Yumotokan

Water profile

Yumotokan

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

SulfateCalcium-Sodium Sulfate spring · +Chloride

A calcium- and sodium-led sulfate–chloride spring emerging at 45.4 °C, weakly alkaline and hypotonic. Sulfate dominates the anion balance (about 90 mval%) with chloride underneath, giving the water a settled, mineral-rich body rather than a salty bite. The posted indications include cuts, peripheral circulation issues, sensitivity to cold and dry skin.

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

Circulation

Skin-absorbed CO₂ and hydrogen sulfide relax the vessel walls; carbon-dioxide springs can raise peripheral blood flow several-fold.

tired legs

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

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

Cuts

Mineral-rich chloride, sulfate and sulfur waters have a long-recorded soothing effect on minor cuts and slow-healing skin.

minor wounds

Recovery

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

fatigue, stress

Take care

Contraindications
  • 一般的禁忌症: 病気の活動期(特に熱のあるとき)、活動性の結核、進行した悪性腫瘍又は高度の貧血など身体衰弱の著しい場合、少し動くと息苦しくなるような重い心臓又は肺の病気、むくみのあるような重い腎臓の病気、消化管出血、目に見える出血があるとき、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%)
  • Calcium174mgP82 national
  • Sodium136mgP34 national
  • Potassium5.4mgP36 national
  • Magnesium0.70mgP23 national
  • Strontium0.60mgP69 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Sulfate634mgP92 national
  • Chloride27.7mgP21 national
  • Bicarbonate43.4mgP25 national
  • Fluoride0.40mgP33 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid40.0mgP23 national
  • Metaboric acid0.80mgP11 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide4.4mgP27 national
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Arsenic0.02mgP36 national
  • Cadmium< —mg
  • Copper< —mg
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

Source temperature
45.4°C
Hot
Tonicity
Hypotonic
Free CO₂
4.40mg/kg
Low

On the certificate

  • 一般的適応症: 筋肉又は関節の慢性的な痛み又はこわばり(関節リウマチ、変形性関節症、腰痛症、神経痛、五十肩、打撲、捻挫などの慢性期)、運動麻痺による筋肉のこわばり、胃腸機能の低下(胃がもたれる感じ、ガスがたまる感じ)、軽症高血圧、耐糖能異常(糖尿病)、軽い高コレステロール血症、軽い喘息又は肺気腫、痔の痛み、自律神経不安定症、ストレスによる諸症状(睡眠障害、うつ状態など)、病後回復期、疲労回復、健康増進
  • 泉質別適応症: きりきず、末梢循環障害、冷え性、うつ状態、皮膚乾燥症

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. Tei C, Kihara T. Waon Therapy for Chronic Heart Failure. J. Cardiology 53(2):214–218, 2009.
  4. Coavoy-Sánchez SA et al. Hydrogen sulfide and dermatological diseases. Int. J. Dermatology, 2019.
  5. Naito Y et al. A Hot-Spring Water Improves Inflammatory Conditions in an Atopic Dermatitis Model. Biomedicines 13(11):2707, 2025.
  6. Toriyama T et al. Carbon dioxide foot bathing on critical limb ischemia. International Angiology 21(4):367–373, 2002.
  7. Donaubauer AJ et al. Serial radon spa therapy on pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024.
  8. Verhagen AP et al. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD000518, 2015.
  9. Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
  10. 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.