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Hakata-yu

Water profile

Hakata-yu

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

Simple

A weakly alkaline simple thermal spring at a comfortable source temperature of 38.7 C. Total dissolved solids sit at a light 590 mg/kg, but metasilicic acid runs to 56 mg/kg, leaving the thin silica film that places this water squarely in Japan's beauty-water family. Radon at roughly 74 Bq/kg adds a quiet but real second dimension that the modest mineralization belies.

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%)
  • Sodium140mgP38 national
  • Calcium24.0mgP42 national
  • Potassium1.9mgP22 national
  • Magnesium0.70mgP23 national
  • Strontium0.70mgP74 national
  • Lithium0.40mgP50 national
  • Iron (II)0.10mgP30 national
  • Manganese0.08mgP24 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Bicarbonate170mgP54 national
  • Chloride110mgP43 national
  • Sulfate73.0mgP49 national
  • Fluoride1.9mgP57 national
  • Carbonate1.4mgP22 national
  • Thiosulfate0.40mgP62 national
  • Bromide0.30mgP36 national
  • Hydrogen sulfideNDmg
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid56.0mgP34 national
  • Metaboric acid5.8mgP41 national
  • Metaarsenious acid0.10mgP56 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide2.2mgP22 national
  • Free hydrogen sulfide< —mg
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Arsenic0.08mgP61 national
  • Radonmg

Measured at the source

pH
8.00
Weakly alkaline
Source temperature
38.7°C
Warm
Tonicity
0.59g/kg
Hypotonic
Free CO₂
2.20mg/kg
Low
Radon
74Bq/kg
Typical

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.

How the water is handled

Water treatment

Not disclosed
from Article 18 disclosure
  • Added water
    Not disclosed
  • Reheated
    Yes
  • Recirculated
    Not disclosed
  • Disinfected
    Not disclosed
  • Bath additives
    Not disclosed

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