on my return from japan, I’ve been interested in researching the healing effects of Onsens (Hot Springs), particularly the effects on immune, lymphatic, skin and disease.
I became interested in this after my first Onsen experience in Nara, at an Onsen ryokan that offered hot and cold therapy. The hot bath was 45 deg, cold bath 0 deg. 15min spent in each for 5 rounds, the effects were amazing, this was after walking almost 5 hours a day and after 3 days of early mornings and late nights competing in my first Iaido competition.
I had hit a wall and my legs were exhausted but after the Onsen I felt amazing, the next day no pain and just that exhilarating feeling. I knew then had to be something special about Onsens and healing, which has prompted me to start this journey. Onsens are not well known in Western culture but with some help I may hopefully be able to direct western travellers to some of the most powerful Onsens in Japan for healing health and wellness.
There are thousands of Onsens in Japan that have different levels of minerals produced from the earth, Japan has the most due to being a volcanic area. Japan has a medical tick of approval with some Onsens for a specific healing ability they need to have a certain amount of minerals to qualify.
Some onsens are famous throughout japan for curing or helping different disease, skin issues. One in particular Tamagawa Onsen in the Akita prefecture draws a large number of people with cancer, for its said to be healing ability’s.
Tamagawa Onsen has the highest acidity out of all Onsens in Japan and contains radium, a rock hokutalite, people bath in the water then lye on the rock to heal ailments. The radium levels are not enough to cause harm but seems to reduce some cancers. (Still more research need to be done).
The following is a research article on the effect of Onsens therapy in Beppu one of the largest onsen village in Japan and it’s effect on the aged with disease.
Interesting research on the healing effect of nature. Caution still needs to be taken with some disorders esp with hot therapy, but with research this can help with directing people to the best Onsens for your health.