TRAIN ONSEN Travel Journals to Hot Springs in Japan

 

About the spring quality

The classification of recuperation spring quality is as follows.

Simple hot spring

The onsen ingredients is less than the value specified by Japanese law, but the temperature of water is 25℃ (77℉) or more. Generally, it feels mild and has no features. (Colorless, transparent, no taste and no odor.) This spring quality is also many in the "Famous Onsen".

Chloride spring

The old name of this spring quality is "salt spring". And it is the most common in Japan. Generally, the water is colorless and transparent. It is said that salinity reduces sweating and keeps the body warm. So it's called "Onsen of Heat".

Sulfate spring

This spring quality includes "sulfuric acid salt spring", "saline spring", "gypsum spring", "magnesium sulfate spring" and "alum spring". It is said that sulfate ions widen blood vessels and improve blood circulation.

Hydrogen carbonate spring

This spring quality includes "alkaline spring" and "earthy bicarbonate spring". It is said that, "alkaline spring" makes the skin smooth, "earthy bicarbonate spring" has a sedative effect and suppresses inflammation.

Carbon dioxide spring

Generally, the water of this spring quality includes carbon dioxide gas and has fine bubbles. It is said that carbon dioxide improves blood circulation.

Iron spring

The water of this spring quality often has a reddish brown or greenish color. It is said to be good for anemia because the water contains iron ions.

Sulfur spring

This spring quality includes "hydrogen sulphide spring". When the water comes in contact with air, it takes on yellow, white and various other colors. It is said that it has the effect of making skin beautiful. This spring quality is characterized by the "smell of rotten eggs".

Acid spring

The water of this spring quality has a unique acidity and irritates the skin. It is said to be very good for skin diseases because of its strong bactericida power.

Radioactive spring

This spring quality is said to be effective for various diseases, especially for gout. It is suitable for recuperation, and also called "Onsen for any diseases".

Iodine spring

This spring quality often originates from seawater. Iodine has a strong bactericidal power, and it is said to help lower cholesterol.

The following are not recuperation onsen. However, the Japanese law defines them as onsen. (by Attached Table of Article 2 of the Onsen Law)

Total iron ions

Out of the onsen water 1kg, total iron ions (Fe2+ and Fe3+) are 10mg or more and less than 20mg. (If 20mg or more, it falls into the category of "Iron spring".) It is said to be good for anemia.

Sodium bicarbonate

1kg of onsen water contains more than 340mg of sodium bicarbonate, but only less than 1000mg of onsen ingredients. (If onsen ingredients are 1000mg or more, it falls into the category of "Hydrogen carbonate spring".) It is often said that it has the effect of making skin beautiful.

Further, there are other various ingredients (ex. metasilicic acid) in "Attached Table of Article 2 of the Onsen Law", but we don't show the icon other than above.

 

About the liquid pH

Generally, alkaline water feels slimy like soap. And acidic water has a strong bactericidal power and irritates the skin.

Strong alkaline

pH 10 or more

Alkaline

pH 8.5 or more and less than pH 10

Weak alkaline

pH 7.5 or more and less than pH 8.5

Neutral

pH 6 or more and less than pH 7.5

Weak acidic

pH 3 or more and less than pH 6

Acidic

pH 2 or more and less than pH 3

Strong acidic

less than pH 2

 

About the water usage

Flowing

In all or many bathtubs, fresh onsen water is constantly flowing without circulation.

Flowing from the Source

In all or many bathtubs, fresh onsen water is constantly flowing without circulation.
And it is flowing directly from the source, without any additions or removals. (No disinfectants, bath additives, cold water, etc.)
However, it has been heated.

Flowing from the Source (a few)

In a few of bathtubs, (the rest is the same as above).
 

Flowing from the Source, Unheated (all)

In all bathtubs, fresh onsen water is constantly flowing without circulation.
And it is flowing directly from the source, without any additions or removals. (No disinfectants, bath additives, cold water, etc.)
And it has not been heated.

Flowing from the Source, Unheated (many)

In many bathtubs, (the rest is the same as above).
 

Flowing from the Source, Unheated (a few)

In a few of bathtubs, (the rest is the same as above).
 

In this site, "100% Flowing from the Source" has the same meaning as "Flowing from the Source, Unheated (all)".

 

About the osmotic pressure

Hypertonic

The onsen ingredients are 10g or more in 1kg of the water.

Isotonic

The onsen ingredients are 8g or more and less than 10g in 1kg of the water.

If the onsen ingredients are less than 8g, it is said that as "Hypotonic". But we don't show the icon in case of this.

 

About the springing

High spring water volume

The amount of spring water is large enough to supply a sufficient amount to each bathtub. (Judgment is subjective.)

Non-powered spouting after drilling

After drilling, the onsen water is spouting without the artificial power.

Natural spring

Without drilling, the onsen water is springing up naturally.

Natural spring in bathtub

Without drilling, the onsen water is springing up naturally. And the spring is in the bathtub.

Supplied naturally

The onsen water is supplied naturally to the bathtub from the spring without the artificial power and modern laying of the pipes.

 

About the another features of onsen water

Fine bubbles

Not artificial, the onsen water has fine bubbles. (We show the icon as "Artificial carbonated bath" in case of that bubbles are being made artificially.)

Color

Color of the onsen water. We don't show the icon in case of transparent or very light color.

Yunohana (Sinter)

The onsen water has yunohana. "Yunohana" are the precipitates of onsen ingredients. (The Japanese word "yunohana" means "flowers of hot water".)

Sulfur smell

You can smell hydrogen sulfide. (On this website, we refer to the hydrogen sulfide smell as "Sulfur smell" or "Sulfur aroma".)

Drinkable

You can drink the onsen water. We don't show the icon in case of that they are selling it in plastic bottles.

 

About the building

Important cultural property

The building of the facility is designated as a nationally important cultural property. When a prefecture designates it, we show it as "Prefecture designated important cultural property".

Tangible cultural property

The building of the facility is designated as a nationally tangible cultural property. When a prefecture designates it, we show it as "Prefecture designated tangible cultural property".

Registered tangible cultural property

The building of the facility is a registered tangible cultural property.

Precious architecture

It seems that the building of the facility has a value as a cultural property. (Judgment is subjective.)

 

About the setting of bath temperature

Very hot water

There is a bathtub that the temperature of water feels very hot. (As a rough guide, the temperature of water is 45℃ (113℉) or more.)

Lukewarm water

There is a bathtub that the temperature of the water feels lukewarm. (As a rough guide, the temperature of water is 31℃ (about 88℉) or more and less than 39℃ (about 102℉).)

We show the icon as "Cold water bath" when the temperature of water is less than 31℃ (about 88℉). These have no relation to the temperature of the spring.

 

About the kind of bath

If the facility has a bath corresponding to the above, we show the icon. "Semi-open-air bath" is the bath that has a ceiling and no wall in part.
"Jacuzzi etc." may be only part of the bathtub.

 

About the business of the facility

Relaxations, Beauty clinics

You can receive the relaxations or beauty clinics service in the facility. (ex. massage, cleansing, acupressure, body care, relaxations or the like)

Early morning

Bathing opens before 9:00 am. (It may only be on certain days of the week.)

Late at night

Bathing (or reception) closes after 10:00 pm.

Free of charge

General and adult bathing charge is free.

Low charge

General and adult bathing charge is ¥ 1 or more and ¥ 599 or less.

Credit card OK

You can use one to several credit cards.

Tattoo OK

The facility does not refuse you the bathing just because you have tattoos. (Some facilities may actually allow tattoos even if they have not announced it.)

Hitou

The facility is a member of HITOU - Japan Association of Secluded Hot Spring Inns. ("hitou" means secluded hot spring.) Other associations may be shown in the same way.

Gensen Yuyado

The facility is a member of Japan Association of GENSEN YUYADO. ("gensen yuyado" means traditional inn with hot spring source.)

 

About the history and literature

With history

The onsen-using has been started before 1600 AD (the beginning of the Edo era). Or in case of it is historically interesting, such as related to a historical event. (Judgment is subjective.)

Related to literature

It is deeply related to novelist, poets and other literature person. (Judgment is subjective.)

 

About the view

Good view

It has a good view. (Judgment is subjective.)

Sea view

You can see the sea well from the bathing room. We don't show the icon when it is difficult to see or too far away.

Lake view

You can see the lake well from the bathing room. We don't show the icon when it is difficult to see or too far away.

Night view

You can see a beautiful night view from the bathing room. (Judgment of whether beautiful or not is subjective.)

If something special can be seen, we show the icon according to the above.

 

About the environment

Onsen town

The facility is in or close to an onsen town. (Judgment of whether onsen town or not is subjective.)

Traditional cityscape

The facility is in or near a district that seems to be preserved the traditional cityscape. (Judgment is subjective.)

In nature

The facility is in nature. (Judgment is subjective.)

Seaside

The facility is close to the sea. (Judgment of whether close to or not is subjective.) However, we omit to show the icon when it is "Sea view".

Near the sea

The facility is near the sea. (Judgment of whether near or not is subjective.) However, we omit to show the icon when it is "Sea view".

Lakeside

The facility is close to the lake. (Judgment of whether close to or not is subjective.) However, we omit to show the icon when it is "Lake view".

Near the lake

The facility is near the lake. (Judgment of whether near or not is subjective.) However, we omit to show the icon when it is "Lake view".

If the facility is near something special, we show the icon according to the above.

 

About the transportation

Near the station

It takes to walk less than 15 minutes from the nearest station to the facility. (About less than 1.2 km (0.7 mi) on flat road.)

Pick-up

The facility has provided the pick-up service from nearest station. When they has provided it for only overnight guests, we don't show the icon.

• We do not guarantee that the service will be provided surely.
• When you use them, we recommend that you check with the facility for extra charges, reservations required, utility time, other conditions and the latest information.
• Even if there is no icon, they may be providing that service.
• The above descriptions are the original view of this site. These may differ from the general view.