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Mion Nakasato

Water profile

Mion Nakasato

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

ChlorideSodium Chloride-Bicarbonate spring · +Bicarbonate

A sodium-led chloride-bicarbonate hot spring (46.9 °C at the wellhead). Weakly alkaline and soft on the skin, it sits in the Japanese 'beauty-water' family, with the bicarbonate side adding a touch of soda-water smoothness to the salty chloride base. Metasilicic acid at 78.8 mg/kg leaves the kind of thin silica film that makes skin feel noticeably softer afterwards.

Good for

Warming

Salt forms a film on the skin that slows heat loss, so the warmth lingers long after the bath (the classic heat-keeping water, nettō 熱の湯).

cold sensitivity

On the certificate:Cold sensitivityCold sensitivity

Aches & joints

Warmth eases stiffness and raises the pain threshold. Radon and sulfate springs show the strongest evidence for joint and muscle pain.

stiff shoulders

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

On the certificate:Dry skin

Cuts

Mineral-rich chloride, sulfate and sulfur waters have a long-recorded soothing effect on minor cuts and slow-healing skin.

minor wounds

On the certificate:Cuts

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 improvementDepressed mood

Take care

Contraindications
  • 病気の活動期(特に熱のあるとき)
  • 活動性の結核、進行した悪性腫瘍または高度の貧血など全身衰弱の著しい場合
  • 少し動くと息苦しくなるような重い心臓または肺の病気、むくみのあるような腎臓の病気
  • 消化管出血、目に見える出血があるとき
  • 慢性の病気の急性増悪期

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%)
  • Sodium314mgP63 national
  • Calcium16.5mgP35 national
  • Ammonium2.0mgP81 national
  • Potassium3.4mgP28 national
  • Magnesium0.70mgP23 national
  • Iron (II)mg
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Chloride283mgP62 national
  • Bicarbonate330mgP67 national
  • Carbonate9.0mgP47 national
  • Fluoride1.1mgP49 national
  • Bromide1.3mgP65 national
  • Sulfate0.80mgP6 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid78.8mgP47 national
  • Metaboric acid2.9mgP24 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide1.5mgP20 national
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Arsenic< —mg
  • Cadmium< —mg
  • Chromium< —mg
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

Source temperature
46.9°C
Hot
Tonicity
1.04g/kg
Hypotonic
Flow rate
120L/min
Typical
Free CO₂
1.50mg/kg
Low

On the certificate

  • 筋肉若しくは関節の慢性的な痛みまたはこわばり(関節リウマチ、変形性関節症、腰痛症、神経痛、五十肩、打撲、捻挫などの慢性期)
  • 運動麻痺における筋のこわばり
  • Peripheral circulation disorders
  • 胃腸機能の低下(胃もたれ、腸にガスがたまるなど)
  • Mild hypertension
  • 耐糖能異常
  • Mild hypercholesterolemia
  • Mild asthma or emphysema
  • Hemorrhoid pain
  • 自律神経不安定症、ストレスによる諸症状(睡眠障害、うつ状態など)
  • Peripheral circulation disorders

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. Kario K et al. Hemodynamic Effects of Hot Spring Bathing. Hypertension Research 46(3):711–720, 2023.
  3. Naito Y et al. A Hot-Spring Water Improves Inflammatory Conditions in an Atopic Dermatitis Model. Biomedicines 13(11):2707, 2025.
  4. Donaubauer AJ et al. Serial radon spa therapy on pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024.
  5. Verhagen AP et al. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD000518, 2015.
  6. Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
  7. Takeda M et al. Hot spring bathing practices have a positive effect on mental health in Japan. Heliyon 9(9):e19631, 2023.

How the water is handled

Water treatment

Not disclosed
from Article 18 disclosure
  • Added water
    No
  • Reheated
    Yes
  • Recirculated
    Not disclosed
  • Disinfected
    Yes
    次亜塩素酸ナトリウム水溶液(塩素系)
  • Bath additives
    No

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