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Senshu Onsen

Water profile

Senshu Onsen

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

SimpleSodium Bicarbonate spring

A simple thermal spring led by sodium and bicarbonate. At pH 7.8 it is mildly alkaline and soft on the skin, with the slightly slippery feel that places it near Japan's beauty-water family. Lightly mineralized at 361 mg/kg of dissolved solids, it is gentle on the body and easy for long, unhurried soaks.

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%)
  • Sodium75.7mgP23 national
  • Calcium8.5mgP23 national
  • Magnesium1.7mgP31 national
  • Ammonium0.70mgP56 national
  • Potassium1.3mgP15 national
  • Iron (II)0.60mgP56 national
  • Aluminum0.20mgP64 national
  • Manganese< —mg
  • Zinc< —mg
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Bicarbonate192mgP57 national
  • Chloride26.6mgP20 national
  • Carbonate0.60mgP17 national
  • Hydrogen phosphate0.40mgP69 national
  • Sulfate0.30mgP4 national
  • Fluoride0.20mgP17 national
  • Bromide< —mg
  • Hydrogen sulfide< —mg
  • Thiosulfate< —mg
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid50.0mgP29 national
  • Metaboric acid2.0mgP19 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide3.1mgP24 national
  • Free hydrogen sulfide< —mg
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Arsenic< —mg
  • Cadmium< —mg
  • Copper< —mg
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

pH
7.80
Weakly alkaline
Source temperature
32.3°C
Low temp.
Tonicity
0.36g/kg
Hypotonic
Flow rate
508L/min
High
Free CO₂
3.10mg/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.