Torikai Ryokan

Water profile

Torikai Ryokan

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

RadonSodium Chloride-Sulfate-Bicarbonate spring

A blended simple radon spring drawing from the Torikai Rotenburo and Torikai No.2 wells, served at 42.5 °C. Weakly alkaline and lightly mineralized (482 mg/kg total dissolved solids), so the water reads soft on the skin. Radon registers at 274 Bq/kg — squarely in the 'hormesis' tradition that Japan's radon spas are known for.

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

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%)
  • Sodium118mgP31 national
  • Calcium12.0mgP30 national
  • Magnesium2.4mgP37 national
  • Potassium3.4mgP28 national
Anionsshare of charge (mval%)
  • Chloride82.1mgP36 national
  • Sulfate76.1mgP52 national
  • Bicarbonate91.5mgP40 national
  • Fluoride6.9mgP87 national
Non-dissociatedmeasured by mass
  • Metasilicic acid81.0mgP49 national
  • Metaboric acid2.0mgP19 national
  • Metaarsenious acid0.10mgP59 national
Dissolved gasesmeasured by mass
  • Free carbon dioxide7.9mgP34 national
  • Free hydrogen sulfideNDmg
Trace metalsmeasured by mass
  • Radon274mgP82 national
  • Arsenic0.09mgP71 national
  • Cadmium< —mg
  • Copper< —mg
  • Mercury< —mg
  • Lead< —mg

Measured at the source

pH
7.60
Weakly alkaline
Source temperature
42.5°C
Hot
Tonicity
0.48g/kg
Hypotonic
Free CO₂
7.90mg/kg
Low
Radon
274Bq/kg
High

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. Donaubauer AJ et al. Serial radon spa therapy on pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024.
  4. Verhagen AP et al. Balneotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD000518, 2015.
  5. Li H et al. Bicarbonate Ionized Water Bathing Enhances Natural Killer Cell Activity. Scientific Reports 14:51851, 2024.
  6. Takeda M et al. Hot spring bathing practices have a positive effect on mental health in Japan. Heliyon 9(9):e19631, 2023.

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