Explanations by Spring Quality

Hot spring for gout / Hot spring for all diseases to improve immunity / Breathing hot spring

Hot springs with more than 3 nanocuries / more than 30×10^-10（curie）/ more than 30 (one billionth of a curie unit) / more than 8.25 mache / more than 111㏃ (Becquerel) of radon（Rn）in 1 kg of hot spring water.
Commonly known as “Radium springs”.
If the radon content is more than 8.25 mache but less than 50 mache, it is called a “Weakly Radioactive springs”, and if the radon content is more than 50 mache, it is called a “Radioactive springs”.
The main characteristics of “Radioactive springs” is that, apart from “bathing” and “drinking” the hot spring water, one can also “breathe” radon, the gas emitted from the hot spring water, to benefit from its beneficial effects. The clear and colorless “Radioactive springs” have little stimulation to the skin, but the effect on the body as a whole is so powerful and wide-ranging that it is called the “Hot springs for all diseases”.
At first, by promoting blood circulation and activating metabolism, it is said to be effective in treating Hyperuricemia (gout) by increasing the speed of uric acid elimination. “Radioactive springs” are also known as “Hot springs for gout” because this is the only spring that is listed as indications for bathing by spring quality. The “Hydrogen carbonate springs" are indicated for "Hyperuricemia (gout)" only when used for drinking.
Also, “Radioactive springs” have an anti-inflammatory effect and can be expected to reduce inflammation and pain in joints, a symptom of Rheumatoid arthritis. Similarly, Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition in which the spine and joints harden, making it difficult to move, and the pain-relieving effects of the “Radioactive springs” are believed to be beneficial.
By the way, it is human nature to feel a little nervous when one hears the word radiation. In fact, it is true that it has a carcinogenic effect. However, it is simply a matter of the amount. For example, the incidence of cancer in residents living in areas where “Radioactive springs” are gushing out is almost the same as in those who do not have such springs. Or it is said that the incidence rate is lower. It has also been confirmed that there are no “Radioactive springs” in Japan that emit strong carcinogenic radioactivity. In other words, it is safe to assume that the amount of radioactivity in “Radioactive spring” is much less than the amount of radiation from an x-ray or other source. It has been proven that a very small amount of radioactivity has a positive effect on the human body and stimulates it. This is called the “hormesis effect”, and it is said to increase the immune system.
Radon is a gas produced by the alpha decay of radium. Radon (gas) released from the hot water is taken into the body through breathing, but is excreted after about three hours. Some bathhouses that try to absorb radon better in airtight baths call themselves “Radon hot springs”, but in reality, many do not make a clear distinction between “Radon hot springs” " and “Radium hot springs”. Another characteristics of “Radioactive springs” that, like “Carbon dioxide springs”, the efficacy of the spring deteriorates remarkably quickly. 　In other words, it is essential that the spring water be fresh and free-flowing. “Radioactive springs” are also prone to “hot spring fatigue” when the radon content is high. “Radioactive springs”, like “Hydrogen carbonate springs”, “Iron containing springs”, and “Iodine containing springs”, are rare in Japan.

• ■Old spring name・・・Radioactive spring (same as new spring name)
• ■Color of water・・・Clear and colorless
• ■Taste & Smell・・・Tasteless and odorless
• ■Water texture・・・Powdery feeling
  「Hydrogen carbonate ion is the main component」Powdery feeling
  「Sulfate type」Tingling feeling when acidity is strong
• ■Major hot spring inns・・・"Jizaikan" Tochiaomata Onsen, Niigata prefecture／"Izanro Iwasaki" Misasa Onsen, Tottori prefecture
List of inns with this spring quality