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Yamanakako Onsen Benifuji no Yu hot spring

Water profile

Yamanakako Onsen Benifuji no Yu hot spring

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

SimpleSodium Sulfate spring

An alkaline simple thermal spring with a strongly alkaline pH of 10.0 at the wellhead. With dissolved solids of just 172 mg/kg the water is lightly mineralized and gentle on the body, yet the strong alkalinity gives the pronounced slippery feel of Japan's beauty-water family. At the source it is colorless, clear, tasteless and odorless, making for an easy, mild bathing water.

Good for

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%)
  • Sodium49.0mgP13 national
  • Calcium6.7mgP21 national
  • Potassium0.50mgP5 national
  • Aluminum0.10mgP54 national
  • Iron (II)0.0000mg
  • Iron (III)0.0000mg
  • Hydrogen0.0000mg
  • Lithium0.0000mg
  • Magnesium0.0000mg
  • Manganese0.0000mg
  • Ammonium0.0000mg
  • Strontium0.0000mg
  • Zinc0.0000mg
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Sulfate53.2mgP40 national
  • HSiO335.2mgP74 national
  • Chloride15.1mgP16 national
  • Bicarbonate9.7mgP6 national
  • Hydrogen sulfide1.7mgP78 national
  • Fluoride0.30mgP24 national
  • BO20.30mgP44 national
  • Bromide0.0000mg
  • Hydrogen phosphate0.0000mg
  • HSO40.0000mg
  • Iodide0.0000mg
  • Thiosulfate0.0000mg
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid0.0000mg
  • H2SO4Free0.0000mg
  • Phosphoric acid0.0000mg
  • Metaarsenious acid0.0000mg
  • Metaboric acid0.0000mg
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide0.0000mg
  • Free hydrogen sulfide0.0000mg
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Arsenic< —mg
  • Cadmium< —mg
  • Copper< —mg
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

pH
10.00
Alkaline
Source temperature
26.0°C
Warm
Tonicity
0.17g/kg
Hypotonic
Flow rate
120L/min
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. Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
  4. 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.