Okutsu [Hot Spring] - Okutsu

...Located in the mountainous area upstream of the Yoshii River, the valley is entirely covered with forests, with only rice paddies at the bottom. The mountains were once used for cattle grazing, but today reforestation is underway. Okutsu Onsen (simple spring water, 40-43°C) has been known since ancient times as one of the Mimasaka Three Hot Springs, along with Yubara and Yugo. The custom of women washing their clothes by stomping their feet to the tune of Okutsu Ondo music has become a local specialty.

*Some of the terminology explanations that mention "Okutsuka [Hot Spring]" are listed below.

Source | Heibonsha World Encyclopedia 2nd Edition | Information

…吉井川上流の山間地に位置し，谷底に水田があるほかはすべて山林で，かつては山地を牛の放牧地に利用したが，今日では植林が進んでいる。奥津温泉(単純泉，40～43℃)は湯原，湯郷（ゆのごう）とともに古代から美作三湯（みまさかさんとう）として知られる。女性が《奥津音頭》に合わせて足踏み洗濯をする風習があり名物になっている。…

※「奥津[温泉]」について言及している用語解説の一部を掲載しています。

出典｜株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典 第２版について | 情報