Gastric & Duodenal Ulcers | Bicarbonate Spring Drinking Indication Explained

Lake Shikaribetsu, at about 800 m, is Hokkaido's highest natural lake. Hot-spring rights on its shore changed hands in the 1920s and an inn opened in 1931; natural outflows were used until around 1965, after which water was drawn from drilled wells. Clear at the source, it turns a cloudy yellow-green in the tub and stains the floor brown with mineral deposits. A faint sulfur scent, an iron-tinged carbonate taste and a smooth, slippery feel mark the water, and in winter an ice-top open-air bath appears on the frozen lake.

The Niseko-cho source is pump-lifted from the base of Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resort. Developed by the Hokkaido Chuo Bus Group, its colorless, clear waters are widely supplied to nearby hot spring facilities. Drawn from abundant natural forests, this spring offers a soft touch and provides restorative warmth, gently heating the body to its core. A subtle salt veil envelops the skin, leaving a lasting warmth that offers deep relaxation for bodies fatigued from outdoor activities. It is highly recommended for those seeking rejuvenation amidst grand nature.

Nukabira Gensenkyo spreads near Lake Nukabira on the east side of Daisetsuzan National Park, where each inn has its own source and all offer free-flowing water. Nukabira Onsen Hotel opened in 1929 as the Ryokan Fukushimakan, and the founding family still tends its bath. The source, which flows naturally on the grounds, is clear and nearly tasteless and odorless. With a balance of chloride and bicarbonate, it warms the body while feeling smooth on the skin. Two tubs, hot and medium, let you choose your temperature and linger in the mountain water.

Nukabira Gensenkyo began in the Taisho era when water hot enough to boil eggs was found deep in a primeval forest; the name is said to come from the Ainu word "Nukabira," a cliff shaped like a person. Kosenchi No. 1 flows naturally in the south district of the spa village, sustaining the free-flowing baths that the village's inns pledged together in their 2007 "Gensen Kakenagashi Declaration." Clear and nearly tasteless and odorless, the water is gentle on the skin and leaves a light, fresh feeling, suiting those who want to soak amid forest stillness, wild deer and starry skies.

The Shari Onsen source gushed from a 1,000 m borehole in 1976 beside the Shari River near the town center of Shari, the gateway to Shiretoko. Drilling began after a slope was spotted where snow melted first each spring, and the water has since been piped to local inns, a community rest house and nearby homes. Clear and pale brown like oolong tea, this moor water carries plant-derived humus, and its slippery touch leaves skin soft and smooth, gently easing the fatigue of travel.

A blessed spring gushing forth in Okuhida Onsen-go, nestled in the heart of the Northern Alps. With a long history of healing the minds and bodies of travelers and bathers, this source is renowned as a 'silky skin spring' due to its abundant bicarbonate ions that smooth the skin. As you immerse yourself, the faint scent of hydrogen sulfide will help release you from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It is recommended for those who wish to refresh both mind and body and seek deep tranquility in nature.

Ikaho is an ancient spa praised in the Man'yoshu poetry anthology. In the Warring States era its stone-step street was laid out as a healing retreat for soldiers wounded at Nagashino, and the koma-guchi system that divides the spring water among the inns survives today. Kogane-no-yu rises clear, but its iron oxidizes in the air and tints the water tea-brown, as its golden name suggests. This neutral water rich in sulfate and bicarbonate warms the body to the core and has long been called a spring for fertility. It is a bath that carries Ikaho's history itself.

Kuroyu is one of four springs of differing character that rise within about 50 meters of one another at Yunotai, said to be the oldest bathing ground of Nyuto Onsen. Long called the "warm-pool spring" and the "spring of fertility," it has the highest chloride content of the four, so a soak warms you to the core and the heat lingers long afterward. The cloudy, sulfur-scented water comes up hot and is tempered with fresh water in some seasons, a robust spring that shows its true worth during deep-snow winter stays.

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.

This is one of the most well-known sources in Noboribetsu, a leading onsen destination in Hokkaido. It continuously flows at a high temperature of 96.5°C, embodying the raw power of the earth. The highly acidic water, with a pH of 2.2, provides a tingling sensation on the skin and a refreshing feeling after bathing. Its rich iron and sulfate content offers a powerful bathing experience that feels as if it's awakening both mind and body. It's a spring for those who wish to reset from daily fatigue, gain new vitality, and feel nature's energy throughout their entire being.

Namegawa Onsen, one of the eight hot springs of Yonezawa, is a mountain healing retreat in the Azuma range said to have opened in the Edo period with permission from the Uesugi domain. The Uenoyu source gushes beside the Maekawa stream, its bluish milky-white water carrying a gentle scent of sulfur. The water feels weighty and smooth, leaving the skin soft and light after bathing. Deep in the mountains, it suits those who want a quiet soak to the sound of the gorge.

Said to have been found by gold prospectors some four centuries ago, this lukewarm source rises beside a mountain stream deep in the Iide range. Bath huts stood here by the late Meiji era, when visitors walked hours along forest trails to reach it. Carbon dioxide drives the water up from a drilled well, periodically sending a column of spring water into the air. Its tea-brown water tastes bitter and faintly of iron, rewarding those who seek remote, unhurried soaks.

Nigoriyu bubbles up beside the Seri River in Nagayu Onsen, a village famed for carbonated springs, and was once known as the "high-temperature Ramune spring." Clear at the source, its iron content oxidizes into a tea-brown cloud in the bath, giving the spring its name. Around 40°C, the water lingers on the skin with fine bubbles and a silky, clinging feel, suiting bathers who want a long, gentle soak.

Hirayu Onsen, nestled deep within Okuhida Onsenkyo and embraced by the Hida Mountains, is an ancient hot spring said to have been discovered by Takeda Shingen's defeated warriors. Its waters, rich in chloride and bicarbonate springs, gently refine the skin, promoting a silky skin sensation, while delivering restorative warmth deep into the body. This pleasant warmth lingers long after your bath, feeling like a blessing from the mountains. It is highly recommended for those seeking deep relaxation and a respite from daily life while admiring the Northern Alps, or for hikers wishing to soothe their weary bodies.

Gushing in the Kitahama area, the heart of the Beppu Onsen region renowned for Japan's largest hot spring output, this private source has a rich history. The area flourished as an entertainment district for therapeutic bathers since a regular sea route to Osaka was established in the Meiji era. The Beppu Onsen Hotel Koraku source is uniquely characterized by its dual nature as both a bicarbonate and a chloride spring. Steeping in its waters gently exfoliates the skin while a fine veil of salt locks in moisture, leaving you with a silky feel and a restorative warmth that lingers long after your bath.

Ikaho is an ancient spa praised in the Man'yoshu poetry anthology. In the Warring States era its stone-step street was laid out as a healing retreat for soldiers wounded at Nagashino, and the koma-guchi system that divides the spring water among the inns survives today. Kogane-no-yu rises clear, but its iron oxidizes in the air and tints the water tea-brown, as its golden name suggests. This neutral water rich in sulfate and bicarbonate warms the body to the core and has long been called a spring for fertility. It is a bath that carries Ikaho's history itself.

Ryujin Onsen is an ancient spa said to have been discovered by the ascetic En no Gyoja and opened by Kobo Daishi after a dream of the dragon king Nanda; in the Edo period it was a favored retreat of the lords of Kishu. Shimo-no-yu flows naturally beside the Hidaka River, and its bicarbonate-rich water gently lifts away old skin, leaving a silky feel. Counted among Japan's three great beauty springs, it has long welcomed travelers seeking smoother skin.

Tokachigawa Onsen is famed for its "moor" water, which rises through layers of ancient plant deposits and was named a Hokkaido Heritage in 2004. This source blends three wells at the town's distribution station and is piped widely to inns along the river. Its faint amber water feels soft thanks to humic matter and bicarbonate, leaving skin moist, while the chloride content holds the warmth, a spring for those who want to warm up deeply under the clear skies of the Tokachi Plain.

Togatta Onsen is said to date back to the early Edo period, growing along the Matsukawa River that flows from the Zao range. This high-temperature well holds 296.0 mg of sodium, with bicarbonate (320.3 mg), sulfate (224.5 mg) and chloride (196.9 mg) in nearly equal shares. With 117.2 mg of metasilicic acid it feels silky on the skin. Wrapped in brown mineral flakes, it is like a quiet, wise elder of the forest.

This port-town spring is drawn from 1,150 m beneath the First Pier of Shinko, reclaimed land surrounded by the sea on three sides in Kobe Port. Bicarbonate, the soda component, blends with sea-born salt, smoothing the skin while keeping you warm long after bathing. Close to body temperature at 37°C when it emerges, it is a gentle, neutral, pale-yellow water.

Ikaho is an ancient spa praised in the Man'yoshu poetry anthology. In the Warring States era its stone-step street was laid out as a healing retreat for soldiers wounded at Nagashino, and the koma-guchi system that divides the spring water among the inns survives today. Kogane-no-yu rises clear, but its iron oxidizes in the air and tints the water tea-brown, as its golden name suggests. This neutral water rich in sulfate and bicarbonate warms the body to the core and has long been called a spring for fertility. It is a bath that carries Ikaho's history itself.

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.

The Shiroyu source is one of four springs of differing character that rise within about 50 meters of one another at Yunotai, said to be the oldest bathing ground of Nyuto Onsen, where records of a spa date back to the Edo period. Long called the "beauty spring" and the "spring for chills," it bubbles up beneath an open-air bath and is also piped to nearby lodgings. Its bluish, cloudy water carries a gentle sulfur scent and a soft, smooth touch, leaving skin supple and warmth that lingers long after a soak, a spring for anyone who wants to unwind slowly in the beech forest.

Struck in 1979 by a local shopkeeper who drilled 1,020 meters beneath the port town of Shari, at the base of the Shiretoko Peninsula, this source rises through the peat beds under the Shari Plain. That journey gives it plant-derived humic matter and a pale amber tint, placing it among Hokkaido's celebrated moor springs. Bicarbonate makes the alkaline water feel soft, while a faint saltiness hints at the nearby Sea of Okhotsk. It has long served locals and working travelers as an unpretentious everyday bath.

Tokachigawa Onsen is famed for its "moor" water, which rises through layers of ancient plant deposits and was named a Hokkaido Heritage in 2004. This source blends three wells at the town's distribution station and is piped widely to inns along the river. Its faint amber water feels soft thanks to humic matter and bicarbonate, leaving skin moist, while the chloride content holds the warmth, a spring for those who want to warm up deeply under the clear skies of the Tokachi Plain.

Drawn from 700 meters beneath the center of Oita City, this private source is a true urban oasis. The Ariston Hotel Oita source boasts a pH of 8.6 and abundant bicarbonate ions, which gently exfoliate the skin, leaving it remarkably smooth. Its amber-hued waters invite deep relaxation, melting away the day's fatigue. It is perfect for those seeking to refresh and rejuvenate after a day of business or sightseeing.

Kamioka Onsen flows on its own, without pumps, from a 170 m well drilled in 1957 in Beppu's Kannawa district. A 2025 analysis recorded 89.5°C and pH 9.0: an unusual alkaline sulfur spring in a town known for acidic sulfur waters, its sulfur dissolved as hydrosulfide ions rather than gas. Sodium 228.0 mg/kg, bicarbonate 279.0 mg/kg, sulfate 184.0 mg/kg and metasilicic acid 339.0 mg/kg give a clear water with a faint sulfur scent and a quiet, deeply comforting character.

Horoka Onsen lies in the mountains east of the Daisetsuzan range, north of Lake Nukabira, and is said to have been found in 1928 during pulpwood logging. Springs A to F dot the valley and hillside, and Source E has long been nicknamed the '硫黄泉' bath. In fact it is a neutral sodium chloride-bicarbonate water holding 247.5 mg/kg of free carbon dioxide, smooth on the skin with a gentle salty taste. It suits travellers who want a quiet, unhurried soak deep in the forest.

This private source gushes in the Kitahama district, part of Japan's premier onsen resort, Beppu, overlooking the bay. Located in an area that has long flourished as an entertainment district, this spring has soothed countless travelers. Combining the qualities of a bicarbonate and a chloride spring, its waters gently exfoliate the skin while a veil of salt locks in moisture. After bathing, you can enjoy a unique texture that is both silky and deeply hydrated. It is a renowned spring perfect for releasing mind and body while feeling the Beppu sea breeze.

Nestled in Noboribetsu Onsen, famously called the "Department Store of Hot Springs" and rooted in the Ainu "Nupur-pet" (deeply colored river), the historic "Uma no Yu" source has flowed since Taisho 6 (1917). Its faint sulfur aroma gently unwinds the mind and body. The waters, softly enveloping the skin, warm the body to its core, providing restorative warmth that lingers. Overlooking a beautiful Japanese garden, this tranquil spring offers deep relaxation, a serene escape from daily commotion.

Ikaho is an ancient spa praised in the Man'yoshu poetry anthology. In the Warring States era its stone-step street was laid out as a healing retreat for soldiers wounded at Nagashino, and the koma-guchi system that divides the spring water among the inns survives today. Kogane-no-yu rises clear, but its iron oxidizes in the air and tints the water tea-brown, as its golden name suggests. This neutral water rich in sulfate and bicarbonate warms the body to the core and has long been called a spring for fertility. It is a bath that carries Ikaho's history itself.

Nestled quietly in the mountainous region of Toyama Prefecture, Ogawa Onsen gushes forth. This naturally gushing spring, cherished by locals for generations, delivers the pure blessings of the earth. Its mild, neutral waters gently embrace the body, while a subtle veil of salt ensures a restorative warmth that lingers. Guests will also experience the benefit of silky skin, feeling remarkably light and refreshed after their soak. It is highly recommended for those seeking deep relaxation from daily fatigue, and those desiring gentle comfort for cold sensitivity or gastrointestinal discomfort.

Gushing forth in Beppu, one of Japan's premier hot spring resorts, this water has long moisturized the skin of spa-goers. With a weakly alkaline pH of 8.2, the water gently envelops the skin like a beauty serum, softening it for a smooth feel. After bathing, you'll notice a supple texture and a warmth that radiates from your core. It's a healing spring, perfect for those seeking to reset mind and body away from daily life, or for anyone concerned about dry skin.

This is a newly drilled source in the Yufuin Onsen area, which boasts one of the largest outputs in Japan. Nestled at the foot of Mt. Yufu, this hot spring resort has long been cherished for therapeutic bathing. The AMBER Yufuin source features a high alkalinity of pH 8.9, combining the qualities of a bicarbonate spring that smooths the skin by removing old keratin, and a chloride spring that helps retain body heat. It is particularly characterized by its abundance of metasilicic acid, a natural moisturizing component.

This blessed spring gushes from 250 meters beneath the natural splendor of Oku-Hida. The water, a blend of abundant bicarbonate ions and metasilicic acid, feels silky smooth on the skin and has long been cherished as a 'beauty spring.' After bathing, you'll notice your skin feeling moist and smooth, with a warmth that lingers from your core. This spring is a gentle companion for those seeking a moment of peace to unwind both mind and body from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Usuki Onsen was drilled to 1,300 m near the old castle town of Usuki, long known as a place without hot springs. Formerly called a "bicarbonate-salt spring", it emerges colorless and clear with a faint salty taste. Its weakly alkaline bicarbonate softens the skin surface for a remarkably slippery feel, while the chloride keeps warmth lingering after the bath. It suits travelers who want to warm up gently after strolling the stone Buddhas and castle-town lanes.

Iwanai Onsen spreads across the heights of Iwanai, a town facing the Sea of Japan, at the foot of Mt. Iwanai in the Niseko range. The town-owned Well No. 5 is pumped at a generous 290 L per minute and supplied to inns such as Takashima Ryokan below. The water is clear and nearly tasteless and odorless, with a balance of bicarbonate and chloride, and its smooth touch has earned it a reputation as a skin-beautifying bath. At Takashima Ryokan the source flows straight into the indoor bath and a wooden outdoor tub, where fine bubbles rise through the fresh water.

Ikaho is an ancient spa praised in the Man'yoshu poetry anthology. In the Warring States era its stone-step street was laid out as a healing retreat for soldiers wounded at Nagashino, and the koma-guchi system that divides the spring water among the inns survives today. Kogane-no-yu rises clear, but its iron oxidizes in the air and tints the water tea-brown, as its golden name suggests. This neutral water rich in sulfate and bicarbonate warms the body to the core and has long been called a spring for fertility. It is a bath that carries Ikaho's history itself.

Hot springs opened on the shore of caldera Lake Shikotsu in 1915, and until a road was built the area could be reached only by boat. It is known for a pool where water wells up through the gravel underfoot, and several sources of the same spring type flow nearby. At 50.3°C, the No. 1 Well is among the hottest. Chloride, bicarbonate and sulfate dissolve in balance, rich enough to build mineral deposits around the spout, suiting anyone who wants to warm up quietly while gazing at the lake.

Found near the Saga Yamato Interchange, "Yamato no Yu" stands as one of Kyushu's premier high-concentration carbonated springs. This source boasts an impressive 1600mg/kg of carbon dioxide gas, significantly surpassing the legal definition for a carbon dioxide spring of 1000mg/kg. Fresh, pump-lifted water is directly supplied, ensuring its purity. As you immerse yourself in the lukewarm bath, countless silver bubbles envelop your skin, their gentle effervescence stimulating circulation throughout your body. It's an ideal hot spring for those seeking deep relaxation and rejuvenation for both mind and body.