Explanations by Spring Quality

"Hot spring for strokes", "Hot spring for cuts", "Hot spring for skin revitalization and beauty"

Hot springs with 1,000 mg or more of dissolved substances (excluding gaseous substances) in 1 kg of hot spring water, and with Sulfate Ions(SO₄^2-)as the main anionic component.
Sulfate ions have bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects, which help relieve pain and inflammation such as cuts, arthritis and muscle pain. Therefore, “Sulfate springs”, like “Chloride springs”, are also known as “Hot springs for cuts”.
It is also called “Hot springs for strokes” because of its ability to dilate blood vessels and deliver more oxygen to the blood.
This promotes blood circulation in peripheral areas (e.g. hands and feet), where blood flow is easily blocked, helping to improve Sensitivity to cold and Peripheral circulatory disturbances. This improved circulation and calming effect help regulate the autonomic nervous system, contributing to stress reduction, mental stability, and improvement of Depression. Furthermore, “Sulfate springs” softens the stratum corneum of the skin, allowing dry skin to retain moisture, which helps improve Dry skin conditions. In other words, it stimulates collagen production, promotes skin rejuvenation, and activates metabolism. By making the skin more elastic and moisturized, it is expected to have an anti-aging effect, which is why it is also called “Hot springs for rejuvenation” and “Hot springs for beautiful skin”. When drinking, it also contributes to the prevention of gallstones and Biliary system dysfunction by supporting liver function and promoting bile secretion through the action of sulfate ions. It improves bile flow and promotes cholesterol metabolism, helping to improve Hypercholesterolemia. Additionally, it has a softening effect on stools and stimulate intestinal peristalsis, which is effective in improving Constipation.
“Sulfate springs” is classified according to the main component of cations as follows.
(1) Sodium-Sulfate Springs (old name: Glauber's salt springs) → “Hot springs for cuts” and “Hot springs for rejuvenation”
Sodium ions have heat retaining and bactericidal effects. By warming the body, they improve peripheral circulation and relieve Sensitivity to cold and Depression. Combined with sulfate ions, which promote collagen production and have an anti-aging effect, they promote skin metabolism, prevent Dry skin, and speed up the recovery of Cuts and wounds.
When drinking, sodium ions help digestive functions, and sulfate ions improve Constipation by stimulating intestinal movement. Sulfate salts also stimulate the secretion of bile, which contributes to the improvement of Biliary dysfunction and Hypercholesterolemia.
(2) Calcium-Sulfate Springs (old name: Gypsum springs) → “Hot springs for beautiful skin” and “Hot springs for strokes”
Calcium ions help the adjust contraction and dilation of blood vessels and contribute to stabilizing blood pressure. In other words, by stabilizing blood vessels, Peripheral circulatory disturbance and Sensitivity to cold can be expected to improve. Additionally, calcium ions assist in skin keratin formation, which is effective in improving Dry skin. The combination of calcium ions, which promote skin regeneration, and sulfate ions, which increase skin elasticity and prevent wrinkles and sagging, elicits skin beautifying effects. When drinking, calcium ions stabilize intestinal function, while sulfate ions promote bile secretion, thereby helping to improve Biliary system dysfunction. Calcium also contributes to the prevention of Hypercholesterolemia by balancing blood lipids.
(3) Magnesium-Sulfate Springs (old name: Real bitter springs) → “Hot springs for strokes” and “Hot springs for rejuvenation”
Magnesium ions dilate blood vessels and promote blood flow, contributing to the improvement of Peripheral circulatory disturbance and Sensitivity to cold. They also have a calming effect on stress and relieve Depression. Additionally, magnesium ions strengthen the skin’s barrier function and increase its moisturizing ability. At the same time, sulfate ions promote skin turnover (metabolism), allowing old keratin to be smoothly removed and new skin to be regenerated in a healthy manner, thereby improving Dry skin. When drinking, magnesium ions promote bowel movements and relieve constipation. Sulfate ions also promote bile flow and improve Biliary system dysfunction and Hypercholesterolemia.

• ■Old spring quality name・・・Sulfate springs with the same name as the new spring
• Color of hot water・・・Clear and Colorless
• ■Taste & Smell・・・
  「Sodium-Sulfate springs」Medicinal, bitter and odorless
  「Calcium-Sulfate springs」Bitter and odorless / Bitter and burnt smell
  「Magnesium-Sulfate springs」Bitter and odorless
• ■Water texture・・・Soft and gentle touch
• ■Major hot spring inns・・・"Chigira Jinsentei" Ikaho Onsen, Gunma Prefecture／"Bettei Senjuan" Tanigawa Onsen, Gunma Prefecture／"Umi-no-Hoteru Isaba" Heda Onsen, Shizuoka Prefecture／"Muso-An Biwa" Toi Onsen, Shizuoka Prefecture／"Hozue-no-Toki" Toi Onsen, Shizuoka Prefecture／"Fugaku-Gunjo" Toi Onsen, Shizuoka Prefecture／"Mayu-Futahari" Dogashima Onsen, Shizuoka Prefecture／"Ohanami-Kyubei" Yamanaka Onsen, Ishigawa Prefecture
List of inns with this spring quality