Kakuto Onsen

Water profile

Kakuto Onsen

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

SimpleSodium Bicarbonate-Sulfate spring

A gentle simple thermal spring rising in Ebino, neutral and hypotonic, with only about 376 mg/kg of dissolved solids — lightly mineralized and easy on the body. What lifts it above ordinary simple water is a generous 124 mg/kg of metasilicic acid, which leaves the kind of thin silica film that puts it in Japan's beauty-water family.

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

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%)
  • Sodium60.7mgP16 national
  • Calcium5.6mgP19 national
  • Potassium5.5mgP37 national
  • Magnesium1.2mgP28 national
  • Ammonium1.3mgP68 national
  • Lithium0.20mgP39 national
  • Iron (II)0.20mgP41 national
  • Manganese0.10mgP39 national
  • Barium0.02mgP30 national
  • Strontium0.02mgP11 national
  • Aluminum0.01mgP19 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Bicarbonate134mgP46 national
  • Sulfate35.1mgP39 national
  • Chloride6.4mgP9 national
  • Fluoride0.30mgP25 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid124mgP65 national
  • Metaboric acid1.0mgP12 national
  • Metaarsenious acidmg
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide4.4mgP27 national

Measured at the source

pH
7.10
Neutral
Source temperature
38.2°C
Warm
Tonicity
0.38g/kg
Hypotonic
Flow rate
63L/min
Typical
Free CO₂
4.40mg/kg
Low
Radon
14Bq/kg
Low

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.