Depression & Low Mood | Onsen Bathing as Complementary Therapy

Kuronagi Onsen, a major source gushing from the Kuronagi River, a tributary of the Kurobe River, was discovered in 1645 by Tarozaemon of Otozawa Village. During the Edo period, it was renowned as a hidden hot spring of the Kaga Domain. Its colorless, transparent, and soft waters gently envelop the skin, warming the body to its core. After bathing, you feel surprisingly light, with a sense of rejuvenation from within. This blessed spring, whose waters are also delivered to Unazuki Onsen about 7 kilometers away, offers solace to those seeking to liberate mind and body amidst grand nature and rediscover their true self.

Myoban Onsen prospered in the Edo period through alum production and still keeps rows of thatched huts where yunohana sulfur flowers are made. Here the Okamotoya Ryokan source gushes naturally at 74.4°C in Myoban 3-kumi; colorless as it emerges, it turns a milky, bluish white once it meets the air in the bath. Its acidity gently loosens old skin cells, leaving a soft, light feeling afterward, and it suits anyone who wishes to steep in dense sulfur water amid mountain steam.

Gushing in the Kannawa Onsen area, one of the eight springs of Beppu, Japan's top onsen destination, the Akari no Yado Tougetsu Gensen is a relatively new source, drilled and pump-lifted for a facility that opened in 2019. It offers modern relaxation while inheriting the traditions of Kannawa, long-famed as a therapeutic spa area. With a neutral pH of 6.8, close to human skin, the water is gentle and suitable for everyone. Immersing yourself in these waters helps you forget the hustle and bustle of daily life, deeply relaxing both mind and body.

As its name "Asagiri no Yu" (Morning Mist Bath) suggests, this source gushes forth in a location overlooking the Yufuin Basin's magical morning mist. It is a private source nurtured by one of Yufuin's most historic establishments, founded in 1911. The alkaline simple spring is gentle on the skin. Its abundant metasilicic acid helps to wash away old skin cells, leaving your skin feeling silky smooth. It is a renowned spring perfect for days when you wish to quietly reset your mind and body at the foot of Mt. Yufu.

Struck in the 1980s from a deep well in downtown Obihiro, this spring carries plant-derived humic matter from beneath the Tokachi Plain. Its pale-brown water clings to the skin in fine bubbles within seconds, with a slick, almost webbed-hand smoothness typical of Tokachi's moor springs.

This hot spring embodies the enduring passion of pioneers, delivered from Kuronagi Onsen in the upper reaches of the Kurobe River to Unazuki Onsen, approximately 7km downstream, after arduous wooden pipe laying construction in Taisho 12 (1923). Gushing at an abundant rate of approximately 2,000 liters per minute, its colorless and transparent waters seem to embody the pristine clarity of the gorge itself. With a soft touch that gently envelops the skin, it slowly warms the body to its core. Ideal for those seeking to unwind their mind and body, embraced by nature, at the various inns and public bathhouses throughout the town.

Opened in 2004, Ohara Onsen in Kyoto's Ohara district offers a colorless, transparent spring nestled in a mountain village near renowned temples like Sanzen-in and Jakkō-in. Its signature feature is a gentle, soft texture that delicately envelops the skin. Immersing yourself in this weakly alkaline, smooth water amidst the ancient capital's tranquility will slowly release tension from your stiff body and mind. This onsen is perfect for those seeking serene moments surrounded by abundant nature, far from the daily hustle.

This is the water of a bathing retreat in a valley near the source of the Yosasa River, at the very end of the Nasu hot spring area. Legend says a great tengu found the springs here around 770, and the site once served as a training ground for mountain ascetics. Ai no Yu is drawn into a Meiji-era bathhouse whose name recalls that it was once the only mixed bath. Rising naturally at 85.3 L/min and brimming over the tub's edge, it suits those who want to lose track of time at a mountain toji retreat.

Gero Onsen counts among Japan's three famous springs, and legend holds that when its waters once vanished, a white heron alighted on the Masuda riverbank to reveal a new gush sent by the healing Buddha Yakushi. The Gero Onsen Koda pump station source gathers several centrally managed wells and sends them to inns across the Koda district. Its pH 9.4 alkaline water glides softly over the skin and lingers as a light, refreshed feeling afterward, soothing travelers who seek gentle rest.

Gero Onsen counts among Japan's three famous springs, and legend holds that when its waters once vanished, a white heron alighted on the Masuda riverbank to reveal a new gush sent by the healing Buddha Yakushi. The Gero Onsen Koda pump station source gathers several centrally managed wells and sends them to inns across the Koda district. Its pH 9.4 alkaline water glides softly over the skin and lingers as a light, refreshed feeling afterward, soothing travelers who seek gentle rest.

Hanamaki Minami Onsenkyo strings seven spas along the Toyosawa River south of Hanamaki. Yama no Kami Onsen, midway along it, takes its name from a shrine to the mountain deity. Fuku-no-yu is one of its wells, pumping a generous 226 liters a minute at about 42°C. Clear, faintly sulfurous and alkaline at pH 9.3, the water has a silky, clinging feel, made for unhurried soaks to the sound of the river.

This Radon-sen No. 1 source plays a key role as one of the "Ginsen" (Silver Springs) that color the history of Arima Onsen, one of Japan's three ancient hot springs. In contrast to the reddish-brown "Kinsen" containing iron, Ginsen is characterized by its clear, smooth feel. The water from this source is said to gently stimulate cells and vitalize the body as it's absorbed through breathing.

Namari Onsen, said to have opened some 600 years ago, is the single-inn spa of the Hanamaki Minami hot spring area. Legend tells of a white monkey bathing in water welling up at the foot of a katsura tree, remembered in the names of the Katsura-no-yu source and the naturally gushing Hakuen-no-yu rock bath. Fuji San Ryokan, founded in 1841, uses several sources bath by bath. This analysis covers a blend in which the cooler Shimo-no-yu is added to the hotter Katsura-no-yu to reach a comfortable temperature, feeding baths such as Shiraito-no-yu overlooking the Shiraito Falls. The weakly alkaline water feels smooth and invites deep relaxation to the sound of the river.

Originating from the fumaroles of Owakudani, born from the eruption of Hakone volcano approximately 3,000 years ago, this artificially developed hot spring began to be supplied to Sengokuhara and Gora by Hakone Onsen Kyokyu Co., Ltd. in Showa 5 (1930). Its renowned milky white waters, blended with naturally gushing spring water, offer a pleasant sensation that tightens the skin and a powerful restorative warmth that penetrates deep into the body's core. After bathing, you'll feel surprisingly refreshed and light. It's a perfect companion when you seek to feel the Earth's energy and achieve deep relaxation and rejuvenation for your mind and body.

Nestled in the scenic town of Matsuyama, this spring has long been cherished for relieving traveler fatigue, boasting robust eagle-like properties. The hypertonic chloride waters envelop the skin, smoothly expelling excess fluids and metabolic waste. The lightness after bathing and deep-penetrating warmth soothe the mind and body, freeing you from daily stress. Ideal for those with chronic stiffness or cold extremities, and perfect for weekend rejuvenation.

Obuki is the roaring source at the heart of the steaming geothermal field of Tamagawa Onsen, on the southern slopes of Hachimantai. Its output from a single vent is often said to be the largest in Japan, and the fumarole field around it has long produced mineral deposits and the rare hokutolite stone. Every bath in the spa draws on this one source, served either straight or cut with fresh water. At pH 1.13 the water tingles sharply on the skin while warming the body to the core, and it has welcomed long-stay therapeutic bathers for generations, a spring for those who want to meet nature at full strength.

Kinosaki Onsen's centrally managed mixed spring gathers water from several wells into a large storage tank, where its temperature is steadied before it flows through a looped pipe beneath the streets to the town's public bathhouses and inns. Managed as a shared resource by the Yushima property ward of Kinosaki, this faintly salty water wraps the body in warmth that lingers long after bathing, suiting travellers who stroll from bath to bath in yukata.

Motonoyu is the shared source of Hanashiki Onsen, welling up beside the confluence of the Shirasuna and Nagasasazawa rivers and managed by the local Iriyama Hanashiki property association. Legend says Minamoto no Yoritomo named the spa after mountain flowers reflected on the water, like a carpet of blossoms. The clear water carries a faint hint of sulfur, soothes the skin and lets warmth linger long after bathing, ideal for unhurried soaks to the sound of the mountain stream.

Gokuraku Gensen is a source for the iconic "Kinsen" (gold spring) of Arima Onsen, one of Japan's three ancient hot springs. It was once called "Negai no Yu" (Spring of Wishes) and its history is tied to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who had its waters channeled to his private bathhouse. The rich water, which turns a reddish-brown when exposed to air, has been cherished by therapeutic bathers for centuries. Its high salt concentration envelops the skin, providing long-lasting warmth after bathing. Steeping in this historic spring, you can feel the deep warmth that once soothed samurai warlords, offering a true escape from daily fatigue.

The Bandaiko source, which unexpectedly erupted from within the Bandai Sulfur Mine in 1970, now stands as Kusatsu's primary hot spring, boasting the largest output and supporting the town. Named with the wish for 'eternal prosperity' (万代), this powerful source was born in the mountains, far from the Yubatake (Kusatsu's central hot-water field). Its colorless, transparent waters deliver a stimulating tingle that awakens both mind and body, while its robust warmth permeates to the very core. This energetic spring is a perfect companion for those seeking liberation from daily routines and a crisp mental and physical rejuvenation.

Yakumo Onsen lies in forested hills along the Namarikawa River on the Oshima Peninsula. Water from Namarikawa Well No. 3 is rich in bicarbonate and chloride and carries over 410 mg/kg of free carbon dioxide. It carries a faint scent of iron and is concentrated enough for mineral crystals to float on the surface. Slightly salty, it warms the body to the core while leaving the skin moist and smooth, suiting those who want a long, unhurried soak in mineral-rich water to the sound of the river.

Nestled in the scenic town of Matsuyama, this spring has long been cherished for relieving traveler fatigue, boasting robust eagle-like properties. The hypertonic chloride waters envelop the skin, smoothly expelling excess fluids and metabolic waste. The lightness after bathing and deep-penetrating warmth soothe the mind and body, freeing you from daily stress. Ideal for those with chronic stiffness or cold extremities, and perfect for weekend rejuvenation.

Kinosaki Onsen's centrally managed mixed spring gathers water from several wells into a large storage tank, where its temperature is steadied before it flows through a looped pipe beneath the streets to the town's public bathhouses and inns. Managed as a shared resource by the Yushima property ward of Kinosaki, this faintly salty water wraps the body in warmth that lingers long after bathing, suiting travellers who stroll from bath to bath in yukata.

Kowakidani Onsen, once known as 'Kojigoku' (Small Hell) due to its fumaroles, was renamed in 1873 following Emperor Meiji's visit. This mixed spring, combining multiple sources developed since the late Meiji era, stands as one of Hakone's most iconic hot springs. Its waters envelop the skin in a comforting salt veil, delivering restorative warmth deep into the body's core. This mellow, historically rich spring is highly recommended for those seeking deep relaxation and a profound reset from daily life.

The Mandaiko source, originating from traces of past mining development, is deeply intertwined with Kusatsu Onsen's unique yumomi culture and its long history of toji (therapeutic bathing). Its highly acidic waters, among Japan's most potent, deliver a distinctive tingling sensation, awakening both mind and body and offering a sense of rejuvenation. The high-temperature blessings penetrate deep into the core, leaving you with a surprisingly light and refreshed feeling after your bath. We invite those seeking a genuine toji experience, a true escape from daily life to restore their mind and body, to discover the profound power of this spring.

The spring began in 1975, when a local farmer bored for hot water to warm his greenhouses and his own bath. Redrilled in 1999 to about 1,520 m, Well No. 2 now yields 73.6°C water: nearly colorless and clear, yet unmistakably salty, a dense sodium- and calcium-bearing chloride spring with a plain, sturdy character.

Temple records say this spring has flowed for more than 600 years, and the lords of the Akita domain and the travel writer Sugae Masumi are said to have bathed here. Travertine thousands of years old has been found nearby. Rich in sodium (1,794 mg), chloride (2,970 mg), calcium (318.9 mg) and bicarbonate (996.3 mg), it builds mineral crust on the tub edges. It is like a seasoned master of the old healing-bath tradition.

The Mandaiko source, originating from traces of past mining development, is deeply intertwined with Kusatsu Onsen's unique yumomi culture and its long history of toji (therapeutic bathing). Its highly acidic waters, among Japan's most potent, deliver a distinctive tingling sensation, awakening both mind and body and offering a sense of rejuvenation. The high-temperature blessings penetrate deep into the core, leaving you with a surprisingly light and refreshed feeling after your bath. We invite those seeking a genuine toji experience, a true escape from daily life to restore their mind and body, to discover the profound power of this spring.

Housen-no-Yu, a precious spring at Kusatsu Onsen, one of Japan's three most famous hot springs, has naturally gushed from bedrock for approximately 1200 years. Distinct from major sources like Yubatake and Bandaiko, this rare water gently envelops the skin with its sulfurous aroma. Its crisp quality offers a sensation of purifying both mind and body. After bathing, your skin will feel wonderfully silky, and the restorative warmth from deep within will invite deep relaxation, supporting overall rejuvenation. It is highly recommended for those seeking to escape daily life and reset themselves with a truly special hot spring experience.

The Kowakien Kyokyu Onsen is a steam-generated spring developed since 1949 to supply the Hakone Kowakien resort area. It utilizes geothermal heat from former fumarolic activity along the Kurumazawa stream, a tributary of the Jakotsu River, blending multiple sources and natural spring water. This source is widely distributed to the various facilities of the Hakone Kowakien resort, operated by Fujita Kanko, forming the foundation of the entire resort.

Rising near Lake Kuccharo, a famed stopover for migrating swans close to the Sea of Okhotsk, Hamatombetsu Onsen has long warmed this northern lakeside town. Sodium-rich, with chloride and bicarbonate in near balance, it offers both smoothness and lasting warmth, and its unusually high metaboric acid adds a distinctive character to this quiet lakeside spring.

The Yubatake source, naturally gushing from Kusatsu Onsen's iconic Yubatake (Kusatsu's central hot-water field), holds a distinguished history. During the Edo period, it was ranked as the highest-ranking Ozeki in the Onsen Banzuke, recognized alongside the Shirahata source as one of Kusatsu's two major hot springs. Its powerful, pH2 water, permeated with a sulfurous aroma, imparts a refreshing, tightening sensation upon the skin. A soak in this historic, renowned hot spring cleanses the body and mind, offering deep relaxation and rejuvenation from daily fatigue. It is a must-visit for those seeking to feel the energy of a historic hot spring and desire a complete refresh.

Kinosaki Onsen's centrally managed mixed spring gathers water from several wells into a large storage tank, where its temperature is steadied before it flows through a looped pipe beneath the streets to the town's public bathhouses and inns. Managed as a shared resource by the Yushima property ward of Kinosaki, this faintly salty water wraps the body in warmth that lingers long after bathing, suiting travellers who stroll from bath to bath in yukata.

This spring rises on a plateau wrapped in old-growth beech forest at the foot of Mt. Akita-Komagatake, the gateway to Nyuto Onsen. Unlike the milky sulfur springs that dominate the area, it is a brownish bicarbonate water that leaves the skin slippery and smooth, with a faint tart taste and a hint of iron. It is warmed in the deep-snow winter months, and invites a side-by-side comparison with the area's white sulfur waters while you take in fresh green or autumn leaves.

Yugawara Onsen is an ancient spa sung of in the Man'yoshu poetry anthology, and Oku-Yugawara, its innermost reach, is a quiet retreat wrapped in the Fujiki River gorge and deep greenery. Yugawara No.77 is a private source here, a calcium sulfate spring once called a gypsum spring. Its main components are 939.0 mg/kg of sulfate and 398.0 mg/kg of calcium; the water is clear and mild in taste and smell, yet carries a faint toasty note typical of sulfate springs. Soft and weakly alkaline, it clings gently to the skin and has long been valued for soothing cuts and skin troubles, suiting bathers who want a calm soak amid the greenery.

On the Dogashima coast of western Izu, famed for sculpted rocks and sea caves, two Nishina sources are blended at the town's distribution station and piped in. Calcium makes up about 70 percent of the cations and sodium about 30, while sulfate exceeds 90 percent of the anions: a classic Izu gypsum-type sulfate spring. Alkaline at pH 8.8 yet moderately rich at 2.290 g/kg, the 52.4°C water wraps a body chilled by Suruga Bay breezes, an honest water to sink into as the sea turns gold at sunset.

At the foot of Mt. Ontake, Yuya Onsen in Hida-Osaka is said to have served bathers for some three centuries, and locals still repeat the saying that carbonated spring water beats stomach medicine. Pumped from underground at around 12°C, the cold mineral water is rich in carbon dioxide and tastes like soda. Its iron content sends fine brown flakes drifting through the bath and gives the water a smooth, slightly slick feel. Carbon dioxide springs are rare in Japan, making this one a true local character.

Kyowa Onsen opened in 1969 in Aibetsu, a town known for mushrooms. Its two sources, Chojuyu and Kyowayu, rise from the same spot and carry more than 1,800 mg/kg of free carbon dioxide, a rarity in Hokkaido. Because boiling would drive off the gas and alter the minerals, the inn pours the source straight from the tap into a small tub and adds hot water to reach bathing temperature, letting it flow without recirculation. The iron-tinged, yellowish water leaves fine bubbles on the skin for a smooth feel.

Local lore says this spring was found after a dream of the dragon god of a nearby shrine declaring that hot water lay beneath Higashiasahikawa. Clear at the wellhead, its abundant iron oxidizes in air, turning the bath an ochre hue with a distinctly squeaky, metallic feel on the skin.

Nakabusa Onsen is a lone mountain inn in the Northern Alps, where legend says the general Sakanoue no Tamuramaro healed his wounded soldiers; a bathhouse opened here in 1821 alongside alum mining. With nearly 30 naturally flowing sources, each tub offers a different spring. This mixed spring feeds the Oyu bath, combining Mushiburo No. 1 and Konabetate and cooling the water by heat exchange and air rather than adding water. The alkaline water is silky enough to make the floor slippery, with a faint sulfur scent and valley views from the open-air tub.