Yubatake Hot Springs - Kusatsu Onsen, Japan (Cam 2)

Clouds of steam drift across the square at the Yubatake (湯畑), the famous hot spring field at the center of Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉), high in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture.

Around 4,000 liters (about 1,000 gallons) of spring water rise here every minute. It runs down long wooden channels that cool it before it reaches the town's baths, then tumbles over a small waterfall in a cloud of mist.

Kusatsu is one of Japan's best-known hot spring towns, and small free public baths are dotted around its streets. After dark the whole field is lit up and visitors in robes and wooden sandals wander along the railings, and in winter, snow settles all around the steaming water.

Did You Know? Kusatsu's spring water is strongly acidic, with a pH of around 2 - close to lemon juice.

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