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Sanogawa Onsen

Water profile

Sanogawa Onsen

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

SulfurSodium-Calcium Chloride spring

An alkaline simple sulfur spring. With pH 9.67 to 9.9, it is strongly alkaline and delivers a remarkable slippery feel, placing it squarely in the Japanese beauty-water family. A faint sulfur taste and unmistakable rotten-egg note come through on entry, from dissolved hydrosulfide and thiosulfate ions. Mineralization is light at 579 mg/kg, so the body of the water stays gentle even as the sulfur character holds its own.

Good for

Skin conditions

Sulfur and acidic waters are antibacterial and keratolytic, studied for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

atopic skin, eczema

On the certificate:慢性皮膚病

Circulation

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

tired legs

On the certificate:HemorrhoidsChronic gynecological conditions

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

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:ConvalescenceFatigue recoveryGeneral health improvement

Take care

Sensitive-skin caution

Strongly acidic or sulfur-rich water can sting broken, atopic-flare, or dry elderly skin. Ease in slowly and rinse off if it stings.

broken or dry skin

Contraindications
  • 急性疾患(特に熱のある場合)
  • 活動性結核
  • Malignant tumor
  • 重い心臓病
  • 呼吸不全
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Severe anemia
  • その他一般に病勢進行中の疾患
  • 妊娠中(とくに初期と末期)
  • 皮膚・粘膜の過敏な人、特に光線過敏症の人
  • 下痢患者または下痢を起こしやすい患者

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%)
  • Sodium158mgP42 national
  • Calcium58.9mgP60 national
  • Potassium1.0mgP14 national
  • Strontium0.10mgP26 national
  • Aluminum0.0000mg
  • Barium0.0000mg
  • Iron (II)0.0000mg
  • Iron (III)0.0000mg
  • Hydrogen0.0000mg
  • Lithium0.0000mg
  • Magnesium0.0000mg
  • Manganese0.0000mg
  • FeTotal< —mg
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Chloride297mgP63 national
  • HSiO323.8mgP68 national
  • BO215.3mgP96 national
  • Bicarbonate14.8mgP10 national
  • Thiosulfate3.7mgP91 national
  • Hydrogen sulfide1.4mgP74 national
  • Hydrogen phosphate1.7mgP87 national
  • Fluoride0.70mgP40 national
  • Bromide0.80mgP54 national
  • AsO20.0000mg
  • Carbonate0.0000mg
  • HSO40.0000mg
  • Iodide0.0000mg
  • Hydroxide0.0000mg
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Cadmium< —mg
  • Chromium< —mg
  • Copper< —mg
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

pH
9.90
Alkaline
Source temperature
30.9°C
Low temp.
Tonicity
0.58g/kg
Hypotonic
Flow rate
180.5L/min
Typical

On the certificate

  • 神経痛
  • Muscle pain
  • Joint pain
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Motor paralysis
  • Joint stiffness
  • Bruises
  • Sprains
  • Chronic digestive disorders
  • 冷え症
  • 糖尿病
  • Diabetes
  • Gout
  • 便秘

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. Tei C, Kihara T. Waon Therapy for Chronic Heart Failure. J. Cardiology 53(2):214–218, 2009.
  3. Coavoy-Sánchez SA et al. Hydrogen sulfide and dermatological diseases. Int. J. Dermatology, 2019.
  4. Naito Y et al. A Hot-Spring Water Improves Inflammatory Conditions in an Atopic Dermatitis Model. Biomedicines 13(11):2707, 2025.
  5. Akiyama H et al. Antimicrobial effects of acidic hot-spring water on S. aureus. J. Dermatological Science 24(3):193–200, 2000.
  6. Toriyama T et al. Carbon dioxide foot bathing on critical limb ischemia. International Angiology 21(4):367–373, 2002.
  7. Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
  8. Takeda M et al. Hot spring bathing practices have a positive effect on mental health in Japan. Heliyon 9(9):e19631, 2023.
  9. Ministry of the Environment, Japan. 禁忌症及び入浴又は飲用上の注意事項 (2014 notice).official

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