Kusatsu, Gunma
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Kusatsu 草津町 |
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Yubatake hot spring in the center of Kusatsu
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 Location of Kusatsu in Gunma Prefecture |
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 Kusatsu
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| Coordinates: 36°37′14.5″N 138°35′45.9″E / 36.620694°N 138.596083°ECoordinates: 36°37′14.5″N 138°35′45.9″E / 36.620694°N 138.596083°E | |||
| Country | Japan | ||
| Region | Kantō | ||
| Prefecture | Gunma Prefecture | ||
| District | Agatsuma | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 49.75 km2 (19.21 sq mi) | ||
| Population (February 2015) | |||
| • Total | 6,537 | ||
| • Density | 131/km2 (340/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | ||
| - Flower | Rhododendron subg. Hymenanthes | ||
| Phone number | 0279-88-0001 | ||
| Address | 28 Kusatsu, Kusatsu-machi, Agatsuma-gun, Gunma-ken 377-1792 | ||
| Website | Official website | ||
Kusatsu (草津町 Kusatsu-machi?) is a town located in Agatsuma District of far western Gunma Prefecture in the northern Kantō region of Japan. As of February 2015, the town had an estimated population of 6,537 and a population density of 131 persons per km². Its total area was 49.75 km². Kusatsu is one of the most famous hot springs resorts in Japan,
Kusatsu is situated about 1,200 meters above sea level. The active volcano Kusatsu-Shirane (2,160 m) and the inactive Mount Tengu (1,385 m) and Mount Motoshirane (2,171 m) are located west of Kusatsu.
Due to the altitude Kusatsu's annual average temperature is 7 °C, with a maximum temperature of around 30 °C during summer and a minimum temperature of -14 °C in winter. The main rainy season is from June to September. During the winter season the streets are kept free of snow using onsen water.
The legendary origin of Kusatsu goes back to the second century during the Yayoi period. According to the legend, either Yamato Takeru or Yamabushi discovered the hot springs around Kusatsu; however, there is no historical evidence for either claim. Per legend, Yamato Takeru named Tsumagoi and Agatsuma after his wife ("tsuma" means "wife" in Japanese).
Up to the 12th century there is no specific record of Kusatsu. Local folklore recounts that Minamoto Yoritomo came to Kusatsu in 1193 in pursuit of fleeing Taira clan warriors. He then bathed in the Yubatake. The Gozaishi (御座石?, illustrious seat, royal seat) on which Yoritomo sat, and the Yoritomo-gū (頼朝宮?, Yoritomo Palace) in which he is said to have bathed, still exist. Kusatsu's history began in 1200 when the temple of Kōsenji was founded.
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