Located 10 minutes on foot from Yubatake in Kusatsu Onsen, once you pass the Sainokawara Street with souvenir shops and the like you will come to a place where steam rises over amazing volcanic rocks. At one time known as “the demon’s fountain,” it was feared because it was thought to be the boiling water gushing forth from the teakettle of a demon. Nowadays, a stone path has been laid down to create a promenade and it has been turned into a park.
The hot water that spurts out from the various gaps in the rock form a flowing hot spring river. Along the river you can see various hot spring ponds colored emerald green, such as “the Pond of Good Omens” and “the Pond of Amber,” and appreciate the desolate scenery. The path is dotted with stone tablets commemorating great figures such as Dr. Erwin Bälz, who spread word of Kusatsu around the world, as well as the tanka poet Mokichi Saito and the haiku poet Shuoshi Mizuhara. After walking through the park for a while, you will come upon the Sainokawara rotenburo (outdoor bathing facility).
The rotenburo here is renowned as the most spacious in Kusatsu. As you sit back and let the hot water soak over you, you can appreciate the seasonal beauty, from the new green of summer, to the crisp autumn leaves, to the glistening white snow. A pleasant stroll in this area is the perfect way to experience Kusatsu!