Spring qualities and their medicinal benefits

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Hot springs are not just relaxing and refreshing – they benefit health and beauty in many ways as well. Hot springs are good for your mind and body, both inside and outside. Since ancient times, Japanese people have been practising medicinal hot spring baths, called “To-ji” (湯治) in Japanese. Connections between hot springs and health have been well-known in Japan.

In Japan, hot springs are defined by the Hot Spring Law. A heated spring has to meet certain criteria concerning chemical components, temperatures and others to be certified as a hot spring. Among all hot springs, those containing a number of specific chemical constituents and thus providing particularly high medicinal benefits are called medical hot springs (療養泉). Those special hot springs are further classified into 10 different types known as “spring qualities.” You can make best use of hot springs’ medicinal benefits by knowing the characteristics of each spring quality. Every hot spring ryokan indicates their spring qualities inside the buildings.

Before exploring the 10 spring qualities of medical hot springs, it is good to emphasise that all hot springs, but not only medical hot springs, have some common medicinal benefits. Japanese Government make a thorough review of every hot spring application to make sure that all of them are genuine hot springs that provide health benefits. The common indications met by all hot springs are listed below.

 

1. Neuralgia, muscle soreness and arthralgia, including low back pain and rheumatism
2. Frozen shoulder
3. Bruise
4. Sprain
5. Motor paralysis
6. Muscle stiffness
7. Chronic digestive diseases
8. Hemorrhoid
9. Cold constitution
10. Recovery from illness
11. Health promotion
12. Peripheral circulatory disturbance
13. Decline in gastrointestinal function
14. Hypertension
15. Diabetes
16. Hypercholesterolemia
17. Asthma and emphysema
18. Autonomic instability
19. Stress-related disorders, including sleep disorders and depression
20. Recovery from exhaustion

 

On top of these 20 benefits, the 10 medical hot springs have separate and unique positive effects on humans. Apart from taking baths, drinking spring water also brings benefits to our health and beauty. Please note that spring water for drinking, called “in-sen” (飲泉) in Japanese, are different from spring water in baths which are not suitable for drinking. You can drink hot spring water wherever the Chinese characters of “in-sen” (飲泉) are displayed.

 

1. Simple hot springs (Japanese: 単純温泉)

Photo: Akan Yukunosato Tsuruga, Lake Akan Onsen

Colour

Colourless and transparent

Description

“Spring for family” in a nutshell. These hot springs are mild in nature and gentle to the skin, so they are suitable for everyone including the elderly and small children. You will feel that your skin becomes silky smooth when taking a bath there. Many renowned hot springs in Japan are simple hot springs. They are particularly good for arthralgia, as well as recovery from illness, surgery, bone fracture and wounds. Simple hot springs with a pH greater than or equal to 8.5 are called “alkali simple hot springs” (Japanese: アルカリ性単純温泉) and are especially good for the skin, so they are also known as “springs for pretty women”.

Medicinal benefits

Cuts, burns, chronic dermatological diseases, frail children, chronic gynecological diseases, chronic constipation, liver ailments, arteriosclerosis, chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, obesity, menstrual disorders

Typical examples

Hokkaido

Lake Akanko OnsenAbashiri Onsen (Memanbetsu)

Tohoku Region

Hanamaki OnsenTsunagi-Oshuku OnsenMatsushima OnsenAkiu OnsenYuze OnsenAnahara Onsen

Tokyo suburbs

Isawa OnsenHakone OnsenAtami OnsenIto OnsenSouth Izu OnsenShuzenji Onsen
Nikko OnsenKinugawa OnsenYunishigawa OnsenNasu-Shiobara OnsenIkaho Onsen
Echigo Yuzawa OnsenLake Suwa & Tateshina OnsenTobira Onsen

Nagoya Chubu & Hokuriku Region

Gero OnsenHida Takayama OnsenOkuhida OnsenNagashima Onsen

Osaka Kyoto Kansai Region

Kyoto OnsenKyoto Tango Peninsula (Yuhigaura) OnsenSumoto Onsen (Awajishima Island)Arima Onsen

Hiroshima Chugoku Region

Misasa OnsenNagatoyumoto OnsenYuda Onsen

Shikoku Region

Oboke-Iya OnsenDogo Onsen

Kyushu Region

Yufuin OnsenBeppu OnsenAso & Kurokawa Onsen

 

2. Carbon dioxide springs (Japanese: 二酸化炭素泉)

Photo: Gekkoen Korokan, Arima Onsen

Colour

Reddish brown

Description

“Spring for the heart” in a nutshell. Soaking in this type of hot springs, also called “bubbly springs” or “beer springs”, is like getting your body into soda water and brings a refreshing feeling. Because of their vasodilatory effects, they improve blood circulation and are good for blood pressure problems.

Medicinal benefits

Cuts, burns, arteriosclerosis, obesity

Special efficacies when drinking

Decline in gastrointestinal functions, chronic constipation

Typical example

Tohoku Region

Sukayu Onsen

Osaka Kyoto Kansai Region

Arima Onsen

Kyushu Region

Beppu Onsen

 

3. Hydrogen carbonate springs (Japanese: 炭酸水素塩泉)

Photo: Tokachigawa Onsen Daiichi Hotel

Colour

Almost-black reddish brown

Description

“Spring for beauty” or “spring for the liver” in a nutshell. They can make your skin beautiful because of the skin softening and dirt removal effects. They are also good for the liver. Hydrogen carbonate springs with particularly high concentration of carbonic acid are called “carbonate springs” (Japanese: 炭酸泉).

Medicinal benefits

Cuts, burns, xeroderma, chronic dermatological diseases, chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, obesity, skin beautifying

Special efficacies when drinking

Gastroduodenal ulcer, reflux esophagitis, gout, diabetes, liver ailments

Typical examples

Hokkaido

Lake Shikotsu OnsenNiseko OnsenTokachigawa OnsenShiretoko (Utoro) Onsen

Tohoku Region

Tsuta Onsen

Tokyo suburbs

Hitachinaka & Itsuura OnsenAkakura OnsenShirahone Onsen

Nagoya Chubu & Hokuriku Region

Hida Takayama OnsenOkuhida Onsen

Osaka Kyoto Kansai Region

Arima OnsenHimeji OnsenYumura OnsenNanki Shirahama OnsenRyujin Onsen

Shikoku Region

Takamatsu Onsen

Kyushu Region

Ureshino OnsenHirado OnsenBeppu OnsenKagoshima Shiroyama Onsen

 

4. Chloride springs (Japanese: 塩化物泉)

Photo: Minami Sanriku Hotel Kanyo, Minami Sanriku Onsen 

Colour

Colourless and transparent, with a few being black

Description

“Spring for wounds” in a nutshell. They are a good cure for wounds due to the sterilizing effect of sodium. They keep your body warm even after getting out of the bath for a while because they control the evaporation of sweat, and so they are usually called “springs of heat” or “springs of warmth.” They are also good for arthralgia and rheumatism.

Medicinal benefits

Cuts, burns, xeroderma, chronic dermatological diseases, frail children, chronic gynecological diseases, obesity, menstrual disorders, infertility

Special efficacies when drinking

Chronic atrophic gastritis, constipation, anemia

Typical examples

Hokkaido

Jozankei OnsenOtaru OnsenNiseko OnsenNoboribetsu OnsenLake Toya OnsenTokachigawa OnsenShiretoko (Utoro) OnsenHakodate Yunokawa Onsen

Tohoku Region

Tsuta OnsenMinami Sanriku OnsenAkiu OnsenGinzan OnsenKaminoyama Onsen (Zao)Atsumi Onsen

Tokyo suburbs

Mt. Fuji Lake Kawaguchiko OnsenHakone OnsenAtami OnsenIto OnsenEast Izu OnsenIzu Toi OnsenNumazu OnsenYaizu OnsenKamogawa OnsenChoshi Onsen (Narita)Kusatsu OnsenShima OnsenMinakami-Tanigawa OnsenEchigo Yuzawa OnsenMuikamachi OnsenIwamuro OnsenTsukioka OnsenSenami OnsenYudanaka Shibu Onsen (Snow Monkey)

Nagoya Chubu & Hokuriku Region

Minami Chita OnsenIse-Shima OnsenHida Takayama OnsenToyama OnsenWakura Onsen

Osaka Kyoto Kansai Region

Arima OnsenHimeji OnsenKinosaki OnsenYumura OnsenSumoto Onsen (Awajishima Island)Kyoto Amanohashidate OnsenNara OnsenNanki Shirahama OnsenKii Katsuura Onsen

Hiroshima Chugoku Region

Kaike OnsenMisasa OnsenYunogo OnsenTamatsukuri OnsenHagi Onsen

Shikoku Region

Konpira Onsen

Kyushu Region

Ureshino OnsenBeppu OnsenIbusuki Onsen

 

5. Sulfate springs (Japanese: 硫酸塩泉)

Photo: Shima Yamaguchikan, Shima Onsen

Colour

Colourless and transparent

Description

“Spring for stroke prevention” in a nutshell. They improve blood circulation and are usually called “medicine springs” because of their profound health benefits.

Medicinal benefits

Cuts, burns, xeroderma, chronic dermatological diseases, arteriosclerosis, skin beautifying, gout, stiff shoulder

Special efficacies when drinking

Chronic dermatological diseases, chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, chronic gynecological diseases, liver ailments, constipation, menstrual disorders, arteriosclerosis, gout, obesity

Typical examples

Hokkaido

Noboribetsu Onsen

Tohoku Region

Sukayu OnsenTsuta OnsenAkiu OnsenGinzan OnsenTendo OnsenKaminoyama Onsen (Zao)Atsumi OnsenAizuwakamatsu Onsen

Tokyo suburbs

Mt. Fuji Lake Kawaguchiko OnsenHakone OnsenAtami OnsenWest Izu OnsenIzu Toi OnsenIkaho OnsenKusatsu OnsenShima OnsenMinakami-Tanigawa OnsenAkakura OnsenYudanaka-Shibu Onsen (Snow Monkey)

Nagoya Chubu & Hokuriku Region

Kaga Yamashiro-Yamanaka Onsen (Kanazawa)

Osaka Kyoto Kansai Region

Arima OnsenYumura Onsen

Hiroshima Chugoku Region

Tamatsukuri Onsen

Kyushu Region

Beppu Onsen

 

6. Iron springs (Japanese: 含鉄泉)

Photo: Kishigon Ryokan, Ikaho Onsen

Colour

Reddish brown, with some being yellow or red

Description

“Spring for women” in a nutshell. They are good for many common symptoms experienced by women.

Medicinal benefits

Anemia, menstrual disorders, menopause, chronic dermatological diseases, obesity

Special efficacies when drinking

Iron-deficiency anemia

Typical examples

Hokkaido

Noboribetsu Onsen

Tohoku Region

Sukayu Onsen

Osaka Kyoto Kansai Region

Arima Onsen

Kyushu Region

Beppu Onsen

 

7. Iodine springs (Japanese: 含よう素泉)

Colour

Ginger

Description

“Spring for metabolism improvement” in a nutshell. These hot springs, producing best effects when drinking, activate thyroid hormones and promote visceral function. They also get your cholesterol under control and help prevent hyperlipidemia. Since iodine has strong antibacterial effects, their spring water is sometimes described as “natural mouthwash.” A friendly note – hyperthyroid patients should not drink too much iodine spring water.

Special efficacies when drinking

Hypercholesterolemia

Typical examples

Tokyo suburbs

Shisui Onsen (Narita)

 

 

8. Sulfur springs (Japanese: 硫黄泉)

Photo: Shirafune Grand Hotel, Shirahone Onsen

Colour

Murky white

Description

“Spring for lifestyle diseases” in a nutshell. They are good for high blood glucose, high blood pressure and high blood fat. They also provide a cure for arteriosclerosis because of the dilatation effect of peripheral vessels. They have the unique smell of hydrogen sulfide which are typically associated with hot springs. The white precipitation, called “spring flowers” (Japanese: 湯の花), is usually sold at the hot spring area as a healthy bath agent. Because of their great medicinal benefits, sulfur springs have been said to be good for all diseases since ancient times. They also have a skin lightening effect.

Medicinal benefits

Cuts, burns, chronic dermatological diseases, chronic gynecological diseases, menstrual disorders, skin beautifying. Those containing hydrogen and CO2 gases are called “hydrogen sulfide springs” (Japanese: 硫化水素泉) and are particularly good for arteriosclerosis.

Special efficacies when drinking

Chronic constipation, obesity, gout

Typical examples

Hokkaido

Noboribetsu Onsen

Tohoku Region

Sukayu OnsenZao OnsenFukushima (Tsuchiyu, Takayu) Onsen

Tokyo suburbs

Nasu-Shiobara OnsenEchigo Yuzawa OnsenTsukioka OnsenShirahone Onsen

Nagoya Chubu & Hokuriku Region

Okuhida Onsen

Osaka Kyoto Kansai Region

Kii Katsuura Onsen

Shikoku Region

Oboke-Iya Onsen

Kyushu Region

Unzen OnsenAso & Kurokawa Onsen

 

9. Acid springs (Japanese: 酸性泉)

Photo: Naraya, Kusatsu Onsen

Colour

Colourless or light ochre

Description

“Spring for sterilization” in a nutshell. Because of their strong anti-bacterial and bactericidal effects, they are good for athlete’s foot and chronic dermatological diseases. They can also speed up the metabolism and have effects similar to chemical peeling. Please note that people with particularly delicate skin should not soak in an acid spring bath for too long.

Medicinal benefits

Cuts, chronic dermatological diseases, chronic dermatological diseases, chronic constipation, obesity

Special efficacies when drinking

Chronic constipation, anemia

Typical examples

Hokkaido

Noboribetsu Onsen

Tohoku Region

Zao Onsen

Tokyo suburbs

Kusatsu Onsen

Kyushu Region

Unzen Onsen

 

10. Radioactive springs (Japanese: 放射能泉)

Photo: Misasakan, Misasa Onsen

Colour

Colourless and transparent

Description

“Spring for gout” or “Spring for every disease” in a nutshell. “Radioactive” may sound scary, but this type of hot springs only have a minute amount of radiation which does no harm to the human body. They are especially good for arthralgia and dysautonomia.

Medicinal benefits

Gout, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic dermatological diseases, chronic gynecological diseases, arteriosclerosis, obesity, chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis

Special efficacies when drinking

Chronic constipation, liver ailments, chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis

Typical examples

Hokkaido

Noboribetsu Onsen

Tokyo suburbs

Murasugi Onsen

Osaka Kyoto Kansai Region

Arima OnsenKyoto Amanohashidate Onsen

Hiroshima Chugoku Region

Misasa OnsenMiyajima OnsenTomonoura Onsen

 

 

All of the 10 medical hot springs share the 20 common medicinal benefits with those not certified as medical hot springs, so all hot springs in Japan are good for several diseases. Try different types of hot springs to feel their health benefits.

This articles is written and edited according to official information provided by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and the websites of several hot spring areas in Japan.

 

 

Remarks:
There may be more than one spring quality in a single hot spring area, so spring qualities may vary among different hot spring ryokans. For example, in Kusatsu Hot Spring, there are acid, sulfur and sulfate springs. Please refer to the notice in each hot spring facility for the exact spring quality there.