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It
is said that the oldest hot springs in Japan date
back to 3000 years ago. As an indispensable part
of Japanese culture, taking a bath at an onsen
is enjoyed by people from all ages and all walks
of life in various parts of Japan. In ancient times
onsen was employed for the benefit of Buddhist priests
and aristocrats for entertainment and treatments
of illnesses.
A particular onsen features different healing
properties according to certain mineral elements
contained in the hot spring. Medically speaking,
all the hot springs containing these properties
are divided into nine types in Japan. Below is a
description of the respective types of hot springs
and their healing properties. |
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Carbonate
Spring |
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A bubble bath containing carbonic
acid, it keeps you warm in spite of its rather low
temperature. It contains less than 1gram of radical
carbon and other mineral elements in each liter.
Basically close to the Simple Spring water but as
you can guess from the name it is carbonated. Many
of them are low temperature and cold water springs.
Good for heart disease, blood circulation disorders,
neurological disorders, female disorders. |
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Saltine
Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate Spring |
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Good
for smooth skin, it is refreshing after taking the
bath. It is effective for gout, diabetes, kidney
diseases, gallstones, chronic digestive system disorders,
joint aches, bruises, cuts and chronic skin diseases. |
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Salt
Spring |
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Next
to Simple springs in numbers, it has more than 1gram/liter
of mineral elements. If the water contains more
than 1gram but less than 5gram of salt it is a weak
saltine spring. If less than 10gram then, it is
a Salt Spring. If more than 10gram, it is a Strong
Salt Spring. Since it is highly sufficient in keeping
temperature it is called "Atsu no yu"
(Warm hot water) |
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True
Bitter Spring |
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It prevents hardening
of the arteries. Combining taking the bath and drinking
the water is effective for high blood pressure,
hardening of the arteries, diabetes, chronic skin
diseases, arthralgia, muscular rheumatism, blows
and sprains. Sulfite magnesium is the main mineral
content, effective for rheumatism. It is low in
numbers. |
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Ferruginous
Spring |
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When the spring
is gushing, it is transparent with no colors. It
becomes brown when coming in contact with the air.
Combining taking the bath and drinking the water
is effective for anemia, chronic digestive disorders,
and hemorrhoids. Taking the bath is good for menstrual
dysmenorrheal, arthralgia, muscular rheumatism,
women's disorders, chronic skin diseases. There
are two different kinds of springs: Carbonate iron
springs and green vitrol springs. When the water
is boiled it turns red. The green vitrol springs
contains sulfite iron and strongly acidic vitrol. |
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Sulfur
Spring |
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Containing Sulfhydryl
ions or Sulfer hydrogen, it smells like rotten eggs.
It is good for drinking and treating many disorders
and diseases including high blood pressure, hardening
of the arteries, chronic skin diseases, women's
disorders, arthralgia, muscular rheumatism and hemorrhoids.
Combining taking the bath and drinking the water
is effective for chronic digestive system disorders,
diabetes, constipation and gout. |
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Acidic
Spring |
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Indigenous to Japan,
it is mainly found in volcanically active areas
with a high concentration of hydrogen ions. Hard
to bathe in, it requires some advice before taking
the bath. It is effective for chronic skin diseases,
women's diseases, menstrual problems, arthralgia
and diabetes. Combining taking the bath and drinking
the water is effective for anemia and choric digestive
system disorders. |
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Radioactive
Spring |
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It helps you release
uric acid though urine. Radioactivity contained
in the spring does you no harm as it disappears
in the air once it has been vaporized. It is good
for high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries,
chronic skin diseases and women's diseases. Combining
taking the bath and drinking the water is effective
for gout, chronic digestive system disorders, neuralgia,
gallstones, arthralgia and muscular rheumatism. |
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Simple
Spring |
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Higher than 25c
in its temperature, it contains less than 1gram
of radical carbon, salt and other mineral elements.
Good for neuralgia and rheumatism, it is also mild
making it perfect for long term rehabilitations
after recovering from diseases, operations, broken
bones and external wounds. Drinking the water is
effective for gastroenteritis and helps increase
the amount of urine. Japan features many famous
hot springs of this kind. |
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