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Robatakan

Water profile

Robatakan

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

Sulfate

A calcium- and sodium-led sulfate spring, settled and mineral-rich with noticeable body. At pH 8.6 it is alkaline, leaving a slippery, soft feel on the skin that places it in Japan's beauty-water family. It carries 57 mg/kg of metasilicic acid, enough for a thin silica film that smooths the skin. It is served as untreated source flow — no dilution, heating, recirculation, or disinfection.

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

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.

Cationsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Sodium311mgP62 national
  • Calcium309mgP89 national
  • Potassium9.7mgP45 national
  • Magnesium1.7mgP31 national
  • Strontium1.7mgP84 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Sulfate1,288mgP98 national
  • Chloride80.6mgP35 national
  • Bicarbonate11.1mgP6 national
  • Carbonate4.1mgP31 national
  • Fluoride0.70mgP40 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid57.1mgP34 national
  • Metaboric acid2.6mgP23 national
  • Metaarsenious acid0.04mgP38 national
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Cadmium< —mg
  • Copper< —mg
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

Source temperature
52.8°C
Hot
Tonicity
2.08g/kg
Hypotonic

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. Toriyama T et al. Carbon dioxide foot bathing on critical limb ischemia. International Angiology 21(4):367–373, 2002.
  6. Donaubauer AJ et al. Serial radon spa therapy on pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024.
  7. Verhagen AP et al. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD000518, 2015.
  8. Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
  9. 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

Pure source water· 源泉かけ流し (gensen kakenagashi)
from Article 18 disclosure
  • Added water
    No
  • 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.