Motoyu Kumanokawa Yokujo

Water profile

Motoyu Kumanokawa Yokujo

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

Radon

A weakly radioactive spring in Saga at Kumanokawa Onsen. Alkaline at pH 9.29 with a noticeably slippery feel, sitting in Japan's beauty-water family. It emerges at around 30 degrees Celsius as a low-temperature source and is valued in the local radon-spring tradition.

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:ConvalescenceFatigue recoveryGeneral health improvement

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
  • 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%)
  • Sodium32.7mgP7 national
  • Calcium4.0mgP15 national
  • Potassium1.7mgP19 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Bicarbonate75.5mgP37 national
  • Fluoride6.9mgP87 national
  • Sulfate6.9mgP19 national

Measured at the source

Source temperature
30.0°C
Low temp.
Tonicity
0.15g/kg
Hypotonic

On the certificate

  • 神経痛
  • Muscle pain
  • Joint pain
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Motor paralysis
  • Joint stiffness
  • Bruises
  • Sprains
  • Chronic digestive disorders
  • Hemorrhoids
  • 冷え症
  • Chronic digestive disorders
  • 高血圧症
  • 胆石症
  • 神経痛
  • 筋肉痛
  • 関節痛

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.