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Kurodaya

Water profile

Kurodaya

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

ChlorideSodium Chloride spring

A hot sodium chloride spring rising at a remarkable 93.2 °C wellhead temperature — one of the hottest sources in Beppu's catalogue. Weakly acidic at pH 6.67 and moderately mineralized at 3.76 g/kg, with chloride dominating the anion profile and leaving a salty, heat-retaining film on the skin after bathing.

Good for

Warming

Salt forms a film on the skin that slows heat loss, so the warmth lingers long after the bath (the classic heat-keeping water, nettō 熱の湯).

cold sensitivity

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:神経痛Muscle painJoint painFrozen shoulderMotor paralysisJoint stiffnessBruisesSprains

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やけど

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
  • 急性疾患(特に熱のある場合)
  • Active tuberculosis
  • Malignant tumor
  • 重い心臓病
  • 呼吸不全
  • Renal failure
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Severe anemia
  • その他一般に病勢進行中の疾患
  • 妊娠中(特に初期と末期)

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%)
  • Sodium1,127mgP86 national
  • Potassium175mgP96 national
  • Calcium28.1mgP44 national
  • Magnesium3.6mgP42 national
  • Manganese0.90mgP75 national
  • Iron (II)0.30mgP43 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Chloride1,776mgP85 national
  • Sulfate64.3mgP45 national
  • Bicarbonate30.6mgP18 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid217mgP89 national
  • Metaboric acid64.3mgP92 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide18.5mgP51 national

Measured at the source

Source temperature
93.2°C
Hot
Tonicity
3.76g/kg
Hypotonic
Free CO₂
19mg/kg
Low

On the certificate

  • Chronic digestive disorders
  • Hemorrhoids
  • 冷え症
  • 慢性皮膚病
  • Chronic gynecological conditions

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. Kario K et al. Hemodynamic Effects of Hot Spring Bathing. Hypertension Research 46(3):711–720, 2023.
  3. Naito Y et al. A Hot-Spring Water Improves Inflammatory Conditions in an Atopic Dermatitis Model. Biomedicines 13(11):2707, 2025.
  4. Donaubauer AJ et al. Serial radon spa therapy on pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024.
  5. Verhagen AP et al. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD000518, 2015.
  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.