By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network Editorial Team
The popular Japanese movie Roman Baths II, released in May featuring Japanese stars Hiroshi Abe and Ayaka Uchida, sparked heated discussions. The film features many distinctive hot spring scenes that have also become must-visit attractions for fans. Next time you soak in a hot spring in Japan, don’t miss the iconic settings from the classic movie.
The popular Japanese movie Roman Baths II, released in May featuring Japanese stars Hiroshi Abe and Ayaka Uchida, sparked heated discussions. The film features many distinctive hot spring scenes that have also become must-visit attractions for fans. Next time you soak in a hot spring in Japan, don’t miss the iconic settings from the classic movie.
The main filming locations of Roman Baths II, starring Hiroshi Abe and Ayaka Uchida, have garnered significant attention. (Image provided by ifilm Interactive Film)
First up is the uniquely charming hot spring town—Kusatsu Onsen
"Yu-Neru" (hot spring mixing) is a Kusatsu specialty that every visitor should know about. (Image provided by ifilm Interactive Film)
In the film, when Hiroshi Abe's character arrives in modern-day Japan, he emerges from a hot spring only to be sandwiched between wooden boards, leaving a lasting impression on audiences. This is a unique hot spring culture in Kusatsu where hot water is cooled slightly by stirring it with wooden planks, known as "yu-neru" or "Kusatsu specialty." Every day at "Atsui-no-Yu," yu-neru performances are held where visitors can join in, humming the Kusatsu Festival tune and trying their hand at mixing the hot springs with wooden boards. Participants are even awarded a "Yu-neru Certificate" as encouragement, making for a truly unique hot spring experience. The hot springs in the Kusatsu area contain sulfur salt, sulfate, and chloride minerals, and are known for relieving neuralgia, muscle pain, arthritis, frozen shoulder, and more. They also offer benefits for chronic digestive diseases, chronic skin conditions, arteriosclerosis, cuts, burns, and chronic gynecological issues.
The large "Yubatake" in Roman Baths II not only served as the inspiration for Luxus (Hiroshi Abe’s character), but also left a deep impression on viewers. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
The misty scene of the "Yubatake" has a particularly strong hot spring town atmosphere. (Image provided by ifilm Interactive Film)
The "Yubatake," which inspired Hiroshi Abe’s character to build a grand hot spring town, is also located in the main street of Kusatsu Onsen. The center of the hot spring town is the expansive Yubatake, which in Japanese means "hot spring field" or simply "hot spring field." Both Hiroshi Abe and Ayaka Uchida were shown walking and talking along the Yubatake. Whether in the bright daylight or the misty night view, these scenes became highly memorable moments in the film.
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