Kanaya Ryokan Senninburo

Water profile

Kanaya Ryokan Senninburo

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

Simple

A simple thermal spring blended from two sources (Kawachi No.5 and Kanaya Onsen). Hypotonic and weakly alkaline, it has a soft, gentle feel on the skin and sits in the Japanese beauty-water family. The wellhead runs lukewarm at 36.2 °C, so it is reheated for bathing; with no dilution, recirculation, or disinfection, it stays an undemanding, lightly mineralized soak.

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

On the certificate:Autonomic nervous instabilityRecovery period after illnessRecovery from fatigueHealth promotion

Take care

Contraindications
  • Active phase of illness (especially when feverish)
  • Active tuberculosis
  • Advanced malignant tumors or severe anemia and other cases of marked physical debilitation
  • Serious heart or lung disease, such as becoming short of breath on slight exertion
  • Severe kidney disease accompanied by edema
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding
  • When there is visible bleeding
  • Acute illness, or the acute exacerbation phase of a chronic disease

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%)
  • Sodium54.2mgP15 national
  • Calcium16.7mgP36 national
  • Potassium3.6mgP30 national
  • Magnesium0.40mgP19 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Bicarbonate71.2mgP34 national
  • Sulfate58.5mgP46 national
  • Chloride30.0mgP22 national
  • Carbonate1.2mgP20 national
  • Fluoride0.40mgP33 national
  • Hydroxide0.0070mgP23 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid47.5mgP28 national
  • Metaboric acid0.20mgP6 national
  • Metaarsenious acid0.0090mgP31 national
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Cadmium< —mg
  • Copper< —mg
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

Source temperature
36.2°C
Warm
Tonicity
0.28g/kg
Hypotonic

On the certificate

  • Chronic pain or stiffness of muscles or joints (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, neuralgia, frozen shoulder, bruises, sprains in the chronic phase)
  • Muscle stiffness associated with motor paralysis
  • Sensitivity to cold
  • Peripheral circulatory disturbance
  • Reduced gastrointestinal function (heaviness in the stomach, intestinal gas, etc.)
  • Mild hypertension
  • Impaired glucose tolerance (diabetes)
  • Mild hypercholesterolemia
  • Mild asthma or emphysema
  • Hemorrhoid pain
  • Various stress-related symptoms (sleep disorders, depressive states, etc.)

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

Pure source water· 源泉かけ流し (gensen kakenagashi)
from Article 18 disclosure
  • Added water
    No
  • Reheated
    Yes
  • Recirculated
    No
  • Disinfected
    No
  • Bath additives
    No

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