An alkaline simple thermal spring, drawn from Gero Onsen's centrally managed supply and delivered through the distribution pump station named in the source itself. At pH 9.1 the water is soft and slippery on the skin, squarely in Japan's beauty-water family, while a light 374 mg/kg of dissolved solids keeps it gentle and low-irritation. Metasilicic acid at 59.7 mg/kg adds the thin silica film that leaves skin noticeably smoother afterwards. The posted table lists this spring type as documented for autonomic nervous system instability, insomnia and depressed mood.
Good for
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
Recovery
Warmth and buoyancy lower stress markers and improve sleep; habitual bathing is linked to lower rates of depression.
fatigue, stress
Take care
From a certificate analyzed in 2018.
- Active stage of any illness (especially with fever)
- Marked physical debilitation such as active tuberculosis, advanced malignant tumor or severe anemia
- Severe heart or lung disease causing breathlessness on slight exertion
- Gastrointestinal bleeding or any visible bleeding
- Acute exacerbation of a chronic illness
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.
- Sodiumsalt's cation — pairs with chloride to make the water saltyNa⁺110mgP32 national95%
- Calciumsettling and calming; can leave a white mineral bloomCa²⁺4.3mgP16 national4%
- PotassiumK⁺1.9mgP22 national1.0%
- Aluminumshows up in acidic volcanic waterAl³⁺0.09mgP39 national
- FeTotalFe< —mg
- Magnesiummild; a laxative if you drink itMg²⁺< —mg
- Manganesetrace; companion to iron springsMn²⁺< —mg
- Chloridetable-salt anion — coats the skin and holds heat inCl⁻105mgP42 national56%
- Carbonatestrongly alkaline; slippery feelCO₃²⁻26.0mgP80 national17%
- Bicarbonate"soda" — softens skin, leaves it smoothHCO₃⁻37.5mgP24 national12%
- Fluoridetrace; drinking limits applyF⁻10.1mgP90 national10%
- Sulfate"gypsum / Glauber's salt" — vessels and wound healingSO₄²⁻12.7mgP26 national5%
- Hydrogen sulfideHS⁻0.70mgP62 national0.4%
- NitrateNO₃⁻0.20mgP42 national0.0%
- Metasilicic acidmetasilicic acid — a natural moisturizer for silky skinH₂SiO₃59.7mgP36 national
- Metaboric acidmetaboric acid — mildly antibacterialHBO₂6.1mgP41 national
- Metaarsenious acidHAsO₂0.10mgP53 national
- Free carbon dioxidefizz — widens blood vessels (strong above 1000 mg/kg)CO₂< —mg
- Free hydrogen sulfide"egg" smell — opens vessels, antibacterialH₂S< —mg
Measured at the source
On the certificate
From a certificate analyzed in 2018.
- Chronic muscle or joint pain and stiffness (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, neuralgia, frozen shoulder, bruises, sprains — chronic phase)
- Cold sensitivity and peripheral circulation disorders
- Reduced gastrointestinal function (heaviness, bloating)
- Mild hypertension
- Impaired glucose tolerance (diabetes)
- Mild hypercholesterolemia
- Mild asthma or emphysema
- Hemorrhoid pain
Evidence
- 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.
- Naito Y et al. A Hot-Spring Water Improves Inflammatory Conditions in an Atopic Dermatitis Model. Biomedicines 13(11):2707, 2025.
- Donaubauer AJ et al. Serial radon spa therapy on pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024.
- Verhagen AP et al. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD000518, 2015.
- Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
- Takeda M et al. Hot spring bathing practices have a positive effect on mental health in Japan. Heliyon 9(9):e19631, 2023.