Ikoi Ryokan

Water profile

Ikoi Ryokan

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

SimpleSodium Chloride-Sulfate spring

A hot (72.5 °C) spring in the Kurokawa Onsen district, hypotonic and weakly acidic. With total dissolved solids of 682.7 mg/kg it falls into the simple-thermal classification — lightly mineralized rather than punchy. The standout figure is metasilicic acid at 169.8 mg/kg, well into the high-silica range, which leaves the kind of fine silica film that puts the water squarely in Japan's 'beauty-water' family.

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

On the certificate:神経痛Muscle painJoint painFrozen shoulderMotor paralysisJoint stiffnessBruisesSprains

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
  • 呼吸不全腎不全
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Severe anemia
  • その他一般に病勢進行中の疾患

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%)
  • Sodium194mgP48 national
  • Potassium61.3mgP86 national
  • Calcium14.6mgP33 national
  • Magnesium4.8mgP50 national
  • Lithium0.90mgP72 national
  • Iron (II)1.5mgP69 national
  • Aluminum0.40mgP78 national
  • Manganese0.90mgP79 national
  • Ammonium0.34mgP39 national
  • Hydrogen0.40mgP71 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Chloride176mgP52 national
  • Sulfate226mgP71 national
  • Fluoride1.0mgP49 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid170mgP78 national
  • Metaboric acid11.1mgP56 national
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Radon< —mg

Measured at the source

Source temperature
72.5°C
Hot
Tonicity
0.68g/kg
Hypotonic

On the certificate

  • Chronic digestive disorders
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Cold sensitivity

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. Donaubauer AJ et al. Serial radon spa therapy on pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024.
  4. Verhagen AP et al. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD000518, 2015.
  5. Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
  6. 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.