ARIMAKAN

Kaminoyama Onsen, where "Arimakan" is located, is an area that uses a "centralized management" system for its hot springs.
"Centralized management" system is a hot spring management system in which hot spring water is collected from each source well, mixed and stored in a storage tank, and then supplied to each facility. This system efficiently utilizes hot spring sources and stabilizes the quantity and quality of the supply.
"Arimakan" draws hot spring water from three sources that are generally the same in quality, known as the Kaminoyama-source No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3.
Each of the three sources has a different temperature, so they are making efforts to protect the limited hot spring resources for the future by resting the source well with the highest temperature during the summer when the outside temperatures are high.
Originally, the "Arimakan" itself owned the source wells, but now, from a resource protection point of view, the entire hot spring area has agreed to a system of owning and managing the source.
The Hot Spring Analysis Report for the Arimakan shows data from a mixture of these three sources.
The temperature of the spring is slightly high at 62.8°C, but by the time the water is distributed to the bathtubs at each facility, the temperature of the spring has dropped to a suitable level, so it can be said to be an ideal spring temperature.

The pH (hydrogen ion concentration) is 7.6 (Weak Alkali).
Generally, human skin is a weak acid (pH 4.5 to 6.0), so a soak in a weak alkaline hot spring will dissolve dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, leaving it smooth to the touch. After soaking in a weak alkaline hot spring, dead skin cells are dissolved and the skin feels smooth.

The name of the spring quality is "Sodium, Calcium - Chloride/Sulfate springs".
In the old name of the spring, it is a "Gypsum - Weakly Salt spring".
In other words, the spring has two characteristics: Sodium - Chloride spring (old name: Salt spring) and Calcium - Sulfate spring (old name: Gypsum spring).
The five common indications of the "Chloride spring" and "Sulfate spring" are Cuts, Peripheral circulatory disturbance, Sensitivity to cold, Depression, and Dry skin.

First, let's start with the "Sodium - Chloride spring", which is salty when drunk because salt is its main component.
Its salt content has a antibacterial effect and is effective in treating cuts and burns, and thus the "Chloride spring" is called "Hot spring for cuts". When you soak in the hot spring water, the salt covers your entire body, and when you get out of the water, the salt is absorbed by your skin, blocking the sweat glands (organs that secrete sweat) and keeping the body warm. Therefore, the blood circulation improves, and it is said to be good for Peripheral circulatory disturbances and Sensitivity to cold, and it is also called "Hot spring for warmth".
In addition, the lasting warming effect is said to be good for Depression by reducing the secretion of stress hormones, balancing the autonomic nervous system, and promoting a sense of mental stability.
The coating effects, such as the salt pack, also strengthen the moisturizing effect, which is helpful for Dry skin.

Next, the main feature of the "Calcium - Sulfate spring" is probably that it is called "Hot spring for beautiful skin" because of the combination of calcium ions, which promote skin regeneration, and sulfate ions, which increase skin elasticity and prevent wrinkles and sagging. In other words, it stimulates collagen production, leads to skin resuscitation, and activates metabolism. It is also called "Hot spring for rejuvenation" because it is expected to have an anti-aging effect on the skin, making it taut and moisturized.
Sulfate ions also have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and thus relieve pain and inflammation such as cuts, joints, and muscular pain. Therefore, Sulfate springs, like Chloride springs, are also called "Hot spring for cuts".
Calcium ions also have the effect of regulating the contraction and dilation of blood vessels, contributing to the stabilization of blood pressure. In other words, by stabilizing blood vessels, blood circulation in peripheral areas (e.g., hands and feet) where blood flow tends to be sluggish is promoted, and Peripheral circulatory disturbance and Sensitivity to cold can be improved. Furthermore, it is effective in improving skin dryness because it replenishes moisture to Dry skin. These effects regulate the autonomic nervous system, affecting stress reduction and mental stability, and contribute to the improvement of Depression.

Note the components that do not appear in the name of the spring.
The Fluoride ions are contained at 4.2 mg/kg per kg of spring water, which is more than twice the standard value (2 mg) for hot spring qualification. Well known as a substance effective in preventing tooth decay, the hot spring is also considered effective in treating and preventing skin diseases because of its antibacterial effects, particularly in inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
In addition, it helps to moisturize the skin and promote metabolism, and trace amounts of fluoride absorbed by the skin may promote skin metabolism and relieve dryness and inflammation.
And it also contains 12.0 mg of Metaboric acid per kg of spring water. This is more than twice the standard value (5 mg) for hot spring qualification. This component is said to have a cleansing effect, mainly in the prevention of acne.
Metasilicic acid is contained at 56.6 mg per 1 kg of spring water, which is more than standard value (50 mg). Metasilicic acid becomes silica gel when dried, a substance used as a desiccant. In short, it has a very high moisture effects, so it can be expected to retain moisture in places that have been exfoliated by the weak alkaline hot spring water. With more than 100 mg, the skin will feel even more moist after the bathing.

In addition, another great attraction of this inn is that it is officially recognized by the public health department as a drinking spring. The drinking spring is very valuable because it is required to pass very strict hygiene standards in order to be allowed to use the spring.
In some parts of Europe and the U.S., drinking mineral spring water is practiced as a form of medical treatment, and its health benefits are well recognized. However, when drinking, be careful not to exceed the specified daily limit (100-150 ml at a time, 200-500 ml per day).
The indications for drinking this hot spring by spring quality, which are common to both "Chloride spring" and "Sulfate spring", are Constipation. The sodium chloride stimulates the intestinal wall, and the calcium ions stabilize intestinal movement, allowing stool to pass smoothly through the intestines.
In addition, Atrophic gastritis is one of the indications for drinking "Chloride spring" by spring quality. Sodium chloride stimulates the gastric mucosa and promotes gastric acid secretion, while also protecting the gastric mucosa.
Other indications for drinking "Sulfate spring" by spring quality include Biliary dysfunction (sulfate ions promote bile secretion) and Hypercholesterolemia (calcium ions balance blood lipids).

The exfoliating effect of the Weak alkaline components and the skin revitalizing effect of the Sulfate spring fulfill the conditions for "Hot spring for beautiful skin". And as a side effect, the moisturizing effect of the coating effect of the Chloride spring and the cleansing effect of the Metaboric acid show how excellent the spring quality of "Kaminoyama Onsen" is.
At Arimakan, the baths in the public baths and some of the private baths are 100% free-flowing hot spring method, while other baths use a circulating filtration system in which new hot-spring water is poured into the baths while the chlorine is disinfected.
In bathtubs where an unspecified number of people bathe, it is necessary as an etiquette to rinse oneself before bathing, but even so, chlorine disinfection while circulating and filtering hot spring water is essential to keep the bathtub clean and hygienic.
Some hot spring enthusiasts sometimes criticize that circulating hot spring water dilutes the hot spring's components, but the source of Kaminoyama Onsen has a total of 2,389 mg/kg of cations + anions + non-dissociated components. Remember, this is 16 to 24 times more concentrated than the bath additive ingredients in some well-known common products on the market.

The public bath with free-flowing hot spring bath and bedrock bath are located on the first floor and in the basement, switching between men and women according to the time of the day.
The rooftop open-air bath is a symbol of the inn's popularity and offers a panoramic view of the city of Kaminoyama Onsen and the Zao mountain range.

They are quick to do what makes their customers happy. Such a basic attitude seems to be the motto here.
Not only are the hot springs of high quality, but the baths themselves are rich in variety, including a private bath inspired by the limestone terraces of "Hierapolis Pamukkale" a World Heritage Site in Turkey, the barrier-free private bath "Yawaragi", and a standing private bath.
The inn's popular rooftop open-air bath changes its appearance to a private open-air bath at night.
Thus, there are five private baths in total.

It is suitable for a celebration or anniversary trip, or just a fun vacation among friends. The inn is full of fun and memorable elements.
In addition, one of the joys of a ryokan is the food. The inn's style is to insist in-room service. Taking the food to each room is time-consuming, but for those who prefer to enjoy their meals in the comfort of their own guest room, this ryokan dares to maintain the "in-room meal" policy.

The atmosphere inside the inn, which is filled with a cheerful ambience in a quiet and remote Tohoku-like atmosphere, is comfortable and allows you to relax without any worries. Considering the room rate, you will be astonished at the cost-performance ratio, and the fact that you can relax so much at a price in the 10,000-yen range is a sign of the inn's conscientiousness. Travel Journal