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Gokuraku-yu Hirakata

Water profile

Gokuraku-yu Hirakata

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

ChlorideSodium spring

A sodium-calcium chloride spring with a moderate salty body — 3,941 mg/kg of dissolved solids, weakly alkaline and soft on the skin. The wellhead runs at only 25.5 °C, so the bath is reheated and recirculated, served around 42 °C.

Good for

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

On the certificate: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

On the certificate:Dry 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

Recovery

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

fatigue, stress

On the certificate:Autonomic nervous system instabilityInsomniaDepressed mood

Take care

Contraindications
  • 病気の活動期(特に熱のあるとき)
  • Active tuberculosis
  • 進行した悪性腫瘍又は高度の貧血など全身衰弱の顕著な場合
  • 少しの身体活動も強い苦痛を生じる重い心臓又は肺の病気
  • むくみのあるような腎不全
  • 消化管出血
  • 目に見える出血
  • 慢性の病気の急性増悪期

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%)
  • Sodium1,094mgP86 national
  • Calcium390mgP90 national
  • FeTotal0.30mgP51 national
  • Manganese0.20mgP45 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Chloride1,488mgP84 national
  • Bromide8.6mgP88 national
  • Iodide0.10mgP37 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid18.7mgP4 national
  • Metaboric acid0.20mgP6 national
  • Metaarsenious acid< 0.10mg
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide9.9mgP40 national
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Radonmg

Measured at the source

Source temperature
25.5°C
Low temp.
Tonicity
3.94g/kg
Hypotonic
Free CO₂
9.90mg/kg
Low
Radon
17Bq/kg
Low

On the certificate

  • 筋肉若しくは関節の慢性的な痛み又はこわばり
  • Muscle stiffness associated with motor paralysis
  • Peripheral circulation disorders
  • 胃腸機能の低下
  • Mild hypertension
  • Impaired glucose tolerance (diabetes)
  • Mild hypercholesterolemia
  • Mild asthma or emphysema
  • Hemorrhoid pain
  • Peripheral circulation disorders

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. Kario K et al. Hemodynamic Effects of Hot Spring Bathing. Hypertension Research 46(3):711–720, 2023.
  3. Naito Y et al. A Hot-Spring Water Improves Inflammatory Conditions in an Atopic Dermatitis Model. Biomedicines 13(11):2707, 2025.
  4. Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
  5. 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

Treated and recirculated
from Article 18 disclosure
  • Added water
    No
  • Reheated
    Yes
  • Recirculated
    Yes
  • Disinfected
    Yes
    塩素系薬剤
  • Bath additives
    No

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