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Niji no yu

Water profile

Niji no yu

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

SimpleSodium-Calcium Bicarbonate spring

A lightly mineralized simple thermal spring. The wellhead measures 29.7 °C, putting it in the low-temperature class — the bath water is reheated before serving. Neutral pH (7.4) and a faint yellow tint give a gentle, unassuming character, while a meaningful 60.8 mg/kg of metasilicic acid leaves the skin slightly smoother than the modest mineralization would suggest.

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%)
  • Sodium32.5mgP7 national
  • Calcium13.4mgP30 national
  • Magnesium2.0mgP35 national
  • Potassium1.9mgP22 national
  • Iron (II)0.60mgP56 national
  • Aluminum< —mg
  • Manganese< —mg
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Bicarbonate136mgP48 national
  • Chloride4.9mgP7 national
  • Sulfate1.6mgP9 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid60.8mgP37 national
  • Metaboric acid0.20mgP6 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide4.4mgP29 national
  • Free hydrogen sulfide0.10mgP61 national
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Arsenic< —mg

Measured at the source

pH
7.41
Neutral
Source temperature
29.7°C
Low temp.
Tonicity
0.25g/kg
Hypotonic
Flow rate
880L/min
High
Free CO₂
4.40mg/kg
Low
Free H₂S
0.10mg/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. 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.