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Teruyu Onsen

Water profile

Teruyu Onsen

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

SimpleSodium Chloride-Bicarbonate-Sulfate spring

A simple thermal spring that emerges at 98.1 °C — among Japan's hottest natural sources. The water itself is very lightly mineralized, at just 99 mg/kg of dissolved solids, and close to neutral at pH 6.5, so it is gentle on the body rather than assertive. Because the wellhead runs so hot, the posted notice states the bath is diluted with water, reaching the bathing point at around 53 °C. The panel lists the water for neuralgia, muscle and joint pain, cold sensitivity and fatigue recovery, and flags that drinking is not permitted without a separate license.

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

On the certificate:NeuralgiaMuscle painJoint painFrozen shoulderMotor paralysisJoint stiffnessBruisesSprains

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 the 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%)
  • Sodium14.7mgP3 national
  • Calcium3.5mgP13 national
  • Ammonium1.5mgP73 national
  • Potassium2.1mgP23 national
  • Magnesium0.50mgP20 national
  • Iron (II)0.10mgP30 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Chloride16.0mgP16 national
  • Bicarbonate24.0mgP14 national
  • Sulfate10.0mgP21 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metaboric acid25.9mgP78 national
  • Metasilicic acid0.90mgP1 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide14.1mgP46 national

Measured at the source

Source temperature
98.1°C
Hot
Tonicity
0.10g/kg
Hypotonic
Free CO₂
14mg/kg
Low

On the certificate

  • Chronic digestive disorders
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Cold sensitivity

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. Donaubauer AJ et al. Serial radon spa therapy on pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024.
  3. Verhagen AP et al. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD000518, 2015.
  4. 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

Treated and recirculated(partial disclosure)
from Article 18 disclosure
  • Added water
    Yes
  • Reheated
    Not disclosed
  • Recirculated
    Not disclosed
  • Disinfected
    Not disclosed
  • Bath additives
    Not disclosed

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