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Kibō-sō

Water profile

Kibō-sō

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

RadonSodium Bicarbonate spring · +Bicarbonate

A sodium-led bicarbonate spring — the classic jūsō-sen style — that also carries a weakly radioactive character. Weakly alkaline and soft on the skin, it sits in the Japanese beauty-water family. Dissolved solids of 1,940 mg/kg give it moderate, noticeable body. The bath is diluted to make up for limited source flow, reheated to a comfortable bathing temperature, and for hygiene it is served via recirculation and disinfected with silver ions and chlorine.

Good for

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

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%)
  • Sodium549mgP77 national
  • Calcium2.8mgP11 national
  • Potassium5.0mgP34 national
  • Magnesium0.90mgP25 national
  • Iron (II)1.0mgP62 national
  • Lithium0.20mgP40 national
  • Strontium0.0000mg
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Bicarbonate1,133mgP92 national
  • Chloride106mgP42 national
  • Fluoride25.0mgP99 national
  • Carbonate18.0mgP63 national
  • Sulfate3.8mgP13 national
  • Nitrate0.10mgP25 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metaboric acid67.6mgP93 national
  • Metasilicic acid29.0mgP12 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide7.3mgP34 national
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Arsenic< —mg
  • Cadmium< —mg
  • Copper< —mg
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

Source temperature
26.4°C
Low temp.
Tonicity
1.94g/kg
Hypotonic
Free CO₂
7.30mg/kg
Low

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. Naito Y et al. A Hot-Spring Water Improves Inflammatory Conditions in an Atopic Dermatitis Model. Biomedicines 13(11):2707, 2025.
  3. Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
  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(partial disclosure)
from Article 18 disclosure
  • Added water
    Yes
  • Reheated
    Yes
  • Recirculated
    Yes
  • Disinfected
    Yes
    銀イオン・塩素
  • Bath additives
    Not disclosed

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