Yubatake(湯畑) is the core of Kusatsu Onsen(草津溫泉), it is also the most important scenic spot of Kusatsu Onsen, the locals still use their traditional way to cool down the water of hot spring, such tradition has been lasting for a thousand years, which consists a special cultural landscape.
Literally, Yubatake means 'Fields of hot spring' in Japanese, its appearance is a wooden lattice made of wooden plank and wooden bars, looks similar as a field, which is quite interesting.
The water temperature of Kusatsu Onsen reaches 65 degree Celsius, which is impossible for bathing directly, so Yubatake can channel the hot water and cool it down above the ground, make the water temperature lower to the level for bathing.
There are several footbaths around Yubatake, which are free for tourists, but those footbaths are always crowded in cold weather. A tip, if you want to enjoy the footbath, just bring your own towel.
At night, Yubatake and the surrounding buildings will light up, colorful and romantic, the scenery looks totally different from the daytime, you shouldn’t miss it.
The shopping street around Yubatake still looks old-fashioned, which is similar to Okane(箱根), but less commercial and vulgar. In winter, most of the shops in the shopping street will close around six o'clock, if you want to shop, go earlier.
