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Yufuin Sansuikan

Water profile

Yufuin Sansuikan

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

SimpleSodium Bicarbonate-Chloride spring

A blended source that brings together the Yufu-no-yu and Asagiri-no-yu wells, classified as a simple thermal spring — neutral, hypotonic and light on the body at 832 mg/kg of dissolved solids. At 71.6 °C it ranks among Japan's hottest natural sources, and the posted panel records it reaching the bathing position at 43.8–50.4 °C. What lifts it above ordinary simple water is metasilicic acid at 226 mg/kg, enough to leave the thin silica film that places this spring in Japan's beauty-water family. The panel documents the water for neuralgia, joint stiffness, bruises and sprains, convalescence and fatigue recovery.

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

On the certificate:neuralgiamuscle painjoint painfrozen shouldermotor paralysisjoint stiffnessbruisessprains

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

On the certificate:convalescencefatigue recoverygeneral health improvement

Take care

Contraindications
  • acute illness (especially with fever)
  • active tuberculosis
  • malignant tumor
  • severe heart disease
  • respiratory failure
  • renal failure
  • bleeding disorders
  • severe anemia
  • any other illness in a progressive stage
  • pregnancy (especially the early and late stages)

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%)
  • Sodium156mgP41 national
  • Potassium31.5mgP76 national
  • Calcium5.7mgP18 national
  • Magnesium2.1mgP35 national
  • Ammonium0.80mgP61 national
  • Lithium0.30mgP44 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Bicarbonate264mgP61 national
  • Chloride106mgP42 national
  • Sulfate32.6mgP35 national
  • Hydrogen phosphate0.80mgP78 national
  • Fluoride0.30mgP24 national
  • Bromide0.20mgP30 national
  • Thiosulfate0.20mgP55 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid226mgP90 national
  • Metaboric acid5.2mgP38 national
  • Metaarsenious acid0.10mgP56 national
  • H2SO4Free0.0000mg
  • Phosphoric acid0.0000mg
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide7.5mgP34 national
  • Free hydrogen sulfide0.0000mg
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Arsenic0.09mgP63 national
  • Cadmium< —mg
  • Copper< —mg
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

pH
7.30
Neutral
Source temperature
71.6°C
Hot
Tonicity
0.83g/kg
Hypotonic
Free CO₂
7.50mg/kg
Low

On the certificate

  • chronic digestive disorders
  • hemorrhoids
  • cold sensitivity

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.

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