Yudai Onsen

Water profile

Yudai Onsen

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

SimpleSodium-Calcium Bicarbonate spring

A sodium-led alkaline simple thermal spring of light mineralization (0.214 g/kg total dissolved solids). pH measures 8.7 at the wellhead and 8.87 in the lab, putting it firmly in Japan's beauty-water family with a noticeably slippery feel on the skin. The source emerges at 29.8 degrees Celsius — a low-temperature spring that is reheated for bathing.

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%)
  • Sodium25.2mgP5 national
  • Calcium6.4mgP21 national
  • Potassium2.0mgP22 national
  • Magnesium0.60mgP21 national
  • Copper< —mg
  • Iron (II)< —mg
  • Iron (III)< —mg
  • Manganese< —mg
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Bicarbonate57.8mgP31 national
  • Carbonate7.2mgP42 national
  • Chloride7.1mgP10 national
  • Sulfate7.6mgP20 national
  • Bromide0.20mgP31 national
  • Hydrogen phosphate0.10mgP39 national
  • Hydroxide0.09mgP41 national
  • Hydrogen sulfide< —mg
  • Thiosulfate< —mg
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid100mgP57 national
  • Metaboric acid0.01mgP4 national
  • Metaarsenious acid< —mg

Measured at the source

pH
8.70
Alkaline
Source temperature
29.8°C
Low temp.
Tonicity
0.21g/kg
Hypotonic
Flow rate
166L/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.