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Yamabiko-so

Water profile

Yamabiko-so

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

Sulfate

A calcium- and sodium-led sulfate spring, weakly mineralized at 1,758 mg/kg dissolved solids. Alkaline pH gives the slippery feel of Japan's beauty-water family, while the sulfate base brings quiet, settled body to the soak. Source temperature of 39 degrees Celsius leaves it pleasantly lukewarm — well-suited to long, unhurried bathing.

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

On the certificate:動脈硬化症

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

On the certificate:Cutsやけど

Recovery

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

fatigue, stress

Take care

Contraindications
  • 急性疾患(特に熱のある場合)
  • Active tuberculosis
  • Malignant tumor
  • 重い心臓病
  • 呼吸不全
  • Renal failure
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Severe anemia
  • 高度の動脈硬化症
  • 高血圧症
  • 妊娠中(特に初期と末期)

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%)
  • Calcium368mgP90 national
  • Sodium128mgP36 national
  • Potassium4.5mgP33 national
  • Aluminum< —mg
  • Iron (II)< —mg
  • Iron (III)< —mg
  • Magnesium< —mg
  • Manganese< —mg
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Sulfate1,153mgP97 national
  • Chloride86.1mgP37 national
  • Bicarbonate5.5mgP3 national
  • Bromide< —mg
  • Carbonate< —mg
  • Iodide< —mg
  • Nitrate< —mg
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid31.9mgP14 national
  • Metaboric acid0.60mgP10 national
  • Metaarsenious acid0.02mgP34 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide0.60mgP15 national
  • Free hydrogen sulfide< —mg
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

Source temperature
39.0°C
Warm
Tonicity
1.76g/kg
Hypotonic
Free CO₂
0.60mg/kg
Low

On the certificate

  • 慢性皮膚病

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. Toriyama T et al. Carbon dioxide foot bathing on critical limb ischemia. International Angiology 21(4):367–373, 2002.
  6. Donaubauer AJ et al. Serial radon spa therapy on pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024.
  7. Verhagen AP et al. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD000518, 2015.
  8. Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
  9. 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

Not disclosed
from Article 18 disclosure
  • Added water
    Not disclosed
  • Reheated
    Not disclosed
  • Recirculated
    Not disclosed
  • Disinfected
    Not disclosed
  • Bath additives
    Not disclosed

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