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Wafuryokan Misato

Water profile

Wafuryokan Misato

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

Sulfur

A hydrogen-sulfide-type simple sulfur spring with the characteristic rotten-egg note of H2S; the water occasionally turns milky white on contact with air. Weakly acidic and hypotonic, but hot at 52.7 C, and listed on the old facility plaque for neuralgia, muscle pain, and post-illness recovery.

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

On the certificate:Hemorrhoids

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 painFrozen shoulderBruisesSprains

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

On the certificate:ConvalescenceFatigue recovery

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

Contraindications
  • Acute illness
  • Active tuberculosis
  • 重い心臓病
  • 呼吸不全
  • Renal failure
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Severe anemia
  • 妊娠中(とくに初期と末期)

Measured at the source

Source temperature
52.7°C
Hot
Tonicity
Hypotonic

On the certificate

  • 冷え症
  • Chronic digestive disorders

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. Tei C, Kihara T. Waon Therapy for Chronic Heart Failure. J. Cardiology 53(2):214–218, 2009.
  3. Coavoy-Sánchez SA et al. Hydrogen sulfide and dermatological diseases. Int. J. Dermatology, 2019.
  4. Naito Y et al. A Hot-Spring Water Improves Inflammatory Conditions in an Atopic Dermatitis Model. Biomedicines 13(11):2707, 2025.
  5. Akiyama H et al. Antimicrobial effects of acidic hot-spring water on S. aureus. J. Dermatological Science 24(3):193–200, 2000.
  6. Toriyama T et al. Carbon dioxide foot bathing on critical limb ischemia. International Angiology 21(4):367–373, 2002.
  7. Donaubauer AJ et al. Serial radon spa therapy on pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024.
  8. Verhagen AP et al. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD000518, 2015.
  9. Takeda M et al. Hot spring bathing practices have a positive effect on mental health in Japan. Heliyon 9(9):e19631, 2023.
  10. 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

How the water is handled

Water treatment

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

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