MUSE SEE performance in Kusatsu Onsen; Yumomi (water stirring)

Muscle density 120%! Look at their sixpacks

Kusatsu Onsen’s Netsunoyu Bath House boasts great hot spring quality. Stirring Kusatsu’s hot water with large wooden paddles to cool it down has been turned into an everyday show.

Usually the performers are women dressed in kimono, but twice a month there are special shows with fresh-faced young men. They’re called “yumomi-kun” and their popularity in Kusatsu Onsen has risen rapidly!

Actually, those guys are players in the local soccer team Thespakusatsu Challengers who have an ambition to take part in the J League. All of them have well-trained handsome bodies. Sixpacks, hot chests… but also fresh faces resulting in an interesting combination. Those of you who’ve had enough of seeing beer-bellied men around should definitely take a look at the yumomi-kun guys!

Netsunoyu Bath House features in the movie Thermae Romae II

Yumomi-kun’s show takes place in Netsunoyu Bath House which is just across Kusatsu Onsen’s famous Yubatake hot water field. Netsunoyu Bath House was one of the locations featured in the movie Thermae Romae II, released in April 2014. The scene where Lucius gets transported in a time slip from Ancient Rome to present Japan has been shot there. The yumomi show which Lucius witnesses in the movie is the exact same show taking place in Netsunoyu Bath House every day. There are plans for a renewal of Netsunoyu Bath House starting from the autumn of 2014 until April 2015. Looking forward to seeing the newly open place.

The show starts with yumomi-kun dressed in Japanese yellow happi coats

The show starts with 10 young men dressed in yellow happi coats (a Japanese workman’s coat). The guys sing a local folk song and stir the hot water with large wooden paddles (around 180 cm each). This performance is also called “male stirring” and is slightly different than the usual female one. There is more energy involved and you can hear the men yelling to encourage each other!

Yumomi-kun’s special performance at Netsunoyu Bath House is very popular. It is recommended that you arrive early in order to secure a closer seat. The show starts about 15 minutes after the audience enters, but you will need to be there 30 minutes earlier to get a better seat. There are seats on the two floors of Netsunoyu Bath House, though I recommend the first-floor seats as they are closer to the yumomi-kun performers.

Stir together with yumomi-kun! Audience participation

Taking part in the yumomi stirring performance together with the young men will be an unforgettable memory from your trip to Kusatsu Onsen.

About 20 people from the audience can take part. This is a great chance to learn how to do yumomi stirring directly from the yumomi-kun guys. Be quick to raise your hand when they ask “Who wants to stir together with us?”. You can give your photo camera to the staff and get a photo of you stirring the hot water. At the end there is even a small award given, so that your participation turns into a memorable experience.

The hot water splashes made by the powerful stirring are a must-see!

In the latter part of the show, yumomi-kun take off their happi coats. The audience gets instantly excited upon seeing their well-trained muscly bodies!

The climax of the show is when the guys start stirring vehemently. The wooden paddles go up and down, creating large water splashes and a loud noise. This powerful performance can only be seen in the male stirring show! Enjoy fully the view of the water splashes flying around.