Ebisuya Onsen

Water profile

Ebisuya Onsen

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

SulfurCalcium-Sodium-Magnesium Bicarbonate-Sulfate spring

A simple sulfur spring fed by the Ebisuya Ryokan Spring No.2 well. It carries a strong rotten-egg note of hydrogen sulfide and, at the bath inlet, the water is faintly colored and slightly turbid — the cloudy-water family. The chemistry is neutral and hypotonic with light mineralization (185 mg/kg dissolved solids), so the soak itself is gentle, while the sulfur character persists to the bath. The posted bathing indications include chronic skin conditions and chronic women's ailments.

Good for

Skin conditions

Sulfur and acidic waters are antibacterial and keratolytic, studied for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

atopic skin, eczema

On the certificate:chronic skin conditions

Circulation

Skin-absorbed CO₂ and hydrogen sulfide relax the vessel walls; carbon-dioxide springs can raise peripheral blood flow several-fold.

tired legs

On the certificate:chronic women's ailmentshemorrhoids

Cuts

Mineral-rich chloride, sulfate and sulfur waters have a long-recorded soothing effect on minor cuts and slow-healing skin.

minor wounds

On the certificate:cuts

Recovery

Warmth and buoyancy lower stress markers and improve sleep; habitual bathing is linked to lower rates of depression.

fatigue, stress

On the certificate:convalescencerecovery from fatiguehealth promotion

Take care

Sensitive-skin caution

Strongly acidic or sulfur-rich water can sting broken, atopic-flare, or dry elderly skin. Ease in slowly and rinse off if it stings.

broken or dry skin

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%)
  • Calcium9.3mgP25 national
  • Sodium8.6mgP2 national
  • Magnesium2.0mgP37 national
  • Potassium1.5mgP17 national
  • Iron (II)0.20mgP41 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Bicarbonate54.9mgP31 national
  • Sulfate25.5mgP36 national
  • Chloride1.6mgP2 national
  • Thiosulfate2.7mgP86 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid76.5mgP49 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide103mgP79 national
  • Free hydrogen sulfide6.8mgP89 national

Measured at the source

pH
6.10
Neutral
Source temperature
39.1°C
Warm
Tonicity
0.18g/kg
Hypotonic
Free CO₂
103mg/kg
Low
Free H₂S
6.80mg/kg
Very high

On the certificate

  • diabetes
  • neuralgia
  • muscle pain
  • joint pain
  • frozen shoulder
  • sensitivity to cold

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. Tei C, Kihara T. Waon Therapy for Chronic Heart Failure. J. Cardiology 53(2):214–218, 2009.
  3. Coavoy-Sánchez SA et al. Hydrogen sulfide and dermatological diseases. Int. J. Dermatology, 2019.
  4. Naito Y et al. A Hot-Spring Water Improves Inflammatory Conditions in an Atopic Dermatitis Model. Biomedicines 13(11):2707, 2025.
  5. Akiyama H et al. Antimicrobial effects of acidic hot-spring water on S. aureus. J. Dermatological Science 24(3):193–200, 2000.
  6. Toriyama T et al. Carbon dioxide foot bathing on critical limb ischemia. International Angiology 21(4):367–373, 2002.
  7. Takeda M et al. Hot spring bathing practices have a positive effect on mental health in Japan. Heliyon 9(9):e19631, 2023.
  8. Ministry of the Environment, Japan. 禁忌症及び入浴又は飲用上の注意事項 (2014 notice).official

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
    No
  • Recirculated
    No
  • Disinfected
    No
  • Bath additives
    No

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