This omiyage kokeshi doll comes from Kusatsu Onsen (草津温泉), one of Japan’s most renowned hot spring resorts nestled in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture. Handcrafted from shirakaba (白樺), or white birch wood, the doll’s natural grain and bark have been carefully preserved to highlight the raw beauty of the material. Its slender body features a tranquil painted scene of a mountainous landscape and lush greenery, evoking the serene atmosphere of Kusatsu’s alpine surroundings. The back is inscribed with the name 草津, reinforcing its place of origin.
The doll's face is painted in a classic style with delicate features and bright red accents around the cheeks and ears, adding a playful yet nostalgic touch. The head is proportionally larger, a hallmark of many souvenir kokeshi, and paired with a black and white collar motif. This kokeshi not only serves as a charming memento of a trip to Kusatsu, but also captures the spirit of traditional craftsmanship and the therapeutic beauty of Japan’s onsen culture.
