High Cholesterol & Onsen | Sulfate, Iodine & Sulfur Spring Drinking Indications

Gushing forth in the Yufuin Onsen area at the foot of Mt. Yufu, the Yufuin Yubel Hotel No. 1 Spring embodies the town's spirit. Yufuin, one of Japan's most famous hot spring resorts, has a history of avoiding boisterous development, instead cultivating a tranquil retreat where pastoral landscapes meet art. This alkaline simple spring, with its low-irritant properties, is a perfect expression of that philosophy. The soft, pH 8.5 water gently envelops the skin, leaving it feeling smooth and refreshed after bathing. It is a fine spring that offers a peaceful escape for those seeking to unwind both body and soul.

Known for some 1,700 years and said to be one of Takeda Shingen's hidden baths, Umegashima is a mountain toji village at the head of the Abe River. The city manages the spring and distributes it to the inns. Clear yet scattered with white yunohana, its pH 9.4 alkaline water feels silky and slippery, long praised as a "bath that makes beauties" and ideal for slow, lukewarm soaks.

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.

The No. 2 Distribution Station spring is one of the sources Yuzawa town manages and pipes to inns in Echigo-Yuzawa, the snow country made famous by Kawabata's novel. The No. 2 spring emerges at a hot 55.2°C; though a gentle simple spring with 755.1 mg/kg of total components, it carries 322.1 mg/kg of chloride. Weakly alkaline at pH 7.9 and nearly odorless, it feels soft and clinging on the skin, and suits anyone wanting an unfussy, warming soak after skiing or watching the snow.

Tobira Onsen lies deep in the Utsukushigahara highlands up the Susukigawa valley from Matsumoto, within Yatsugatake-Chushin Kogen Quasi-National Park. Its name comes from the legend that the god Ame-no-Tajikarao, who pulled open the heavenly rock door, rested in these waters and left the door behind, and the spring has long been called a bathing place of the gods. Hinoki-no-Yu is a drilled, naturally flowing alkaline source of around 40°C, rich in sulfate with calcium and sodium in near-equal balance, suited to quiet soaks beside a mountain stream.

Said to have soothed people since the Ainu era, Bankei's water once welled up naturally along the Osaru River. Today natural riverside springs and wells drilled in the Showa and Heisei eras are blended and piped by the town; the 70°C water is cooled to bathing heat, staying clear and soft on the skin.

Amagase Onsen is one of Bungo's three great hot springs, alongside Beppu and Yufuin. The Ukihabekan Shinshiyo source is drawn via a 150-meter deep powered drill from a hillside site. With over 1,300 years of history, Amagase's waters were mentioned in the ancient "Bungo Fudoki" chronicles and have long been cherished for therapeutic bathing. This source combines pH 8.9 alkalinity with sulfur properties, gently removing old skin cells for a smooth feel. You can enjoy a silky skin sensation after bathing, perfect for those seeking to refresh mind and body.

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.

Meto Onsen was discovered in the Meiji era and opened in 1904 as a secluded inn deep in the Tokachi mountains. The 58°C source flows naturally beside the Nukanan River and is cooled by a heat exchanger, never with added water, before reaching the tubs. Its pH 9.5 alkalinity and carbonate give a distinctly slick, silky feel. Clear with a faint hydrogen-sulfide scent, it suits those who want to soak at leisure surrounded by primeval forest and the sound of the stream.

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.

Nestled in Kasugai-cho, Fuefuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture, a region renowned for its grape cultivation, this gentle hot spring is a true blessing from the earth, cherished by locals for generations. Its lukewarm waters, around 36.3℃, offer a comfort that invites you to linger indefinitely. The soft, weakly alkaline water delicately envelops the skin, gradually releasing tension from the body's core. It's a soothing retreat for those seeking to alleviate daily fatigue and find deep relaxation in mild waters.

Shirahatage Genzen, located in Kusatsu Onsen and adjacent to Yubatake (Kusatsu's central hot-water field), is said to have been discovered by Minamoto no Yoritomo. Historically, it served as the stage for 'Jikan-yu' (timed bathing), supporting balneotherapy culture, and is truly considered the soul of Kusatsu. Its distinctive aroma and powerful waters, which feel as though they firm the skin, seem to awaken the mind and body from within. Surrendering to its embrace offers a pure moment to shed daily clamor and rediscover one's true self. This spring is a sanctuary for those seeking a fresh start and rejuvenation.

This spring in a deep valley near the source of the Yoshino River is said to have flowed since ancient times. After the old spring was submerged by a dam reservoir, it was found again by boring into the valley, and it still rises by its own pressure. It combines 2,127 mg/kg of bicarbonate with 920 mg/kg of chloride, and 142 mg/kg of free carbon dioxide gives it a fizzy, slightly sweet and faintly metallic taste. Thick mineral deposits crust the tub edges. At just over 39°C, it suits those who like to lose track of time in a lukewarm bath overlooking the gorge.

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.

Onsenmura No. 114, a chloride spring drawn from approximately 100 meters underground at Miyanoshita Onsen—one of Hakone's renowned Seven Hot Springs—carries a rich history. This area flourished as a therapeutic hot spring resort since the Edo period, evolving into an international destination during the Meiji era. The spring's unique feature is its gentle embrace, forming a 'salt veil' on the skin that slowly warms the body from its core. The restorative warmth lingers long after your bath, promoting deep relaxation for both mind and body. It is highly recommended for those seeking to soothe daily fatigue while immersing themselves in history.

This source is said to have been drilled by a former well-boring contractor on spare land beside his home, seeking water for his own recovery. From 1,200 m down it is piped straight into the bottom of the baths without touching air, so fine bubbles swirl constantly and cling to the skin. Faintly amber, with an iron scent and a hint of salt, its temperature around 40°C invites long, unhurried soaks for those who enjoy the fizzy touch.

Shima Onsen takes its name from the legend that it could cure "forty thousand ailments," and its hot water rises close to the bed of the Shinyu River. This blend gathers three springs, Takinoyu, Ryugu-no-yu and Asahi-no-yu, which emerge at over 76°C. It pairs the lasting warmth of a chloride spring with the softness of a sulfate spring, clear in color with a faint gypsum scent. Long cherished as a spring for the stomach, with a living tradition of drinking the water, it carries both the purity and the strength of a valley spring.

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.

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.

Biratori has bathed in cold mineral water since 1979, first trucking in water that seeped naturally across the river. In 2011 a 1,503 m borehole was sunk at Nibutani on the Saru River, a place that still carries Ainu culture, and tapped a new cold spring. At 12.1°C and a mildly alkaline pH 8.3, it holds 22.06 g/kg of minerals, led by 6,303 mg of sodium, 2,016 mg of calcium and 13,400 mg of chloride, close to seawater in strength. Clear, colorless and intensely salty, it feels like ancient sea water sleeping deep beneath Hokkaido.

Tōgō Onsen grew up on the shore of Lake Tōgō, where hot water is said to rise even from the lakebed, and together with Hawai Onsen across the water it forms a lakeside spa district. The blend of two sources emerges at 47.9°C, clear yet rich in both salt and sulfate, pairing a skin-wrapping warmth with a refreshing finish. It suits travelers who want to sink slowly into the water while the lake glows at sunset.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Counted among Kusatsu's historic "Twelve Baths" since the Edo period, Kunshi no Yu is said to have been named in the Kan'ei era and still bubbles up west of the Yubatake, toward Sainokawara. Flowing naturally at 64.7 liters per minute, its clear water carries drifting white mineral flakes and a gentle sulfur aroma that distills the essence of Kusatsu.

Takanoyu rises by its own pressure from a drilled well on the northern foot of Mount Asama, right beside the Agatsuma Line, and travels about 80 meters by pipe to the baths. Its signature is balance: chloride, sulfate and bicarbonate dissolve in nearly equal measure, so one soak offers the warmth of a salt spring, the softness of a sulfate spring and the smoothness of a bicarbonate spring. Iron leaves brown deposits on the spouts and turns the water a cloudy green-brown on contact with air, a generous spring made for chilly highland nights.

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.

The Oyu source of Shimofuro Onsen carries a sulfur scent so strong that the place name is said to come from the Ainu word "shumafura," meaning "smelly rock." Recorded as "Yumoto" on a Muromachi-period map and bathed in by a Nanbu domain lord in 1656, this pH 2.4 acidic water turns milky as its sulfur flakes swirl, leaving a brisk, tightening touch and a lingering saline warmth. It suits those who wish to steep quietly in a strong sulfur spring within a port town that once thrived as a herring fishermen's spa.

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.

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.

A new 'Wa-modern' current emerged in Noboribetsu Onsen's history in 2006. This distinctive spring, with its faintly fragrant sulfur, evokes a sense of travel, while its chloride and sulfate composition gently infuses the skin with rich warmth. The heat gradually permeates the body's core, offering a pleasant restorative warmth that endures post-bath. It is perfectly suited for those desiring deep relaxation for mind and body in a sophisticated ambiance, far from daily clamor.

Nestled at the foot of the Northern Alps in Okuhida Onsen-go, 'Fuku no Yu' (Spring of Fortune) is a blessed hot spring said to bring good fortune to its visitors. With a gentle, skin-friendly neutral pH of 7.2, its abundant bicarbonate ions wash away old skin cells, leaving your skin smooth to the touch. As you immerse yourself in the water, you'll feel the hustle and bustle of daily life fade away, accompanied by a faint scent of sulfur. This calm and pure spring embraces all who wish to reset their mind and body and gain new vitality.

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.

Esan Onsen Ryokan sits in Kashiwano, Hakodate, at the foot of the active volcano Mt. Esan, and keeps the air of a traditional healing inn. It is said to have begun when an earlier generation gathered the springs they found into a hand-dug basin, and today the naturally flowing source still pours from a single inlet into wooden tubs and over their edges. The water is nearly clear with a faint yellow-green tinge, a scent of iron and a sharp acidity, and white deposits form around the inlet. It is a strongly acidic sulfate spring rare in Hokkaido, and because the water is lukewarm the inn closes in winter.

This source rises in Konya Jigoku, a steaming "hell" of Myoban Onsen, one of the Beppu Hatto hot spring areas, where sulfur-rich fumaroles drift over the ground. With pH 2.9 and abundant sulfate, the bluish milky water turns grey in shadow and leaves a crisp, tightening touch on the skin. The scent of sulfur lingers long after bathing, making it a favorite for travelers who love cloudy, characterful waters and a refreshing soak.

The Hinazakura source is one of several springs pumped from the national forest at the far end of Nyuto Onsen, an area named for the crabs that live in its mountain streams. Here each bathhouse draws on its own source, so the waters share a type yet differ subtly in their minerals. Rare among Nyuto's milky springs, this one runs clear, with a slight silkiness, drifting white mineral flakes and a gentle sulfur scent that soothe the skin, a spring for anyone who wants to linger quietly above the beech forest.