Article by / MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel Life Network Editorial Department

The popular Japanese movie *Roman Baths II*, which premiered in May with Japanese stars Abe Hiroshi and Ueto Aya, sparked a wave of discussion. The film features numerous distinctive hot spring scenes that have also become attractions of interest for fans. Next time you soak in a hot spring in Japan, don't miss the scenes from the classic plot.

First up is the uniquely charming hot spring town—Kusatsu Onsen

In the movie, when Abe Hiroshi travels to modern-day Japan, he emerges from a hot spring only to be sandwiched by wooden boards, leaving a deep impression on audiences. This is a unique aspect of Kusatsu Onsen’s hot spring culture. By stirring the hot water with wooden planks to slightly cool it down, it's called "yu-nuki," also known as a "Kusatsu specialty." Every day at "Atsui-no-Yu," yu-nuki performances take place. Visitors can join in, humming the Kusatsu Festival tune, holding wooden boards, and trying their hand at yu-nuki. Afterward, they are even awarded a "Yu-nuki Certificate" as encouragement, giving them a truly unique hot spring experience. The hot springs in the Kusatsu area contain sulfur salt, sulfate, and chloride springs, known for their benefits in relieving neuralgia, muscle soreness, arthritis, frozen shoulder, and more. They are also helpful for chronic digestive organ diseases, chronic skin conditions, arteriosclerosis, knife wounds, burns, and chronic gynecological issues.