Onsen Q&A

Q: If an onsen is reheated or diluted with other water, does it stop being an onsen?

A: If an onsen is too irritating or not at an appropriate temperature for bathing, there are cases when it is heated or more water is added.

A: Onsen are good for your heath. However, that does not mean the qualities of the water or its temperature, alone, will have effects on your ailments. Also, the appropriate types of onsen and bathing procedures vary depending on your condition, so it is important to find an onsen that matches your physical condition and symptoms.

A: If you rinse off your body with normal (warm) water, the effects of onsen nutrients will also become diluted. However, with respect to extremely stimulating acidic springs or people with weak skin, it is a good idea to rinse off with normal (warm) water because overexposure may be a concern.

A: Hot water engages the sympathetic nerves, which stimulates your body's activity level. Warm water engages the parasympathetic nerves, which allows your body to rest. In other words, you should match the temperature of the water with your physical condition and goal. This may involve using hot water if you want to make your body more alert, or using warm water if you want to let your body rest. There are cases when it is best to avoid hot water depending on your condition and symptoms, so please be careful.

A: A combination of alcohol and onsen may cause blood circulation to become too efficient and place strain on your heart. There is also a possibility of cerebral anemia due to changes in blood pressure upon exiting the water. Please avoid onsen while drinking or after becoming intoxicated.

Q: Are onsen with colored water or particularly strong odors more effective than other onsen?

A: Onsen color and smell vary mainly depending on the type of onsen. Onsen with deep coloring or strong odors do not necessarily have more of an effect than other onsen. For instance, iron springs are colorless and transparent immediately coming to the surface, but turn a reddish-brown color and weaken after coming in contact with oxygen.

A: The variety of different onsen is endless. Although medicinal springs can be broadly divided up into nine different categories, even by looking at the composition of these springs, you will notice that no two are the same. The environment around the onsen also differs. As a result, the effects of produced by any onsen are unique to that onsen.

Q: Do the effects of an onsen become greater depending on the number of times you bathe in it?

A: Even though onsen may be good for your health, bathing in onsen too many times on the same day places strain on your body and produces opposite results. As a rule of thumb, consider bathing in onsen two to three times per day. Be sure not to forget to rest and hydrate your body during the intervals between bathing.

Q: Do the effects of an onsen become greater depending on the amount of time you spend bathing in it?

A: Long baths may result in hot or cold spells, and are generally not recommended. Although effects vary depending on the temperature of the water, bathing for periods so long that you lose significant amounts of sweat, your face becomes extremely red, or you feel palpitations should be avoided. If the water is very hot, you should try to avoid bathing for longer than two to three minutes.

A: Sodium bicarbonate springs and sulphate springs are said to have a particularly strong beautifying effect on the skin. Sodium bicarbonate springs remove dirt and make skin soft, leaving it with a smooth feel. On the other hand, the sulfur of sulphate springs softens and helps remove hardened dead skin and is effective against pimples and breakouts. The heat of the water also improves circulation and promotes metabolism, assisting with the elimination of waste products.

A: Drinking onsen water is an effective way to get the water directly into your system. However, since you'll be ingesting natural spring water, be sure to only ingest water at onsen which allow drinking, and carefully confirm the components and effects of the water. The components of onsen water change with time, so try to drink the fresh water coming from the mouth of the spring.