Kawa no Yu

Analysis Unverified
川の湯
Spring of the Stream

Kawa no Yu rises along a mountain stream in the Nasu range, giving 96 litres a minute with no pump to help it. The waters around Omaru Onsen have been tended for more than two centuries, and in the Meiji era General Nogi Maresuke is said to have come each year to take the cure. It surfaces at 36.8°C — close enough to body heat that stepping in asks nothing of you. Almost colourless and clear, neither scented nor tasting of much, it holds 132.8 mg/kg of metasilicic acid and runs mildly alkaline at pH 7.54, leaving a slippery softness on the skin. It suits anyone who wants to steep a long while without overheating, losing track of time to the sound of running water.

AI Generated
SPRING TYPE
Simple Spring

Spring water that is gentle on the skin with a very low likelihood of irritation. Safe for bathing infants and those with sensitive skin.

See features & indications
Bathing indications
Autonomic instabilityInsomniaDepression
Definition :Total dissolved solids (excluding gases) below 1,000 mg/kg; water temperature 25°C or above.
Source: 環境省「あんしん・あんぜんな温泉利用のいろは」(監修:日本温泉気候物理医学会)Read full article
PH VALUE
7.5
Mildly Alkaline
Acidic ← 07 Neutral14 → Alkaline
Mildly alkaline (pH 7.5-8.5). Cleansing effects begin to appear, the entrance to "beauty spring" with smooth skin feel.
TEMPERATURE
36.8
Warm Spring
Mildly warm. Gentle on the skin and ideal for long soaks.
KEY MINERALS

The bar length shows how abundant each component is compared to thresholds that make it "distinctive" (therapeutic spring standards, beauty spring criteria, etc.).

Metasilicic acidSee detail
133 mg/kg

A natural moisturizer also used in skincare lotions. Forms a thin veil on the skin to reduce moisture loss after bathing.

Bicarbonate ionSee detail
53.1 mg/kg

Softens dead skin cells for a silky bathing feel.

Sulfate ionSee detail
107 mg/kg

Soothes the skin and gently improves circulation.

Magnesium ionSee detail
9.2 mg/kg

Transdermal absorption gently supports skin hydration and muscle relaxation.

Metaboric acidSee detail
0.4 mg/kg

A trace component with gentle antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action.

CHARACTER · COMPOSITION PROFILE
1234StimulationBactericidalSkin BeautyHeat RetentionRelaxation

Scores are calculated from mineral analysis data based on the Mineral Spring Analysis Guidelines (Ministry of Environment, Japan). They are unrelated to facility atmosphere or service quality.

USAGE
Free-Flowing Onsen
Pure spring water — no dilution, no recirculation
HeatedNo
DilutedNo
RecycledNo
FilteredNo
DisinfectedNo
AdditivesNo
Note

The temperature, pH and component values shown here are based on the hot spring analysis (source). Actual values in the bath may differ depending on heating, dilution, recycling and filtration. Please check current usage status at the facility.

SENSORY TEST
Color
ほとんど無色澄明
Smell
無臭
Taste
無味
EFFECTS
Spring-specific indications (bathing)
Autonomic instabilityInsomniaDepression
General indications (bathing)
High blood pressure (mild)Rheumatoid arthritisChronic pain or stiffness in muscles and jointsMuscle stiffness due to motor paralysisGastrointestinal dysfunction
Contraindications
Acute illness (especially with fever)Active tuberculosisMalignant tumorsSevere heart diseaseRespiratory failureRenal failureBleeding disordersSevere anemiaAny actively progressing illnessPregnancy (especially early and late stages)
BATHING TIPS
AI Generated

At 36.8°C this is a cool soak, so give it fifteen to twenty unhurried minutes to warm you through. Mildly alkaline at pH 7.54, it feels soft on the skin; a light rinse afterwards leaves you feeling clean rather than filmy.

EFFECT STORY
AI Generated

Mildly alkaline at pH 7.54 and carrying 132.8 mg/kg of metasilicic acid, this water smooths the surface of the skin — a good choice on a day you are after silky skin. At a cool 36.8°C it asks little of the nervous system, lending itself to the deep relaxation you might want at the end of a long day.

CAUTIONS
AI Generated

Avoid bathing with acute illness or fever, active tuberculosis, malignant tumours or serious heart disease. Even a cool bath tires you if drawn out too long, so break up a long soak with a rest.

※ See the analysis data below for detailed contraindications

ANALYSIS DATAView all analysis fields ▼

Source Info

Source name
Kawa no Yu
Spring type
Simple Hot Spring
Source temperature
36.8℃
pH
7.54
Flow rate
96 L/min
Flow type
自然湧出
Osmotic pressure
低張性

Analysis Document

Analysis date
2015-11-09
Analyst organization
一般社団法人 栃木県薬剤師会 検査センター
Registration No.
14栃薬第1号

Cations

Hydrogen ion H⁺
0.00 mg/kg
Lithium ion Li⁺
0.00 mg/kg
Sodium ion Na⁺
15.6 mg/kg
Potassium ion K⁺
6.1 mg/kg
Ammonium ion NH₄⁺
0.00 mg/kg
Magnesium ion Mg²⁺
9.2 mg/kg
Calcium ion Ca²⁺
34.0 mg/kg
Aluminum ion Al³⁺
0.00 mg/kg
Manganese ion Mn²⁺
0.00 mg/kg
Iron(II) ion Fe²⁺
0.00 mg/kg
Iron(III) ion Fe³⁺
0.00 mg/kg
Zinc ion Zn²⁺
0.00 mg/kg
Lead ion Pb²⁺
< 0.01 mg/kg
Strontium ion Sr²⁺
0.00 mg/kg
Barium ion Ba²⁺
0.00 mg/kg
Copper ion Cu²⁺
< 0.01 mg/kg
Cadmium ion Cd²⁺
< 0.01 mg/kg
Total cations
0.06 mg/kg

Anions

Fluoride ion F⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Chloride ion Cl⁻
2.0 mg/kg
Hydroxide ion OH⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Hydrogen sulfide ion HS⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Thiosulfate ion S₂O₃²⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Sulfate ion SO₄²⁻
107 mg/kg
Bicarbonate ion HCO₃⁻
53.1 mg/kg
Carbonate ion CO₃²⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Bromide ion Br⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Iodide ion I⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Hydrogen sulfate HSO₄⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Hydrogen thiosulfate HS₂O₃⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Nitrite ion NO₂⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Nitrate ion NO₃⁻
1.0 mg/kg
Dihydrogen phosphate H₂PO₄⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Hydrogen phosphate HPO₄²⁻
0.10 mg/kg
Phosphate ion PO₄³⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Arsenite ion AsO₂⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Sulfide ion S²⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Hydrogen metasilicate HSiO₃⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Metasilicate ion SiO₃²⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Metaborate ion BO₂⁻
0.00 mg/kg
Total anions
0.16 mg/kg

Undissociated Components

Sulfuric acid H₂SO₄
0.00 mg/kg
Phosphoric acid H₃PO₄
0.00 mg/kg
Arsenious acid HAsO₂
0.00 mg/kg
Metasilicic acid H₂SiO₃
133 mg/kg
Metaboric acid HBO₂
0.40 mg/kg
Total undissociated
0.13 mg/kg

Dissolved Gas

Free carbon dioxide CO₂
2.5 mg/kg
Free hydrogen sulfide H₂S
0.00 mg/kg
Total dissolved gas
0.00 mg/kg

Totals

Total dissolved substances
0.36 mg/kg
Component total
0.36 mg/kg
Evaporation residue
0.32 mg/kg

Usage

Heating
No
Dilution
No
Recycle / Filter
No
Additives
No
Disinfection
No

Indications & Contraindications

Bathing indications
Autonomic instability, Insomnia, Depression
General indications
High blood pressure (mild), Rheumatoid arthritis, Chronic pain or stiffness in muscles and joints, Muscle stiffness due to motor paralysis, Gastrointestinal dysfunction
Contraindications
Acute illness (especially with fever), Active tuberculosis, Malignant tumors, Severe heart disease, Respiratory failure, Renal failure, Bleeding disorders, Severe anemia, Any actively progressing illness, Pregnancy (especially early and late stages)

Drinking

Drinkability
Not drinkable
FACILITY INFO
AI draft (unverified)
Official site
Tattoo
No tattoosGuests with tattoos are strictly prohibited from using the facilities, in accordance with police guidance.
Private bath (Kashikiri)
Available
Bathing wear (Yuami-gi)
Free rental
About tattoos and onsen
Travelers with tattoos can still bathe comfortably in a private bath (Kashikiri) or a room with a private open-air bath.
Hours
Weekdays: 11:3015:00
Weekends & holidays: 11:3015:00
Last admission for day-use bathing is 14:30. Overnight guests can use the baths 24 hours, except during cleaning (10:00-11:30).
Closed days: Irregular holidays
Transit
Approx. 70 min by local bus (Kanto Bus) from JR Tohoku Shinkansen Nasushiobara Station (JR Tōhoku Shinkansen Nasushiobara Eki) (reservation required 2 days in advance, round trip 500 yen). Approx. 30 min by car from Tohoku Expressway Nasu IC (Tōhoku Jidōshadō Nasu IC).
Parking
Available, 30 spaces, free. *This is the Prefectural Oomaru Parking Lot (Ken'ei Oomaru Chūshajō) located just before the ryokan.
Day use fee
¥1,300Adult price. Children (3 years old to elementary school age) 1,000 yen. Includes face towel and bathing wear.
Facilities
Public BathOpen-air BathPrivate BathDrinking SpringGift ShopTea LoungeRest Area
House rules
No photography in the bath area
The facility is built on a slope, so there are many stairs. Please contact us in advance if you have difficulty walking.
Sources
This information may change without notice. Please contact the facility directly for accurate details.
How Long to Stay (Toji)
Start with 2 nights / 3 days

Japan’s Ministry of the Environment notes that even a short stay refreshes you. For a full therapeutic cure, around 2–3 weeks is the guideline.

More on toji length
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The descriptions, catch phrases, and translations on this page are generated by AI (Claude). pH, temperature, and component values are OCR-extracted from the official analysis report. Learn more