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Himenoyu

Water profile

Himenoyu

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

Simple

An alkaline simple thermal spring drawn at a hot 51.7 °C with a markedly alkaline pH of 9.1. The water is hypotonic and gentle on the body, with the slippery beauty-water feel that strong alkalinity gives. Metasilicic acid is generous at 121 mg/kg, leaving the kind of silica film that makes skin feel noticeably smoother afterward. Sourced from the Hakone Ohiradai cooperative blend (Onsenmura wells No. 87, 91, 115) and cooled to a 43–44 °C soaking range.

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

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%)
  • Sodium255mgP57 national
  • Calcium23.5mgP42 national
  • Potassium15.5mgP54 national
  • Magnesium1.7mgP31 national
  • Lithium0.28mgP40 national
  • Strontium0.10mgP26 national
  • Manganese0.04mgP20 national
  • Aluminum0.01mgP19 national
  • Iron (II)0.01mgP12 national
  • Ammonium0.0000mg
  • Zinc0.0000mg
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Chloride352mgP69 national
  • Bicarbonate56.3mgP30 national
  • Sulfate35.2mgP36 national
  • HSiO330.1mgP69 national
  • BO28.6mgP88 national
  • Carbonate5.4mgP36 national
  • Bromide2.2mgP71 national
  • Nitrate0.84mgP70 national
  • Fluoride0.40mgP31 national
  • Hydroxide0.21mgP67 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid121mgP62 national
  • Metaboric acid11.1mgP59 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide0.07mgP10 national
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Arsenic0.31mgP88 national
  • Cadmium0.0000mg
  • Copper0.0000mg
  • Mercury0.0000mg
  • Lead0.0000mg

Measured at the source

Source temperature
51.7°C
Hot
Tonicity
0.92g/kg
Hypotonic
Free CO₂
0.07mg/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. Donaubauer AJ et al. Serial radon spa therapy on pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024.
  4. Verhagen AP et al. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD000518, 2015.
  5. Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
  6. 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
    Yes
  • Recirculated
    Yes
  • Disinfected
    Not disclosed
  • Bath additives
    Not disclosed

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