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Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa

Water profile

Mercure Wakayama Kushimoto Resort & Spa

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

ChlorideCalcium-Sodium Chloride spring

A calcium- and sodium-led sodium chloride spring — salty and heat-retaining, leaving a faint mineral film on the skin. Richly mineralized at 9,132 mg/kg of dissolved solids, it is isotonic and neutral in pH, so it sits gently against the body. The bath water is diluted, reheated, recirculated, and chlorine-disinfected before reaching the pool, and the certificate marks it as bathing-only, not for drinking.

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

On the certificate:Sensitivity to cold

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

Recovery

Warmth and buoyancy lower stress markers and improve sleep; habitual bathing is linked to lower rates of depression.

fatigue, stress

On the certificate:Autonomic nervous instabilityRecovery period after illnessRecovery from fatigueHealth promotion

Take care

Contraindications
  • Active phase of illness (especially when feverish)
  • Active tuberculosis
  • Advanced malignant tumors or marked physical debilitation such as severe anemia
  • Severe heart or lung disease causing breathlessness on slight exertion
  • Severe kidney disease with edema
  • Gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Visible bleeding
  • Acute exacerbation of a chronic illness

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%)
  • Calcium2,042mgP98 national
  • Sodium1,327mgP88 national
  • Potassium22.3mgP67 national
  • Magnesium5.8mgP54 national
  • Iron (II)0.10mgP30 national
  • Manganese0.10mgP36 national
  • Aluminum< —mg
  • Hydrogen< —mg
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Chloride5,694mgP94 national
  • Bicarbonate13.7mgP9 national
  • Fluoride1.9mgP57 national
  • BO2< —mg
  • Carbonate< —mg
  • Hydrogen sulfide< —mg
  • Hydroxide< —mg
  • Thiosulfate< —mg
  • Sulfate< —mg
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid23.3mgP8 national
  • Metaboric acid0.50mgP8 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide2.2mgP22 national
  • Free hydrogen sulfide< —mg
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Arsenic< —mg
  • Cadmium< —mg
  • Copper< —mg
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

Source temperature
35.4°C
Warm
Tonicity
9.13g/kg
Isotonic
Free CO₂
2.20mg/kg
Low

On the certificate

  • Chronic pain or stiffness of muscles or joints (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, neuralgia, frozen shoulder, bruises, sprains in their chronic phase)
  • Muscle stiffness associated with motor paralysis
  • Weakened gastrointestinal function (heaviness in the stomach, gas in the intestines)
  • Mild hypertension
  • Impaired glucose tolerance (diabetes mellitus)
  • Mild hypercholesterolemia
  • Mild asthma or emphysema
  • Hemorrhoidal pain
  • Stress-related symptoms (sleep disturbance, depressive states)
  • Peripheral circulatory disorders
  • Dry skin

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. Takeda M et al. Hot spring bathing practices have a positive effect on mental health in Japan. Heliyon 9(9):e19631, 2023.

How the water is handled

Water treatment

Treated and recirculated
from Article 18 disclosure
  • Added water
    Yes
  • Reheated
    Yes
  • Recirculated
    Yes
  • Disinfected
    Yes
    塩素系薬剤
  • Bath additives
    No

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