2025: Yubatake, Kusatsu Onsen

This drawing captures the Yubatake—the “hot water field” at the centre of Kusatsu Onsen. It’s not a bathing area but a key part of the town’s hot spring system. The steaming, mineral-rich water flows from underground at around 70°C and is channelled through wooden structures to cool naturally before being distributed to the various bathhouses .

I was drawn to the shapes of the wooden channels, the rising steam, and the surrounding buildings. The marks in this drawing are layered and textured, reflecting the mix of natural and man-made elements. The sulphuric smell in the air added to the atmosphere. It was a fascinating place to sit and sketch, observing the heart of the town’s onsen culture.

Each print is the same size as the original sketchbook page. You can choose whether to include the sketchbook seam or not when ordering. Larger prints (25 x 21 cm) are £35, and smaller ones (23 x 12 cm or 17 x 14 cm) are £30. All prints are made on archival-quality Hahnemühle Fine Art paper.