Isawa Onsen

Water profile

Isawa Onsen

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

SimpleSodium Bicarbonate-Carbonate-Chloride spring

A sodium-led simple thermal spring, lightly mineralized at 158.8 mg/kg of dissolved solids and gentle on the body. Its alkaline pH of 9.18 gives the slippery, beauty-water feel that softens the skin, placing it among the more alkaline waters of its class. It is served at a retro Showa-era public bathhouse known for a painted Mt. Fuji mural.

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

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%)
  • Sodium50.0mgP14 national
  • Calcium2.3mgP9 national
  • Potassium0.70mgP8 national
  • Aluminum0.20mgP67 national
  • Iron (II)0.20mgP41 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Bicarbonate47.4mgP28 national
  • Carbonate20.4mgP68 national
  • Chloride20.2mgP18 national
  • Sulfate15.1mgP31 national
  • Fluoride1.3mgP54 national
  • Hydroxide0.30mgP71 national
  • Hydrogen sulfide0.40mgP50 national
  • Thiosulfate0.20mgP52 national
  • Bromide0.10mgP17 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid48.2mgP30 national
  • Metaboric acid2.5mgP23 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide0.0000mg
  • Free hydrogen sulfide0.0000mg
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Arsenic0.24mgP89 national
  • Cadmium< —mg
  • Chromium< —mg
  • Copper< —mg
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

pH
9.18
Alkaline
Source temperature
25.5°C
Warm
Tonicity
0.16g/kg
Hypotonic
Flow rate
151.9L/min
Typical

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.

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