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Minami Matogahama Onsen

Water profile

Minami Matogahama Onsen

Spring chemistry and what it does, with the research behind it.

BicarbonateSodium-Magnesium Bicarbonate spring

A sodium- and magnesium-led bicarbonate spring — soft, skin-smoothing water of the jūsō-sen (soda) style, sitting squarely in Japan's beauty-water family. Metasilicic acid is strikingly abundant at 270.7 mg/kg, leaving the thin silica film that makes skin feel noticeably smoother after the bath. The posted indications back up the skin story: cuts, burns and chronic skin conditions are listed alongside the usual recovery and circulation items. The poster also notes the source holds no drinking permit — this is bathing-only water.

Good for

Smooth skin

Bicarbonate and alkalinity gently lift dead keratin while silica hydrates, leaving skin smooth. This is the basis of the beautifying-water (bijin-no-yu 美人の湯) reputation.

dry, rough skin

Recovery

Warmth and buoyancy lower stress markers and improve sleep; habitual bathing is linked to lower rates of depression.

fatigue, stress

On the certificate:ConvalescenceFatigue recoveryGeneral health improvement

Take care

Contraindications
  • Acute illness (especially with fever)
  • Active tuberculosis
  • Malignant tumor
  • Severe heart disease
  • Respiratory failure
  • Renal failure
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Severe anemia
  • Any other illness in an actively progressing stage
  • Pregnancy (especially early and late stages)

Full composition

The bar is each ion's share of charge (mval%) within its group; over 20% names the spring. Gases, silica and trace metals are measured by mass only.

Cationsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Sodium284mgP60 national
  • Magnesium47.7mgP85 national
  • Calcium43.7mgP55 national
  • Potassium21.1mgP65 national
  • Lithium1.4mgP86 national
  • Iron (II)0.70mgP58 national
  • Strontium0.30mgP55 national
  • Ammonium0.10mgP24 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Bicarbonate959mgP90 national
  • Chloride101mgP40 national
  • Sulfate64.7mgP45 national
  • Hydrogen phosphate0.40mgP69 national
  • Fluoride0.20mgP17 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid271mgP96 national
  • Metaboric acid6.9mgP45 national
  • Metaarsenious acid0.20mgP70 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide30.8mgP62 national
  • Free hydrogen sulfide< —mg

Measured at the source

Free CO₂
31mg/kg
Low

On the certificate

  • Neuralgia
  • Muscle pain
  • Joint pain
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Motor paralysis
  • Joint stiffness
  • Bruises
  • Sprains
  • Chronic digestive disorders
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Cold sensitivity
  • Cuts
  • Burns
  • Chronic skin diseases

Evidence

  1. Maeda M. 温泉の医学的効果とその科学的根拠. J. Hot Spring Science 70:197–207, 2021.
  2. Naito Y et al. A Hot-Spring Water Improves Inflammatory Conditions in an Atopic Dermatitis Model. Biomedicines 13(11):2707, 2025.
  3. Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
  4. Takeda M et al. Hot spring bathing practices have a positive effect on mental health in Japan. Heliyon 9(9):e19631, 2023.

Educational, not medical advice. If you have a health condition, consult a physician before onsen therapy.