渋温泉総合源泉(比良の湯、薬師の湯および飛びの湯の混合泉)Shibu Onsen Sogo Gensen (blend of Hira-no-yu, Yakushi-no-yu and Tobi-no-yu)
A sulfate-chloride spring led by sodium and calcium, drawn as the combined Shibu Onsen source blending Hira-no-yu, Yakushi-no-yu and Tobi-no-yu. Sulfate lends a settled, mineral body while the chloride content gives a salty, heat-retaining finish, all at a weakly acidic pH. At the wellhead the water is faintly yellow and clear with a slight iron taste.
Good for
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
Circulation
Skin-absorbed CO₂ and hydrogen sulfide relax the vessel walls; carbon-dioxide springs can raise peripheral blood flow several-fold.
tired legs
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
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
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⁺196mgP51 national55%
- Potassiumminor; matters for drinking limitsK⁺17.3mgP57 national3%
- HydrogenH⁺—mg0.5%
- AmmoniumNH₄⁺0.10mgP24 national0.0%
- Calciumsettling and calming; can leave a white mineral bloomCa²⁺108mgP74 national
- Iron (II)rusts brown in air; iron for anemia when drinkableFe²⁺0.03mgP15 national
- Sulfate"gypsum / Glauber's salt" — vessels and wound healingSO₄²⁻360mgP79 national53%
- Chloridetable-salt anion — coats the skin and holds heat inCl⁻250mgP59 national45%
- Bromidetrace, sea-originBr⁻1.3mgP65 national
- Fluoridetrace; drinking limits applyF⁻1.3mgP52 national
- Iodideyellows in air; helps blood lipidsI⁻0.0020mgP23 national
- Bicarbonate"soda" — softens skin, leaves it smoothHCO₃⁻—mg
- Metasilicic acidmetasilicic acid — a natural moisturizer for silky skinH₂SiO₃151mgP68 national
- Free carbon dioxidefizz — widens blood vessels (strong above 1000 mg/kg)CO₂30.7mgP61 national
Measured at the source
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.
- 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.