If you visit Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma, be sure to see the Yumomi Performance 湯もみ at the Netsunoyu Bath House directly across from the yubatake where hot spring water gushes from the ground. Schedules vary per season, but about 3 to 6 times per day, women perform a traditional dance and folk song as they cool the water with large wooden paddles.
Yumomi Performance 湯もみ in Kusatsu Onsen
The water was so hot (around 50 degrees C) back in the day that they had ladies stir it like this to bring the water down to a reasonable temperature.
This unusual show is an interesting piece of local color. Be sure to take a look at the beautiful stained glass windows in the doorway depicting the classic scene. It costs 500 yen for adults or 250 yen for children to attend.
The website is in Japanese but has a video and photographs. Click the bottom option on the left hand side bar menu for a pop-up window with a discount coupon: http://www.kusatsu-onsen.ne.jp/netsunoyu/index.html
