater such deep groundwater percolation corresponds to a depth below the self-sealing zone and is sufficient for the groundwater to interact with the mineral deposition of the self-sealing zone The earthquake swarm in 2014 was accompanied by a significant increase in Cl concentration and a decrease in pH, which is similar to the case of the earthquake swarm in 1990–93 (Figure 4) caused by the supply of HCl-rich magmatic fluids from the hot plastic rock region (Ohba et al., 2008a). The state of the magma–hydrothermal system in this period is represented in Figure 6BII although there is isotope enrichment by addition of Cl-rich fluids the heavy isotope ratio of lake water relative to local meteoric water is mainly due to evaporative enrichment even during this study period FIGURE 8. Relationship between H+ and Cl concentrations. H+ concentrations were calculated as [H+] = 10−pH. Open and solid circles indicate the previous data since the 1970s (Ohba et al., 2008a) and the present analyses, respectively. The regression line is calculated for the lake water during this study period (November 2005 to May 2021; Table 2) In addition to Cl and SO4, the concentrations of rock-forming species increased, especially Ca, Al, Fe, and Si (Figure 5) these species are probably derived from the secondary mineral deposition The increases in these components suggest that a breach (dissolution) of the self-sealing zone occurred corresponding to the earthquake swarm in 2014 we believe that the breaching process was different than the one in 2006 where magmatic or phreatomagmatic eruptions occur This seems to support the idea that the contact between groundwater and the hot plastic rocks which triggered the recent phreatic eruptions at Yugama Crater Lake or magma intrusions at Yugama Crater Lake might be fairly small in volume with no critical mass to destabilize the hydrothermal system and trigger eruptions the salinity of brine exsolving from a magma crystallizing below 1.3 kbar is initially low but it continues to increase as the magma crystallizes and eventually exceeds 50 wt% the increase in Cl concentration can be interpreted as being caused by the progress of magma crystallization and this is responsible for the decrease in the SO4/Cl ratio of the lake water along with the sulfur depletion FIGURE 10. (A) The SO4/Cl mole ratio of lake water in Yugama crater. Data before October 2005 were cited from Ohba et al. (2008a). TGM and the vertical dashed line show the same as Figure 3. (B) SO4 vs. Cl plot for lake water in Yugama crater. Open and solid circles indicate the previous data since the 1970s (Ohba et al., 2008a) and the present analyses should be focused on for future safety and research because a molten sulfur pool has been found at the bottom of the Yugama Crater Lake Water samples collected from Yugama Crater Lake at Kusatsu-Shirane volcano were analyzed from November 2005 to May 2021 to discuss the magma–hydrothermal interaction beneath this crater lake and a key mechanism for the recent eruptions at this crater The conclusions drawn are summarized as follows 1) The magma beneath the Yugama crater supplies HCl-rich fluid to the lake through the hydrothermal reservoir The long-term SO4/Cl ratio in Yugama Crater Lake is decreasing which may reflect the chemical evolution of magmatic fluid due to the degassing process of crystallizing magma 2) Suppression of magmatic fluids due to the development of the self-sealing zone surrounding degassing magma was estimated from 2005 to 2012 because Cl and SO4 concentrations in lake water decreased slowly during this period as well as in the Mg/Cl ratio were observed from 2006 to 2007 This is because the suppression of ascending magmatic fluids due to the developed self-sealing zone led to the deep circulation of groundwater the chemical and arguably physical leaching of the self-sealing zone the contact with the hot plastic rock region 3) An input of magmatic fluid to the hydrothermal reservoir breaching the self-sealing zone was estimated in 2014 because a significant increase in Cl concentrations and those of certain solute metal species indicating the leaching of the self-sealing zone the Mg/Cl ratio of the lake water did not increase because the ascending magmatic fluid inhibited the deep intrusion of groundwater into the hot plastic rock region 4) The input of magmatic fluid through the self-sealing zone was repeated in 2018 and 2020 on a smaller scale than after the 2014 earthquakes shown by only slight increases in the Mg/Cl ratio suggesting the less intense ascend of magmatic fluid allowing deep groundwater intrusion to the hot plastic rock region 5) The δD and δ18O of the waters in the Yugama crater lake are enriched relative to the local meteoric water but magmatic fluid input accounts for 21–32% (average in δD and δ18O) of the total isotopic enrichment relative to local meteoric water throughout the present study period 6) The contact between the groundwater and the hot plastic rock played an essential role in the mechanism of the eruptions that occurred at the Yugama crater after 1982 rather than the input of magmatic gas itself This is because these eruptions were always accompanied by an increase in the Mg concentration and the Mg/Cl ratio and they occurred during a decrease in the Cl concentration while the Mg/Cl ratio did not increase and no eruptions occurred during the 1990 and 2014 unrest when there were significant HCl supplies to the Yugama crater in contrast to more actively degassing volcanic systems which are involved in the eruptions at hyperacid crater lakes phreatic eruptions can potentially occur without clear signs of new magma intrusions but also during stages of cooling of relatively degassed magmas The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary Material further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author MY and TO sampled lake water by using a ladle and then analyzed the samples AT sampled lake water by using a ladle and a drone All authors read and approved the final manuscript This study was supported by ERI JURP (2020-KOBO11 2017-Y-volcano4) in Earthquake Research Institute under grant of the Integrated Program for Next Generation Volcano Research and Human Resource Development 2016 to 2021 The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest All claims expressed in this article are solely 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Your Ads Privacy ChoicesIMDb Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker A volcano near a ski resort in eastern Japan erupted Tuesday morning killing a Japanese defense force member taking part in training and injuring 11 others including two people who were left in serious condition Moto-Shirane in Gunma Prefecture shortly before 10 a.m including tourists from Taiwan and Britain temporarily stranded in a restaurant near the top of the mountain A weather agency official said observational data had not indicated heightened volcanic activity highlighting the difficulty of issuing disaster alerts in advance in Japan which is prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes The 2,171-meter volcano had been dormant for the past 3,000 years although another of the peaks comprising Mt Around 30 Ground Self-Defense Force troops of the 12th Brigade well-known for being sent to areas affected by natural disasters were engaging in ski training in the area at the time According to the GSDF and the Defense Ministry a 49-year-old male GSDF member died and seven other troops were injured The troops were initially believed to have been hit by an avalanche but Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said they appeared to have been pummeled by volcanic rock The remaining four who were injured are mainly skiers People who survived the disaster spoke about how volcanic rock shattered the glass of a gondola on the ski resort's aerial lift and smashed through the roof of the restaurant "I was scared to death," said a 71-year-old man from Tokyo recalling how two stones smashed the windows He said the lift was halted for about 30 minutes said he heard a strange sound when he was snowboarding near the mountain peak at around 10 a.m He then heard a rumbling sound and volcanic smoke was soon all around him apparently hit by a stone of around 20 to 30 centimeters in diameter he burrowed under the snow until it was safer to move on His ski wear was covered with ashes and had a number of holes "I was glad that I had my helmet on," the man said witnessed stones breaking through the roof not too far from him "It's really surprising such a thing could happen," he said The government has not heard of additional casualties or missing people in addition to the 12 victims so far Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference in the afternoon the Japan Meteorological Agency raised the volcanic alert status to 3 a level that restricts entry to the mountain while warning large rocks could continue to rain down within a 2-kilometer radius of the eruption site The eruption occurred about 2 km from a crater that the agency had been monitoring after assessing it was the most likely to erupt Unable to confirm the situation with security cameras installed in the area it took about an hour for the agency to release information that "an eruption seems to have occurred." Plume conditions remain unknown due to bad weather but the agency said it is unlikely that ash deposits will reach the nearby Kusatsu hot spring resort and residential areas The central government has set up a liaison office at the prime minister's office to gather information on the eruption with the agency monitoring the activity of 50 including Mt Kusatsu-Shirane was at one point raised to 2 on the five-level system in 2014 which only indicates the "potential" for increased activity Mountain climbers are not required to take action at levels 1 and 2 Ontake in central Japan also erupted unexpectedly killing 58 people and leaving five missing in the nation's deadliest volcanic disaster To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription Please check your inbox for a confirmation email Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible The best way to spend time in Kusatsu Onsen painters and high-ranking gentry as a haven of Japanese culture the onsen town of Kusatsu has drawn visitors for centuries We figured it was about time to do a Kusatsu Onsen guide Due to its unique positioning beneath the tip of Mount Shirane within 90 minutes the resort’s flowing hot springs provide enough scalding water to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool the eminent hot water field at the center of town is the resort’s main source of hot spring water Discover Kusatsu’s atmosphere and romance the same way as our predecessors by slapping over cobbled streets wearing wooden geta sandals and yukata – available at most hotels poets and scholars of 19th century France called Le Flaneur Kusatsu is best explored by wandering without aim After a four-hour bus ride from Shinjuku Station you’ll arrive in Kusatsu with the sole purpose of taking it slow Kusatsu has a lot to offer and can be explored at ease within a three-day weekend no more than a five-minute walk from most hotels Networks of wooden aqueducts and waterfalls transport the scalding hot waters between green and blue pools clouds puffing up in eggy sulphuric billows Basho’s haiku (left) describes the sound of geta tapping across the wooden planks surrounding the yubatake and folklore accounts say that Minamoto no Yoritomo bathed here after fleeing from Taira clan warriors watching the rising sun filter through the steam Aim for a hotel that has breakfast included as there are few breakfast-friendly cafés in Kusatsu Pick up a morning ticket at the traditional events hall Climb the tall staircase nearby to explore Kosenji a Buddhist temple dedicated to the glory of Kusatsu’s onsen water Kosenji is also home to a monument to Kobayashi Issa an Edo-era haiku poet (see above) with a fondness for the area relax next to the yubatake until the yumomi and dance performance begins Yumomi is a historical method of cooling the water where patrons use long wooden paddles to stir and slap the water singing folk songs to stay in time with each other especially as groups of bathers would synchronize their entry and exit the folk songs and yumomi carry an inherent cultural importance and the event is beautiful to watch Standing on the second floor will give you a bird’s-eye view but by watching from the ground floor you can give yumomi a try as guests are invited onto the stage to have a go themselves down Yutaki-dori leading away from the square but it’s worth the wait as there is an English menu available Post-soba is the perfect time to explore without aim through the lanes and alleyways of the town especially as midday marks the time when weekend trains and buses arrive get a feel for this unique city in the winding backstreets and conjoined houses If you’re in the mood for something other than kaiseki for dinner, try some yakiniku at Shitatsuzumi Walk off your meal by taking a turn around the yubatake At night the grand water feature is lit up with different colored lights and the cold air makes the boiling onsen water billow with clouds that swallow and release people at will check out and store your bags for a final day of wandering Explore the wooded forest path overlooking the roofs of Kusatsu by heading to Shirane Shrine by way of Nikkoji Temple The bustle of the town doesn’t quite reach this strangely quiet and peaceful path dotted with monuments to poets and famous visitors Come down the perilously steep staircase to lively Yutaki-dori onsen tamago (an egg boiled in onsen water) Follow this road up to Sainokawara Park where you’ll find naturally occurring overflowing pools and a river of pure blue water Take some time to relax over the footpaths and pop up the torii-lined stairway to Anamori Inari Shrine At the end of the park you’ll find Sai-no-Kawara Outdoor Bath a rudimentary set of baths with no showers It’s stripped of everything but the bare basics make up the largest outdoor onsen in Japan the towels are expensive so bring your own Men should also be aware that there’s a pretty revealing view awarded to anyone who walks along the adjacent mountainside path For lunch, take a stroll back to town to Café Gute Reise for a light snack and excellent coffee sourced from all over the world. If you have a sweet tooth then try the maple and almond cheesecake. As your departure time is likely nearing, stock up on treats for the journey home at Kogomipain which uses onsen water and domestic flour to bake its goods Take one last turn about the yubatake before picking up your luggage Having indulged in a weekend of good food hot sulphuric water and walks along the charming streets of Kusatsu in the style of bygone Japanese gentry your journey a little easier than it would’ve been in the Edo era For more info, go to www.kusatsu-onsen.ne.jp/guide/en/ A 3 1/2 -hour drive northwest of Tokyo puts you in the hot-spring town of Kusatsu Onsen a worthwhile trip for the chanko nabe – sumo stew – at local eatery Daicha-an certainly knows his stew; he’s a former sumo wrestler Chanko nabe is the traditional meal served at sumo training tables It has only four counter seats and three tables in a tatami room Hungry visitors can make a reservation by phone but he was patient enough to work with our limited Japanese bolstered by the few restaurant phrases we know — “Yoyaku dekimasuka?” (Can we make a reservation?) — and Google Translate on our mobile phones The cozy restaurant interior is lined with honey-colored wood paneling Retro movie posters and prints depicting sumo wrestlers decorate the walls black-haired sumo wrestler above the bar seemed familiar — that certain look in the wrestler’s eyes When the chef emerged from the kitchen with a large I gestured to the photograph and to our server he left and returned to our table with an album full of 4-by-6 photographs the pictorial story of his career as a young sumo wrestler We paged through the album while enjoying the delicious chanko nabe The miso-based soup had a protein-heavy mix of tender chicken and fish meatballs A drizzle of chili oil made each bite more addicting The chef returned a few more times to drop off yakitori skewers he came back to our table with a poster of sumo wrestler rankings as a gift The names of the wrestlers get larger according to their increasing ranks The former sumo wrestler turned chef looked surprised and paused while he composed a satisfactory answer Prices: 3,000 yen for a two-person serving of chanko nabe Izakaya-style dishes range from 260-750 yen for yakitori 680 yen for fried food and 800-1,000 yen for sashimi Directions: A six-minute walk from the Yubatake in the center of Kusatsu Onsen or 10 minutes from the Kusatsu Onsen bus terminal a Recruit Group research and survey organization which focuses on tourism When respondents were asked which hot spring area they would like to visit again their top choice was Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture received valid responses from 13,961 people regarding 237 hot spring areas nationwide the most popular hot spring area had been Hakone Onsen in Kanagawa Prefecture While there were a few other changes in the order of the top 10 The top three hot springs that respondents would like to visit at least once were Nyūtō Onsen in Akita Prefecture Created by Nippon.com based on data from Recruit The ranking for 2020 appears in parentheses This hot spring area garnered particular attention after Gunma University announced research results stating the water from Kusatsu Onsen was effective in inactivating COVID-19 acting as an alternative to alcohol disinfection which had been set up in the area near the Yubatake hot spring source as part of the countermeasures for COVID-19 were found to lead to a reduction in anxiety among seniors and families with children Kusatsu Onsen This area of hot springs, located on the Tōkaidō, one of the Five Highways of Japan has been flourishing since the Edo period (1603–1868) It has a number of hot spring resorts dotted around the base and up to the midway point of the volcano Mount Hakone Easy public transport access makes these hot springs a popular choice Ōwakudani This onsen area is hugely popular in Hokkaidō as it offers nine different types of hot springs with abundant amounts of spring water Related article: Hokkaidō’s Noboribetsu Hot Springs: Waters to Soothe the Body and Soul Okunoyu This hot spring is mentioned in the eighth-century Nihon shoki (Chronicle of Japan) and is regarded as one of Japan’s three ancient hot springs, along with Arima Onsen in Hyōgo Prefecture and Shirahama Onsen in Wakayama Prefecture. Author Natsume Sōseki who once worked as an English teacher in the city of Matsuyama admired the modern Japanese-style architecture of Dōgo Onsen’s main building and praised it in his literary masterpiece Botchan Dōgo Onsen Hundreds of hot spring resorts are located throughout the city of Beppu based around eight historically renowned hot spring districts This area boasts the largest number of hot springs and greatest amount of spring water in Japan Beppu Onsenkyō This is a mountain hot spring area surrounded by virgin beech forest Its relative inaccessibility makes it a peaceful Related article: Akita’s Nyūtō Onsenkyō: Hot-Spring Bathing in the Beauty of the Forest Ashiyu foot bath at Nyūtō Onsen Banner photo: Snow falling at an outdoor onsen Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Tokyo While sakura season is just around the corner you can still enjoy some snowy landscapes and steamy hot springs in Gunma prefecture’s famous Kusatsu Onsen resort you can hop on a highway bus that takes you straight from Tokyo to the onsen resort Japan’s highway bus companies are offering three different discount deals so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest Get on the bus at either Tama-Plaza Station Futako-Tamagawa Rise Rakuten Crimson House or Shibuya Mark City and you’ll arrive at Kusatsu Onsen in about  five hours depending on traffic and where you depart from the bus will also make a short stop at the Kan-etsu Kamisato Service Area to give you a break The deal includes discount tickets to the hot springs and the round-trip highway bus ticket: ¥8,300 from Shibuya and Futako-Tamagawa stations This plan includes free entry to either Gozanoyu or Sainokawara Rotenburo and a round-trip highway bus ticket: ¥7,200 from Shibuya and Futako-Tamagawa stations This deal is perfect for winter sport fans. In addition to free entry to either Gozanoyu or Sainokawara Rotenburo, this deal includes a lift ticket to Kusatsu Onsen’s ski resort plus a ¥500 discount coupon for the ski resort restaurant The ski resort boasts slopes for beginners as well as advanced and experienced skiers From the slope's highest point at 1,600 metres One of the most popular slopes is the 4,300-metre run along National Highway 292 – the road is closed to cars during winter and makes a fantastic ski slope Prices for the plan vary depending which ski lift pass you go for The deal with a full-day lift ticket costs ¥10,200 from Shibuya and Futako-Tamagawa stations while the four-hour lift ticket deal is a bit cheaper at ¥9,700 from Shibuya and Futako-Tamagawa stations Note that all three discount deals are only available for adults, and while Plan 1 and 2 are available until March 31, Plan 3 is only available until March 21. The discount deals have to be booked via the official highwaybus.com app but if you tap on おトクなセット券を購入する (‘buy bargain set tickets’) on the home screen you’ll find the Kusatsu Onsen discount deals For more information and the timetables, see here (in Japanese only) See a million nemophila flowers blooming at Osaka Maishima Seaside Park this spring Legoland Japan is getting the world’s first Lego Water Maze this summer This Japanese online store sells homeware for left-handed people Enjoy bottomless mimosas in Tokyo with this ¥1,650 all-you-can-drink deal Kodo Nishimura wrote ‘This Monk Wears Heels’ to inspire self-love and self-acceptance Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.  facebooktwitterpinterestinstagramAbout us A type of traditional Japanese inn, this new Kengo Kuma-designed ryokan comprises a restaurant at ground level and a bedroom and adjoining hot spring bath on the top floor the new building faces the famous kusatsu onsen hot spring fields To design the small inn, Kengo Kuma’s project team looked to the surroundings. The concept was to connect the building and Yubatake into a three-dimensional landscape, immersing guests in the feeling of the nearby hot spring while overlooking it. To achieve this, the architects applied Asama stones found in hot springs onto the elevational treatment They also incorporated curved geometries to echo the soft natural movement of steam rising from the Yubatake The curved window to the restaurant on the ground floor helps break up the largely solid black volume and turns the corner of the building into a softly glowing beacon at night Local materials continue inside with Asama stone terrazzo and Japanese washi paper mixed with crushed local stones The sleeping accommodation on the top floor is a dark cozy space that features a beautiful exposed timber ceiling uses tiles that are typically used for the floor of the Yubatake ‘By incorporating material and geometrical elements of Yubatake hot springs throughout the building we condensed the materiality of the historic town of Kusatsu in this small building.’ images by Kawasumi・Kobayashi Kenji Photograph Office close up view of the hot spring stones on the exterior walls the interiors feature local materials such as asama stone terrazzo and japanese washi paper mixed with crushed local stones the top floor contains the inn’s single bedroom name: Kusatsu Kimuraya architecture: Kengo Kuma and Associates structural engineer: Suzuki Akira／A.S.A photography: Kawasumi・Kobayashi Kenji Photograph Office AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style including German government officials and business leaders visited Panasonic Corporation’s Kusatsu site to see the H2 KIBOU FIELD demonstration facility of the RE100 solution and the fuel cell factory At the H2 KIBOU FIELD President Steinmeier was given a briefing on and observed a demonstration of a system for supplying power generated from renewable sources for factory operations by combining pure hydrogen fuel cell generators and on Panasonic’s initiatives in the hydrogen business the president had a look around the fuel cell factory where he inspected the production process of the residential fuel cell ENE-FARM with great interest We are confident that the political and business leaders from Germany which is rapidly shifting to renewable energy to achieve a carbon-free society have gained more insight about Panasonic’s corporate attitude and environmental technology including pure hydrogen fuel cell generators Panasonic will continue to accelerate its efforts to make greater contributions to the environment toward realizing carbon neutrality Please upgrade to a more modern version to fully experience JapanToday site and for security reasons but with the chance to thaw in a traditional hot spring bath as well Kusatsu Onsen in the Japanese Alps of northwestern Gunma prefecture is just the ticket Here you will find a delightfully welcoming small town atmosphere and -- in the winter season -- nearby ski fields and other winter sports Kusatsu's reputation as one of Japan's best onsens is centuries old When Meiji Period Western advisor Dr Erwin Baelz discovered Kusatsu he wrote in his diary: “In addition to its unrivalled hot springs for baths Kusatsu has the best mountain air in Japan and splendid water for internal use.” Kusatsu's water is something quite special sulfate and chloride that make the water highly acidic and give it antiseptic properties The town is also infused with the scent of these elements which the water picked up as it moved through the volcanic rock of nearby Mt Shirane The active volcano is also responsible for the extreme heat of the water which bubbles out of the ground at 51C to 95C Historically bathers themselves stirred the water as a pre-bathing exercise members of the audience are also invited to participate The entire performance begins with a video explaining the history of the area and of Yumomi (with translation into several languages available via a free app) and also includes performances of some local Kusatsu dances Another place to witness this phenomenon is Sai-no-Kawara a small valley about a 10 minute walk from Yubatake there are several places where the water is emerging from the ground and gathering into small -- and sometimes large - -pools before eventually flowing into a stream that continues on through the town Here you'll also find a foot bath and a discreetly walled off public outdoor bath There are several public baths to check out all over the town Buy a Santo Meguri coupon for 1,600 yen for discounted admission to Sai-no-kawara the three most popular public baths in Kusatsu (the coupon contributes to their popularity Most baths are in the traditional Japanese style but at Therme Therme (on the theme of a Roman bath) Many of the public baths have refreshment facilities available as well If you are staying overnight in Kusatsu (recommended) you can also count on an onsen bath in your accommodation There is a wide range of accommodation available and a helpful office directly across from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal can help Some of the large historical hotels probably offer the best overall experience and many are conveniently located near Yubatake Several more modern "resort hotels" are also available on the outskirts of the town and have shuttle bus service to/from Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal The center of Kusatsu is a pretty compact and easily walkable Several roadways radiate from Yubatake and it can be fun to just wander them ducking into shops at whim to explore...and warm up as well as plenty of restaurants and coffee shops the Kusatsu Loop Bus can be particularly useful you can reach about 20 of the town's most famous spots for just 100 yen per ride The bus originates at the Kusatsu Onsen Bus Terminal with Yubatake as its second stop and passes each stop about every 40 minutes One of the stops of the Round Bus is Kusatsu International Snow & Spa Resort Kusatsu has over 100 years of downhill skiing history; Japan's first ski lift was built here in 1948 Twelve lifts take skiers all over the flanks of Mt Tengu and Mt Shirane Guided off-slope skiing and snow shoeing are also available depending on snow conditions (advance reservations required) is a freelance travel writer who also blogs about traveling in Japan Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts A mix of what's trending on our other sites Please sign in with your Snow-Forecast account details below Create a free account to receive instant Snow-Alerts and save your favourite resorts on your personal MySnow page Kusatsu Kokusai Weather (Next 3 days): The snow forecast for Kusatsu Kokusai is: Heavy rain (total 32.0mm) Mild temperatures (max 9°C on Thu afternoon Kusatsu Kokusai Weather (Days 4-6): Heavy rain (total 24.0mm) Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the WSW on Sat night Several North American ski areas that are still open plan to celebrate the unofficial Star Wars Day tomorrow The above table gives the weather forecast for Kusatsu Kokusai at the specific elevation of 1708 m. Our sophisticated weather models allow us to provide snow forecasts for the top, middle and bottom ski stations of Kusatsu Kokusai. To access the weather forecasts for the other elevations, use the tab navigation above the table. For a wider view of the weather, check out the Weather Map of Japan Click here to read further information on freezing levels and how we forecast our temperatures Be the first to write a review! View detailed snow forecast for Kusatsu Kokusai at:snow-forecast.com Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries Snowy hills frame the steamy hot springs at Manza Onsen in Japan's Gunma Prefecture © Visit Gunma Take a look at a map of Japan and it’s easy to see why this island nation has such a connection to the sea Yet the mountains of Japan’s interior are equally beautiful and revered for their water sources. Just an hour north of Tokyo Gunma Prefecture is one of those eight landlocked prefectures And what it doesn’t have in the way of sand or surf its stunning mountainous terrain more than makes up for with its own incredible water-based activities From the invigorating natural force of its rivers and waterfalls to the calming stillness of its picturesque lakes and more than 400 natural onsen (100 of which feature accommodations) Gunma makes its abundant waters available to everyone stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan in the many onsen towns and enjoy on-site hot spring bathing at the end of each day’s sightseeing Whether your objective is to get your heart pumping or to relax and unwind here are some of Gunma Prefecture’s must-see water-themed highlights Kusatsu Onsen is one of the best and most unique onsen (hot springs) resort towns in Japan you’ll find the steaming yubatake or “hot water field.” It gushes out an incredible 8,500 gallons of natural onsen water with a pH value of almost 2.1 every minute – the highest volume and one of the most acidic hot springs in Japan Place a nail in the water and it will dissolve in a week Its unique mineral qualities make Kusatsu Onsen a particularly renowned center for healing and wellness it takes 30 years for the water to attain this level of therapeutic benefit Starting as rain and melted snow fallen atop Kusatsu’s volcanic Mount Shirane it finally reaches the lower elevation of the town where it’s pumped out in spectacular fashion in the yubatake A trip to Kusatsu feels nothing short of decadent, where visitors can spend several days hopping from one hot spring to the next. Absolutely do not miss the staggering 5,380-square-foot Sainokawara Rotenburo one of the biggest outdoor baths in the country a rocky valley with rejuvenating footbaths made up of hot streams and ponds For indoor bathing, Otakinoyu provides the most variety and features the awaseyu (or partition baths) a unique tradition in which you start at a bath of lower temperature and slowly make your way up to the hottest one Gunma Prefecture has long been a local favorite for nature and adrenaline-pumping adventure sports close to the country’s capital snowboarding and snowshoeing are all popular activities About three miles north of the onsen town of Minakami, Tanigawadake Tenjindaira or ‘Tenjin’ for short is one of the top ski destinations in Japan With snowfall of about 12-16 feet on average Advanced skiers can hire a guide and explore Tenjin’s legendary backcountry options considered to be some of Japan’s best big mountain terrain Adventure seekers shouldn't miss canyoning in Minakami the biggest canyoning destination in the world visitors can explore the gorgeous and divinely cool nearby canyons by swimming jumping into pools and rappelling down waterfalls Minakami is also a premier location for white-water rafting the Tone River has raging rapids from the melted snow while the summer affords a lower water level and slower pace Situated just a few miles from Shima Onsen is Lake Okushimako a man-made lake created as a result of damming the Shima River it is its natural beauty that lures visitors notably its striking cobalt blue hue that locals have coined “Shima blue” – a color they claim can be seen nowhere else visitors can explore the lake at a relaxed pace by canoe or paddleboard marveling at the transparent waters and surrounding tree-laden mountain landscape – fresh and green in the spring and summer Gunma’s plentiful waters are not reserved only for those who want to get in or on them. Hikers can also experience water adventure with a visit to Oze National Park where elevated boardwalks allow visitors to explore Ozegahara Marsh and around Lake Ozenuma The expansive Ozegahara Marsh is more than three miles long and 2,000 yards wide Flanked by Mt Shibutsu and Mt Hiuchigatake mountains and featuring hundreds of pools the wood-planked trails allow you to feel as though you are walking through the terrain at ground level without getting your feet wet The changing seasonal landscape creates incredible natural scenes most notably the sea of Mizubasho (Asian skunk cabbages) which bloom all across Ozegahara Marsh from late May to mid-June as well as the yellow day lilies (early July-early August) and the bright autumnal grasses (mid September-early October) Gunma Prefecture is blessed with innumerous waterfalls, but the 23-foot-tall 100-foot-wide Fukiware-no-taki Falls accessible from mid-April to mid-December in Numata is one to include on any itinerary Nicknamed the “Niagara of the East,” visitors can marvel at the power of this distinct natural water feature while enjoying the invigorating mist that lingers in the air Do a loop of the ravine to see other waterfalls mysterious rock faces and cross over bridges including the Ukishima-bashi suspension bridge to view the landscape from a different perspective Gunma Prefecture is easily accessible by public transportation Bullet trains from Tokyo reach Minakami in just 70min from where it is about 1.5 hours by bus to Kusatsu Onsen A car is useful for in-prefecture exploration where local transportation options may be limited but visitors should keep in mind that some roads close during winter Everything you need to know about visiting an onsen in JapanJapan's nature paradise won't be a secret for much longerGet back to nature in Japan Your request appears similar to malicious requests sent by robots Please make sure JavaScript is enabled and then try loading this page again. If you continue to be blocked, please send an email to secruxurity@sizetedistrict.cVmwom with: I wholeheartedly concur with the folk song that originated in Kusatsu Onsen Gunma Prefecture: “Kusatsu Yoitoko Ichido wa Oide” (Kusatsu is a good place There are hot springs scattered all over Japan but not very many have kept the ambiance and spirit of how “onsen-gai” towns Many big hotels sprang up in places blessed with hot mineral waters during Japan’s bubble economy of the late 1980s and early 1990s These ryokan and hotels hoarded guests by providing for all their needs--tearooms and coffee shops to lounge about in; karaoke bars and game centers for entertainment; shops to buy souvenirs; multiple indoor and outdoor baths that switch from male to female depending on the time and day; and door-to-door shuttle bus services from train stations to hotel No more couples and families strolling alleys with steam coming from cracks in the ground or square wooden crates with hot “manju” sweets inside No more people wearing geta sandals and “yukata” (casual cotton kimono) with the ryokan’s name printed on them and no more visiting small establishments to shop and be entertained so I felt a little trepidation about visiting again because the onsen town was picturesque and perfect in my memory Revisiting places from yesteryear has often led to dismay I was relieved to find that it hasn’t lost its spirit Kusatsu Onsen is situated between Mount Asamayama and Mount Shiranesan These mountains provide the mineral-rich thermal waters that flow to the central Yubatake the source of all the waters for the baths in the town “yunohana” (washed flowers of sulfur) are harvested from the Yubatake and sold as bath salts They say that the name Kusatsu comes from “kusai-mizu,” or sulphuric water that gives off a smelly odor The piping hot waters are concentrated at the Yubatake and cooled a bit before making their way to the onsen in the area Kusatsu Onsen was made famous by a German physician to Emperor Meiji Balz was an “oyatoi gaikokujin,” a temporary foreign government adviser hired to modernize Japan He wrote highly of the medicinal benefits of the waters There are daily “yumomi” (water stirring) performances at some onsen where women sing the “Kusatsu Yoitoko” song and stir the hot water with 180-centimeter wooden paddles to cool it down instead of diluting it with cold water where the yunohana and onsen-gai of the past still blossom a Washington-born and Tokyo-based photographer originally appeared in the July 17 issue of Asahi Weekly It is part of the series "Lisa’s Wanderings Around Japan," which depicts various places across the country through the perspective of the author Lisa’s Wanderings Around Japan/ Omihachiman city: Lip gloss for a better future Lisa’s Wanderings Around Japan/ Iya Valley: Swinging vines and bridges bring Tarzan and Jane to mind Lisa’s Wanderings Around Japan/ Otsuki: Look around and you’ll find Momotaro everywhere Lisa’s Wanderings Around Japan/Ise Jingu: Finding divine grace along with hospitality at a grand shrine Lisa’s Wanderings Around Japan/ Makino Botanical Garden: Preserving the legacy of Japan’s ‘father of botany’ Lisa’s Wanderings Around Japan/ Echigo-Tsumari Art Field: Explore the ‘art de vivre’ of Niigata Gunma — A special event has been going on since Friday in the hot spring town of Kusatsu colorful wagasa — traditional Japanese umbrellas – will brighten up the nights in this resort spot The wagasa festival was launched by the Kusatsu Onsen Tourism Association to attract more tourists even during the off-season which follows the Golden Week holidays The association cast a spotlight on wagasa as decorations befitting Kusatsu’s retro streetscape especially during the upcoming rainy season Not far from Yubatake – the “field of hot water” which helps supply the town’s baths – in Toji Hiroba square forty-eight Japanese umbrellas of various colors are lit up in lines on the ground or atop wooden fences at It’s very beautiful,” said Eriko Kinoshita The umbrellas are lit up in the evening from 5-11 p.m The umbrellas will remain in place outside of these times except when the weather is too rough to permit it Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting who graciously shared memories of this Trek experiences and filled us in on what he's doing these days How well did you know Star Trek before making your appearances on TNG?I was a fan of The Original Series In the fall of '66 I was at Northwestern University and every time Star Trek appeared I thought it was kind of fun to be auditioning for the admiral and then wind up being Picard's classmate and being in costume and on the bridge of the new Enterprise this is kind of cool." I was tapping the badge right above my heart with my palm and going "Bridge." Every actor wants to do that And I'd wanted to do that as far back as attending Northwestern What intrigued you most about playing the admiral and did they tell you when you played him the first time that he'd be a recurring character?Not at the time I liked that he was a classmate of Picard's It was exciting to me just to be guesting on a Star Trek show I enjoyed meeting people like Michael Westmore was like a lab in which to try everything and to train a whole new generation of makeup artists and so a lot of people learned their craft from him One of the first things I ever did in this town was Kung Fu They were part of the old Hollywood tradition So I was honored to be part and parcel of that I'd previously worked with LeVar Burton We did voiceover work for Captain Planet and the Planeteers Brent Spiner and I had done a pilot together called Sylvan in Paradise this probably beats being on Sylvan," which was sort of like Gomer Pyle in Hawaii My other Star Trek connection is that I worked with Bill Shatner a couple of times You ulitmately played Vice Admiral Nakamura three times What else do you remember about the experience?I had a good time The episodes sort of get muddled in the sands of time for me But what I remember was that just the whole process was so thrilling I kept going to the gym because I didn't want to have to wear a girdle or anything like that I couldn't believe how welcoming and open Patrick Stewart was Even just to be on the lot at Paramount was an honor Volume 7 - 2019 | https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2019.00249 This article is part of the Research TopicRecent Advances in Volcanic Gas ScienceView all 15 articles Minor seismicity may occur at volcanoes with hydrothermal system before a steam eruption it is indispensable to detect and understand the nature of this shallow seismicity As the fumarolic gas resides in the hydrothermal system it may provide insights for elucidating the nature of any seismicity and thus forecast steam eruptions intense seismic activity took place in 2014 and 2018 To investigate the relationship between the seismicity and gas chemistry five fumarolic gas discharges have been repeatedly analyzed Since July 2014 to November 2017 a monotonic decrease in CO2/H2O He/H2O and N2/H2O ratios was recorded in the fumarolic gasses located north of the summit of volcano suggesting the decline of the magmatic component On the contrary the CH4/H2O ratio significantly increased during the seismically quiet period indicating that reduced conditions developed in the hydrothermal system The high N2/He ratio in the quiet period indicates the addition of N2 likely deriving from the crustal rocks hosting hydrothermal reservoir The N2/He ratio in 2018 was significantly lower than those recorded in 2014 indicating the evolution of magma with the progress of degassing The δD(H2O) and δ18O(H2O) values and the CO2/H2O ratios of fumarolic gas discharges were modeled with the following processes: generation of vapor phase after the mixing between magmatic gas and a cold groundwater with meteoric origin addition of vapor phase with meteoric origin and partial condensation of water vapor near surface Only a single magmatic gas is necessary for the above modeling These data suggest that at Kusatsu-Shirane volcano the activation of seismicity was synchronized with the increase of the magmatic component in the fumarolic gas It is postulated that the injection of magmatic gas increased the fluid pressure in the reservoir The injection would have been triggered by a break of the sealing zone surrounding the degassing magma The injection of magmatic gas can be detected by monitoring the composition of the fumarolic gas thus giving the possibility to forecast any future seismicity Minor seismicity episodically occurs at volcanoes with hydrothermal system. Such seismicity could be the precursor to a steam-driven explosive eruption (hereafter “Steam eruption”). The steam eruption is generally small in scale (Barberi et al., 1992) it is indispensable to determine the cause of the seismicity occurring in the hydrothermal system The fumarolic gas observed at volcanoes resides in the hydrothermal reservoir it may be useful for elucidating the occurrence and the nature of shallow seismicity This eruption occurred in an unexpected place far from Crater Yugama a large number of volcanic earthquakes happened beneath Crater Mizugama (Mi) and the east side of Ainomine cone (Ap) Thin broken curves indicate the ski slopes The altitude interval of the contour line is 20 m The thin solid curve indicates the car road The unusual green–gray color of the lake water in Crater Yugama attracts sightseers who climb to a belvedere situated on the southern rim of the crater The Crater Yugama is an important resource for the local economy In order to reveal the relationship between the seismic activity and fumarolic gas composition a periodical (2 or 3 times per year) sampling and analysis of five fumarolic gas discharges was carried out since July 2014 until August 2018 In this study we aim to investigate the processes affecting the magmatic-hydrothermal system beneath Crater Yugama on the basis of the chemical and isotopic composition of fumarolic gasses Chemical and isotopic composition of fumarolic gasses with the apparent equilibrium temperatures The R-gas was analyzed using two different gas chromatographs with Ar and He as carrier gasses The GC-Ar was used to determine the concentration of He a 6m-long MS5A packed column and a TCD detector were installed The temperature of the column and detector was kept at 50 and 100°C The flow rate of Ar carrier gas was 30 ml/min He in volcanic gas is difficult to be analyzed due to the overlap of H2 peaks if the amount of co-existing H2 is high the He peak of 17ppm STP was separated from the H2 peak of 17% STP All R-gas samples had a good separation between He and H2 peaks on the chart of GC-Ar the relative concentrations of N2 and Ar were determined In the GC-He a 6m-long Gaskuropack-54 column (GC Sciences Inc.) and a TCD detector were installed The temperature of column and detector was kept at −70 and 50°C O2 and Ar peaks in normal atmospheric air were separated For all the R-gas samples a good separation among N2 E was almost stable except the small rising in October 2016 and a drop of C in May 2018 The δD(H2) of S was lower than the δD(H2) of W The apparent equilibrium temperature (hereafter AET) was calculated assuming the equilibrium of the following reaction and N2/H2O (C) molar ratios calibrated on the left y-axis Some data were adjusted to the y-axis range by multiplying values indicated in figure The red histogram calibrated on the right y-axis shows the monthly number of volcanic earthquakes observed by JMA and Ar/H2O (C) molar ratios calibrated on the left y-axis Some data were adjusted to the y-axis range by multiplying values as indicated in figure and δD(H2) (C) calibrated on the left y-axis AET is worth due to a potential measure for the temperature of gas source. The equilibrium of the above reaction depends on the total pressure of gas. The total pressure of gas was assumed to be the saturation pressure of H2O at AET. For the calculation, the equation by Ohba et al. (2010) was used The apparent equilibrium temperature (AET) was also calculated assuming the equilibrium of the following isotope exchange reaction For the calculation, the fractionation factor given by Richet et al. (1977) was used. Hereafter, the AETs for the reactions (2) and (3) are designated to be ATE1 and AET2, respectively. As shown in Figure 5 Time variation of apparent equilibrium temperature [AET1 (A) and 2 (B) defined in the text] calibrated on the left y-axis it is considered that the change of A to B the CO2/N2 ratio of the additional component was constant CO2 as an additional component is also regarded as crustal component (Cc) It is presumed that the CH4/N2 ratio of the additional component increased because the redox state of the hydrothermal reservoir became reduced the decrease in the flow rate of magmatic gas enriched in SO2 is possible N2/He (B) molar ratios calibrated on the left y-axis He-N2-CO2 ternary molar composition of fumarolic gas and C indicate the composition in July 2014 He-N2-CH4 ternary molar composition of fumarolic gas the chloride concentration of lake water increased quickly accompanying the decrease in pH of lake water suggesting an input of HCl enrich magmatic gas to the hydrothermal reservoir beneath Crater Yugama through the sealing zone surrounding the degassing magma were observed in the lake water (in preparation for publication) Considering the similarity between the activity in 1990 and 2014 an input of magmatic gas through the sealing zone was assumed in the Period-I The hydraulic pressure in the reservoir decreased and the occurrence of the earthquake was suppressed the flow rate of SO2 supplied to the reservoir would decrease the fluid in the reservoir gradually became reductive and CH4 was generated by the reductive reaction of CO2 carbon and nitrogen contained in host rock of reservoir were extracted to the hydrothermal fluid as CO2 or N2 magmatic gas whose composition is Mc2 again passed through the sealing zone The fluid pressure in the reservoir again increased The N2/He ratio of Mc2 decreased relative to the N2/He ratio of Mc1 Figure 9. He-N2-Ar ternary molar composition of fumarolic gas. The position of A, B, and C indicate the composition in July 2014, November 2017 and August 2018, respectively. Cp, Me, Ma represent the typical endmember composition of gas from volcanoes on circum-Pacific volcanic belt, Mediterranean sea and hot spots with mantle origin, respectively (Giggenbach, 1997) Conceptual model for the evolution of magma hydrothermal system beneath Crater lake Yugama Let us now examine the possibility that the compositional change of the fumarole occurred as a result of the earthquake. Such a situation can occur, for example, when a fluid is confined in a hydrothermal system, and the host rock is fractured by seismic activity and the fluid is released. The fluid should interact with the host rock. Generally, rocks are rich in Fe2+, which acts as a reducing agent and converts CO2 to CH4 (Giggenbach, 1997) the fluid confined in the space should contain CH4 which are crustal components contained in the host rock The fluid interacting with the host rock should be thus rich in hydrothermal components CH4 and crustal components CO2 and N2 If such fluids are released by seismic activity and N2/He ratios will increase just after the seismic event Since such changes are opposite to the actual observations the possibility that seismic activity is responsible for the compositional change of fumarole is denied we postulate that the magmatic gas was injected into the hydrothermal system water vapor (Vp) and coexisting hot water (Lp) are generated δD and δ18O of H2O in fumarolic gas with the modeled vapor phase in hydrothermal reservoir The isotopic fractionation between water and vapor with various temperatures is inserted Parameters used for the model calculation generating Vp 200°C was adopted as an appropriate and delimitating value for the temperature of Vp and Lp CO2/H2O and stable isotopic ratios of Mv should be input and CO2/H2O and stable isotope ratios of Vp and Lp can be outputted Because the degree of freedom is left in the mixing ratio of Mv and Lw and E with the high isotopic ratios near the line of Vp C and E is considered to occur when the mixing ratio of Mv is 0.3–0.4 It seems that this mixing ratio was stable from 2014 to 2018 The isotopic ratios of S and M are similar. The positions of S and M are clearly different from W, C and E. Although the similarity in isotopic ratios between S and M, they have quite different CO2/H2O ratios (Figure 12). By considering the CO2/H2O ratio in addition to the isotopic ratio, the formation mechanism of S and M is elucidated. In Figure 12 the scaled CO2 fraction is taken on the horizontal axis The scaled CO2 fraction is defined by the following equation Correlation between isotopic ratios and CO2/H2O molar ratio for fumarolic gasses and modeled vapor phase ScF(CO2) is the scaled CO2 fraction in H2O-CO2 binary system where C is the CO2/H2O molar ratio. In Figures 12A,B, the vertical axis shows δD and δ18O, respectively. First, the vapor (Vp) in reservoir condensed slightly, then mixed with a water vapor generated from the local meteoric water (Lv). A groundwater circulating in crust could be heated conductively. The groundwater gets enthalpy through the heating. The existence of Lv in Kusatsu Shirane volcano was demonstrated by Ohwada et al. (2003) The fumarolic gas S is considered to have formed from the mixture followed by a heavy condensation The fumarolic gas M has the CO2 concentration much lower than that of S The low CO2 concentration is due to the large mixing fraction of Lv After the mixing little condensation took place Some arbitrariness remains in the above model such as this model successfully demonstrates the isotopic ratio and the CO2/H2O ratio of all the fumarolic gasses of Kusatsu Shirane volcano a single magmatic gas (Mv) is required with the interaction of local meteoric water and the condensation of water vapor which were carried by the meteoric water vapor (Lv) Conceptual model for the magma hydrothermal system at Kusatsu-Shirane volcano As a result of repeated collecting and analyzing fumarolic gas at Kusatsu Shirane volcano a close relationship was found between the seismic activity and the chemical composition of fumarolic gas near the summit (W These components increase and decrease in response to the injection of magmatic gas to the hydrothermal reservoir The N2/He ratio of the fumarolic gas near the summit varies with two factors When the crustal component is added to the hydrothermal reservoir It is estimated that the fumarolic gasses of Kusatsu-Shirane volcano are generated by a single magmatic gas with the interaction of meteoric groundwater The fumarolic gas (S) at the eastern slope has a relatively high CO2 concentration due to considerable vapor condensation The fumarolic gas (M) on the western slope contains CO2 with low concentration due to the large contribution of water vapor generated from a meteoric groundwater consistent to the high concentration of atmospheric N2 and Ar These data suggest that at Kusatsu-Shirane volcano the activation of seismicity was synchronized with the increase of magmatic components in fumarolic gas The injection would be triggered by a break of the sealing zone surrounding the degassing magma and NN sampled fumarolic gasses and analyzed them This research was supported by the Japanese Ministry of Education under grant of the Integrated Program for Next Generation Volcano Research and Human Resource Development 2016 to 2018 also under its Earthquake and Volcano Hazards Observation and Research Program 2015 to 2018 the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grant Number 15K12485 in 2015 to 2017 The University of Tokyo Joint Usage/Research Program 2015 to 2018 and the General Research Institute of Tokai University 2016 to 2018 We sincerely thank the funders for their funding support for this research the reviewers OV and DR for their efforts in reviewing and improving the quality of the manuscript Valerio Acocella for handling the editorial process A review on phreatic eruptions and their precursors CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar Google Scholar Hydrothermal processes related to movement of fluid from plastic into brittle rock in the magmatic-epithermal environment Google Scholar A simple method for the collection and analysis of volcanic gas samples CrossRef Full Text | Google Scholar “Chemical composition of volcanic gases,” in Monitoring and Mitigation of Volcano Hazards “The origin and evolution of fluids in magmatic-hydrothermal systems,” in Geochemistry of Hydrothermal Ore Deposits Google Scholar Global Volcanism Program (2013). 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This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) *Correspondence: Takeshi Ohba, dm9sY2Fuby5vaGJhQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ==; dGFrZXNoaV9vaGJhQHRva2FpLXUuanA= The facility's power generation system uses hydrogen fuel cells to power the factory The power system integrates and controls hydrogen fuel cell generators Japan – Panasonic Corporation (hereinafter referred to as Panasonic) announced its plan to begin operations at its new H2 KIBOU FIELD facility on April 15 This facility was built as a demonstration of a Panasonic renewable energy solution in which 100% of the power used for site operations is generated from renewable resources; it is part of a self-sustaining power system that combines generation from both pure hydrogen and solar sources This is the first*2 such demonstration in the world to make full-scale use of hydrogen fuel cells*3 toward a 100% renewable energy manufacturing site.Panasonic has built a large demonstration facility at its Kusatsu site in Shiga Prefecture equipped with a power generation system that combines 99 5-kW pure hydrogen fuel cell generators (495 kW) and photovoltaic generators (approx 570 kW) as well as lithium-ion storage batteries (approx The power generated by this system will fully power the fuel cell factory in Kusatsu Panasonic will continue to develop and test other technologies to optimize power supply and demand management.This integrated system will complement the on-site solar generation which requires a large installation area and can be impacted by weather conditions the integration of storage batteries enables the system to achieve a stable supply of electricity required for operations by managing the power supply from the fuel cell generators and the storage batteries the integrated control of multiple 5 kW type pure hydrogen fuel cell generators enables an ample supply of high power through a flexible layout tailored to the site’s buildings and for flexible operations by managing generation according to demand This prevents excess wear on the generators and maximizes their lifespan it makes it possible to perform maintenance without stopping factory operations.Through this demonstration Panasonic will gain real-world know-how and data as well as establish a track record in energy management and pure hydrogen fuel cell generation It will also aim to commercialize Panasonic’s RE100 solutions*1 that use renewable sources to supply 100% of the electricity required for operations.Panasonic hopes to contribute to the effort to achieve a carbon neutral society under the banner of its long-term environmental vision “Panasonic GREEN IMPACT” by proposing new options to expand the adoption of renewable energy sources to include the full-scale use of hydrogen.*3 Panasonic will operate the H2 KIBOU FIELD facility to demonstrate a RE100 solution*1 that supplies 100% of the electricity consumed for business activities on the site from renewable sources by using a self-sustaining power generation system that combines pure hydrogen fuel cell generators and photovoltaic generators.The power generated by this system will supply all power used in the manufacturing sites of the fuel cell factory in Kusatsu Panasonic will continue to develop and verify technologies relating to optimal power supply and demand management based on integrated control of the power generators and the storage batteries The energy management system developed by the company and using integrated control of the power generators and the storage batteries enables the power generation system to track and meet all of the site’s power needs based on the factory’s power demand data weather forecast data (to be supported in the future) and equipment monitoring data during operation The system also makes it possible to create power generation plans based on patterns in photovoltaic generators power output measurements optimized power supply systematically adjusting the output of the pure hydrogen fuel cell generators and using storage batteries to address excesses or shortages When multiple pure hydrogen fuel cell generators are operated under integrated control the overall time each unit spends in operation can be evened out by predicting and simulating changes in operating times for each unit to reduce variation in total operating time and minimize wear on the generators.In addition the installation of multiple 5 kW compact pure hydrogen fuel cell generators and controlling them individually allows the power generation system to operate flexibly even making it possible to perform maintenance without stopping factory operations As a means of supplying 100% of the electricity used in the factory using renewable sources Panasonic will begin the operation of this demonstration of its energy management system based on integrated control of pure hydrogen fuel cell generators and lithium-ion storage batteries on April 15 2022.Panasonic developed the pure hydrogen fuel cell generator used in the demonstration by leveraging the technologies developed for the ENE-FARM residential fuel cell cogeneration system.This fuel cell generator is compact and its power output can be scaled up to meet demand based on integrated control of multiple units It can even be installed in places like on rooftops and small spaces.The system has been installed on a surface area equivalent to the building area of Panasonic’s fuel cell factory (Kusatsu City Shiga Prefecture) to supply the electricity used in the factory in an effort to simulate the operation of the power generation system on a factory rooftop Global PR Office, Corporate PR Center, Panasonic Operational Excellence Co., Ltd.https://news.panasonic.com/global/contacts/ Kengo Kuma together with structural engineer Akira Suzuki has completed a small hotel in Gunma Prefecture’s famous Kasatsu Onsen hot springs adding architectural elements such as small stones positioned on the exterior walls of the ryokan a single-room facility known as “ryokan” which means a traditional Japanese inn or small hotel whose floors are covered with tatami The two-story facility features curved walls with dark skin and at the corner a small portion of the façade is designed with glass to allow light to enter in The designers have added a small outer staircase that leads guests to the upper floor where a cozy sleeping room takes place.  Located in the famous Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture the key material of the building is Asama stone used on the façade of the building and creates a three-dimensional landscape Asama stone is found in hot springs and the team connected the building and landscape with a three-dimensional landscape by using it on the exterior walls.  there is a restaurant that directly faces the famous hot spring fields In order to connect the interior with the local surroundings the studio applies curve geometries that resonate with the soft movement of steam rising from the hot springs and govern how we arranged the use of local materials The designers use local materials such as Asama stone terrazzo and Japanese washi paper mixed with crushed local stones which are typically used for the floor of the hot spring fields “By incorporating material and geometrical elements of Yubatake hot springs throughout the building we condensed the materiality of the historic town of Kusatsu in this small building,” said Kengo Kuma and Associates Project: Kusatsu KimurayaArchitects: Kengo Kuma & AssociatesDesign Team: Minoru Yokoo and Junlin Chen Structural Engineer: Akira Suzuki Photographers: Kawasumi-Kobayashi Kenji Photograph OfficeDrawings: Kengo Kuma and Associates Input your search keywords and press Enter You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/ Gunma Prefecture--A 13-meter-tall tree set in front of the Kusatsu onsen’s iconic “Yubatake” (hot spring field) here is being extravagantly illuminated each night with about 33,000 golden LED bulbs I really feel like it’s the beginning of winter,” said Suzuka Otani a company employee who visited the town from Tokyo along with three friends The illumination event is now in its sixth year after launching in 2018 “We would like to continue the event as an annual winter tradition,” said Shingo Naoi head of the Kusatsu's commerce and industry association Lisa’s Wanderings Around Japan/ Kusatsu hot springs: An onsen town that still conjures up memories of the good old days Hook proves a hit for commuters avoiding holding train straps Accuser retracts some sex assault claims against Kusatsu mayor You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed The Future of AI and Buddhist Teachings (Dr 60th Anniversary of Normalization of Japan-South Korea Diplomatic Relations: Pre.. Copyright © 2015- Foreign Press Center Japan following an avalanche near a ski resort northwest of Tokyo It is likely to have caused the subsequent avalanche, according to the country's Kyodo news agency The 7,090-foot volcano in Gunma prefecture is located near multiple mountains Grainy footage from the Meteorological Agency showed a plume of black smoke wafting across one of the pistes in the area One skier told state broadcaster NHK, according to Reuters: "There was this huge boom and a big plume of totally black smoke rose up I had absolutely no idea what had happened." Five other soldiers who were training with them were also injured Four people who were riding a ski lift at the nearby resort at the time were also injured the BBC reported. It wasn't clear who the other six were The roof of a rest house at the resort were also damaged by falling rocks a local fire department official told Kyodo About 80 people had been taking shelter there, and as of Tuesday afternoon were still trapped and awaiting rescue, Reuters said MAEBASHI--The Kusatsu onsen here was the surprise winner in an annual ranking of the best hot spring resorts in Japan a position it had held for 15 years since surveys by the Jalan Research Center started surveyed members of the Jalan Net travel website from Aug Respondents were asked to pick which resort they would like to visit again from 327 sites nationwide Up to five multiple answers were permitted “The ambience of the town” was cited by 74.7 percent while 59.2 percent said “efficacy and spring quality.” Hakone was ranked first among respondents in their 20s and 30s But Kusatsu was the most popular among those in their 40s through 60s an announcement by Gunma University that spring water from Kusatsu proved to be effective in inactivating the novel coronavirus contributed to its leap to the top spot The resort was also rated highly for its efforts to create an environment to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus through the installation of “Tearai no Yu” stations in the center of the area for visitors to wash their hands with hot spring water The research center said families and senior citizens clearly felt at ease staying at Kusatsu citing the opening of a lodging facility with guest rooms equipped with an outdoor spa and other benefits that was introduced for visitors from April 2020 The survey also found that Noboribetsu in Hokkaido ranked third followed by Dogo in Ehime Prefecture in fourth place and Beppu in Oita Prefecture in fifth place Oita seeks to host ‘aliens’ who will come for Virgin Orbit spaceport quarrels lead to bathing ban at outdoor onsen in Gifu Kimono-clad geisha ride along on tour buses in Aizu-Wakamatsu Onsen-steamed custard pudding in Beppu picked as best in Japan Boston professor stranded in 3/11 disaster guided by strangers VOX POPULI: Some semblance of ‘normal’ life is finally returning Shoko Arai was voted out of her seat after making allegations against mayor that most residents said damaged the town’s reputation The only female member of a town assembly in Japan has been voted out of her seat after she accused the mayor of sexual assault, in a setback for the country’s nascent #MeToo movement Shoko Arai, until Monday a councillor in Kusatsu a popular hot spring resort north-west of Tokyo lost her seat after more than 90% of residents voted to recall her saying she had damaged the town’s reputation Her plight has highlighted the male domination of local and national politics in Japan, which performs poorly in international comparisons of female representation in politics Arai claimed in an e-book published in November last year that the Kusatsu mayor had “forced her into sexual relations” in his office in 2015 kissed me and pushed [me] down on the floor” Kuroiwa has denied sexually assaulting Arai saying his office door and curtains were open on the day of the alleged incident He has filed a defamation complaint with local police Arai’s allegations triggered an angry backlash among male members of the assembly and a campaign of personal attacks against the assemblywoman who had represented her seat as an independent since 2011 Fellow councillors voted her out of office in December last year but the move was overturned by prefectural authorities who accused her of “harming the dignity” of the council then gathered enough signatures to hold a recall vote Agence France-Presse quoted a town hall spokesman as saying that of the 2,835 residents who voted describing the vote as “unjust and unreasonable” She added that she would “not be terrorised by pressure from people with power” Her former colleagues defended the decision with a representative of the lawmakers who organised the vote telling public broadcaster NHK they “want to work on restoring the damaged reputation” of Kusatsu a town of 6,200 people that attracts large numbers of tourists one of the few residents who supported Arai told the Asahi: “If someone loses their job after making a sexual assault allegation people in other workplaces will also find it difficult to raise their voices for fear of being fired.” The reaction to Arai’s allegations has refocused attention on what campaigners say is Japan’s failure to properly investigate allegations of sexual violence just 4% of women come forward with sexual assault allegations Police decided not to arrest Yamaguchi, prompting Ito to launch a civil suit, which she won late last year. Yamaguchi, who has denied the allegations, was ordered to pay Ito damages. Print Clyde Kusatsu has been elected president of SAG-AFTRA’s Los Angeles local who has had roles in such movies as “American Pie” and TV shows such as “The Young and the Restless,” was supported by the Unite for Strength group that dominates the national board He fended off a challenge from John Tremaine a group that opposed last year’s merger of the formerly separate actors unions Kusatsu will serve a two-year term as head of the largest local within the SAG-AFTRA union which represents more than 165,000 actors and other performers “I’m extremely pleased so many members expressed their support for my leadership,’’ Kusatsu said in a statement “I’m grateful for their vote of confidence and look forward to serving as president of SAG-AFTRA’s largest local I’m excited to play an even greater role in strengthening our union and I’m counting on Los Angeles members to join me in that effort.” Mike Hodges was elected for another term as president of that city’s local who had been the national co-president of SAG-AFTRA had endorsed Hodges for the post.“I want to express my sincere thanks to all the members who made their voices heard by voting in our historic first SAG-AFTRA election,” Hodges said “It was a vigorous campaign and I’m grateful that N.Y members have elected me to lead our local.” Ken Howard is reelected SAG-AFTRA president Viacom and Sony near deal for over-the-top service Hollywood marketing firm Cimarron Group to shut down Awards Entertainment & Arts Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map