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ETAVIA Yufuin Ekimae

Water profile

ETAVIA Yufuin Ekimae

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

SimpleSodium Bicarbonate-Chloride spring

A gentle simple thermal spring that punches above its class on silica: 188 mg/kg of metasilicic acid, enough to leave the thin, moisturizing film that makes skin feel noticeably smoother afterwards. Mildly alkaline and soft on the skin, it sits squarely in Japan's beauty-water family, while the light overall mineralization (575 mg/kg dissolved solids) keeps it undemanding for a long soak. At the source the water carries a very faint yellow tint but stays clear, with no taste and almost no smell. The property's guest sheet notes a private open-air bath on the third floor, usable without a reservation for up to 60 minutes.

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

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%)
  • Sodium94.4mgP27 national
  • Potassium19.1mgP61 national
  • Calcium6.5mgP19 national
  • Magnesium3.4mgP40 national
  • Lithium0.20mgP38 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Bicarbonate167mgP54 national
  • Chloride54.2mgP28 national
  • Sulfate37.5mgP36 national
  • Hydrogen phosphate1.4mgP86 national
  • Fluoride0.40mgP29 national
  • Bromide0.20mgP29 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid188mgP83 national
  • Metaboric acid2.7mgP23 national
  • H2SO4Free0.0000mg
  • Phosphoric acid0.0000mg
  • Metaarsenious acid0.0000mg
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide13.2mgP45 national
  • Free hydrogen sulfide0.0000mg
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Arsenic0.04mgP47 national
  • Cadmium< —mg
  • Copper< —mg
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

pH
8.00
Weakly alkaline
Source temperature
49.8°C
Hot
Tonicity
0.57g/kg
Hypotonic
Free CO₂
13mg/kg
Low

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.