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Yuasa Castle Onsen Hotel

Water profile

Yuasa Castle Onsen Hotel

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

SimpleSodium Bicarbonate spring

A weakly alkaline cold-mineral spring (21.7 C source, pH 8.8) with a faint hydrogen sulfide note at the wellhead. Total dissolved solids sit just below 1 g/kg, so the certificate does not classify it as a therapeutic spring, but the alkaline chemistry still gives the water the soft, slippery hand of the classic Japanese beauty-water family. Because the source is below 25 C the bath is reheated, and it is also diluted, recirculated and chlorine-disinfected before reaching the tub.

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

Take care

Contraindications
  • 病気の活動期(特に熱のあるとき)
  • Active tuberculosis
  • 進行した悪性腫瘍又は高度の貧血など身体衰弱の著しい場合
  • 少し動くと息苦しくなるような重い心臓又は肺の病気
  • むくみのあるような重い腎臓の病気
  • 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%)
  • Sodium283mgP60 national
  • Calcium1.7mgP6 national
  • Potassium1.0mgP14 national
  • Aluminum< —mg
  • Iron (II)< —mg
  • Hydrogen< —mg
  • Magnesium< —mg
  • Manganese< —mg
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Bicarbonate621mgP80 national
  • Carbonate39.0mgP88 national
  • Fluoride6.2mgP82 national
  • Chloride8.9mgP12 national
  • Sulfate7.8mgP19 national
  • Hydrogen sulfide0.90mgP69 national
  • Hydroxide0.10mgP50 national
  • BO2< —mg
  • HSiO3< —mg
  • Thiosulfate< —mg
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid17.0mgP3 national
  • Metaboric acid7.2mgP47 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide1.3mgP19 national
  • Free hydrogen sulfide< —mg
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Arsenic< —mg
  • Cadmium< —mg
  • Copper< —mg
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

pH
8.80
Alkaline
Source temperature
21.7°C
Cold mineral
Tonicity
0.99g/kg
Hypotonic
Flow rate
215L/min
Typical
Free CO₂
1.30mg/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.

How the water is handled

Water treatment

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

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