A blended source — Shibu O-yu, combining O-yu with the Shibu Onsen combined source — classified as a sodium-calcium sulfate-chloride spring. Sulfate gives the water a quiet body with a salty edge layered in, and it is moderately mineralized with noticeable presence. Weakly acidic, it carries a metallic iron taste with a faint saltiness. With 159 mg/kg of metasilicic acid, it leaves a thin silica film for noticeably smoother skin.
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
Circulation
Skin-absorbed CO₂ and hydrogen sulfide relax the vessel walls; carbon-dioxide springs can raise peripheral blood flow several-fold.
tired legs
Warming
Salt forms a film on the skin that slows heat loss, so the warmth lingers long after the bath (the classic heat-keeping water, nettō 熱の湯).
cold sensitivity
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
Cuts
Mineral-rich chloride, sulfate and sulfur waters have a long-recorded soothing effect on minor cuts and slow-healing skin.
minor wounds
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.
- Sodiumsalt's cation — pairs with chloride to make the water saltyNa⁺209mgP53 national55%
- Calciumsettling and calming; can leave a white mineral bloomCa²⁺117mgP76 national35%
- Magnesiummild; a laxative if you drink itMg²⁺7.7mgP58 national4%
- Potassiumminor; matters for drinking limitsK⁺20.3mgP63 national3%
- HydrogenH⁺0.60mgP65 national0.5%
- LithiumLi⁺0.60mgP61 national0.5%
- StrontiumSr²⁺1.4mgP82 national0.2%
- Iron (II)rusts brown in air; iron for anemia when drinkableFe²⁺14.9mgP92 national
- Aluminumshows up in acidic volcanic waterAl³⁺0.90mgP77 national
- ZincZn²⁺0.02mgP46 national
- Sulfate"gypsum / Glauber's salt" — vessels and wound healingSO₄²⁻402mgP82 national51%
- Chloridetable-salt anion — coats the skin and holds heat inCl⁻279mgP61 national
- Bicarbonate"soda" — softens skin, leaves it smoothHCO₃⁻5.8mgP4 national
- Bromidetrace, sea-originBr⁻1.5mgP67 national
- Fluoridetrace; drinking limits applyF⁻1.4mgP53 national
- Iodideyellows in air; helps blood lipidsI⁻0.30mgP62 national
- AsO2AsO₂⁻0.06mgP79 national
- Metasilicic acidmetasilicic acid — a natural moisturizer for silky skinH₂SiO₃159mgP71 national
- Metaboric acidmetaboric acid — mildly antibacterialHBO₂38.4mgP84 national
- Metaarsenious acidHAsO₂0.60mgP85 national
- Free carbon dioxidefizz — widens blood vessels (strong above 1000 mg/kg)CO₂21.5mgP52 national
- CadmiumCdNDmg
- ChromiumCrNDmg
- Mercurytoxic trace — part of the drinking-safety checkHgNDmg
- LeadPbNDmg
Measured at the source
Evidence
- 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.
- Kario K et al. Hemodynamic Effects of Hot Spring Bathing. Hypertension Research 46(3):711–720, 2023.
- Tei C, Kihara T. Waon Therapy for Chronic Heart Failure. J. Cardiology 53(2):214–218, 2009.
- Coavoy-Sánchez SA et al. Hydrogen sulfide and dermatological diseases. Int. J. Dermatology, 2019.
- Naito Y et al. A Hot-Spring Water Improves Inflammatory Conditions in an Atopic Dermatitis Model. Biomedicines 13(11):2707, 2025.
- Toriyama T et al. Carbon dioxide foot bathing on critical limb ischemia. International Angiology 21(4):367–373, 2002.
- Donaubauer AJ et al. Serial radon spa therapy on pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024.
- Verhagen AP et al. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD000518, 2015.
- Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
- Takeda M et al. Hot spring bathing practices have a positive effect on mental health in Japan. Heliyon 9(9):e19631, 2023.