草津温泉 万代鉱源泉Kusatsu Onsen Bandaiko Source
The Bandaiko source of Kusatsu Onsen feeds the near-side tub of Goza no Yu's Ki-no-Yu bathhouse. At pH 1.7 this is sharply acidic water — enough to prickle on contact — and it emerges at 94.6 °C, placing it among Japan's hottest natural sources, with sulfate and chloride as the dominant anions. Metasilicic acid at 528 mg/kg leaves the kind of thin silica film that makes skin feel noticeably smoother, and the bathhouse panel lists the water as documented for neuralgia, joint pain, bruises, sprains, burns, chronic digestive complaints, chronic gynecological conditions and skin condition. It is served as untreated free-flow: no dilution, no heating, no recirculation and no disinfection.
Good for
Skin conditions
Sulfur and acidic waters are antibacterial and keratolytic, studied for atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
atopic skin, eczema
Circulation
Skin-absorbed CO₂ and hydrogen sulfide relax the vessel walls; carbon-dioxide springs can raise peripheral blood flow several-fold.
tired legs
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
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, netto 熱の湯).
cold sensitivity
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
Cuts
Mineral-rich chloride, sulfate and sulfur waters have a long-recorded soothing effect on minor cuts and slow-healing skin.
minor wounds
Recovery
Warmth and buoyancy lower stress markers and improve sleep; habitual bathing is linked to lower rates of depression.
fatigue, stress
Take care
Sensitive-skin caution
Strongly acidic or sulfur-rich water can sting broken, atopic-flare, or dry elderly skin. Ease in slowly and rinse off if it stings.
broken or dry skin
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.
- Sodiumsalt's cation — pairs with chloride to make the water saltyNa⁺138mgP37 national
- Calciumsettling and calming; can leave a white mineral bloomCa²⁺114mgP76 national
- Magnesiummild; a laxative if you drink itMg²⁺76.0mgP89 national
- Potassiumminor; matters for drinking limitsK⁺64.4mgP88 national
- Aluminumshows up in acidic volcanic waterAl³⁺43.2mgP94 national
- Hydrogenmakes the water acidic — sharp and bactericidalH⁺19.9mgP97 national
- Manganesetrace; companion to iron springsMn²⁺3.6mgP95 national
- Iron (II)rusts brown in air; iron for anemia when drinkableFe²⁺3.0mgP77 national
- AmmoniumNH₄⁺0.40mgP43 national
- Sulfate"gypsum / Glauber's salt" — vessels and wound healingSO₄²⁻840mgP94 national
- Chloridetable-salt anion — coats the skin and holds heat inCl⁻708mgP78 national
- HSO4HSO4565mgP95 national
- Fluoridetrace; drinking limits applyF⁻25.1mgP99 national
- Bromidetrace, sea-originBr⁻4.5mgP80 national
- Metasilicic acidmetasilicic acid — a natural moisturizer for silky skinH₂SiO₃528mgP99 national
- H2SO4FreeH2SO4Free28.5mgP96 national
- Metaboric acidmetaboric acid — mildly antibacterialHBO₂21.4mgP75 national
- Free carbon dioxidefizz — widens blood vessels (strong above 1000 mg/kg)CO₂26.4mgP58 national
- Free hydrogen sulfide"egg" smell — opens vessels, antibacterialH₂S0.0000mg
- ArsenicAs2.6mgP99 national
- LeadPb0.08mgP93 national
- CopperCu0.0000mg
- Mercurytoxic trace — part of the drinking-safety checkHg0.0000mg
Measured at the source
On the certificate
- Sprains
- Chronic digestive disorders
- Skin beautification
Evidence
- 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.
- Kario K et al. Hemodynamic Effects of Hot Spring Bathing. Hypertension Research 46(3):711–720, 2023.
- Tei C, Kihara T. Waon Therapy for Chronic Heart Failure. J. Cardiology 53(2):214–218, 2009.
- Coavoy-Sánchez SA et al. Hydrogen sulfide and dermatological diseases. Int. J. Dermatology, 2019.
- Naito Y et al. A Hot-Spring Water Improves Inflammatory Conditions in an Atopic Dermatitis Model. Biomedicines 13(11):2707, 2025.
- Akiyama H et al. Antimicrobial effects of acidic hot-spring water on S. aureus. J. Dermatological Science 24(3):193–200, 2000.
- Toriyama T et al. Carbon dioxide foot bathing on critical limb ischemia. International Angiology 21(4):367–373, 2002.
- Donaubauer AJ et al. Serial radon spa therapy on pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024.
- Verhagen AP et al. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD000518, 2015.
- Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
- Takeda M et al. Hot spring bathing practices have a positive effect on mental health in Japan. Heliyon 9(9):e19631, 2023.
- Ministry of the Environment, Japan. 禁忌症及び入浴又は飲用上の注意事項 (2014 notice).official