Japan is blessed with the treasure of the Onsen or volcanic hot water bath, which abounds with healing properties. There are over 27,000 such hot springs in Japan. Fortunately, I have had the chance to visit the Daimaru Besso Onsen in Fukuoka, Japan during the time In April, 2013 in which I gave an Islamic Finance presentation at a conference in Kitakyushu, Japan.
http://www.daimarubesso.com/en/
The Futsukaichi Onsen at Daimaru Besso is an alkaline simple hot spring, which relieves chronic joint pain, nerve pain, gastrointestinal issues, burns, and skin issues.
As a college student in Japan at the Kyoto International Center for Languages in Kyoto, Japan in 1996 and Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan in 1997, I had the chance to visit several Onsens in the volcanic nation. In addition, in the summer of 1997, I interned at the Nambu Foundation with Miyagi University in Sendai, Japan and studied at the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan in 2002, further giving me the opportunity to visit various onsens in Tokyo and Sendai, Japan. I also participated in the Sapporo Banking, Finance, Economics, and Business Congress in Sapporo, Japan in June, 2016 thus giving me access to Hokkaido onsens.
Healing Effects of Onsen
“During the Edo period, a master of traditional medicine named Goto Konzan (1659 – 1733) theorized that illnesses stem from the blockages of energy or Ki in the body. ” (Rowan Thompson)
Goto Konzan started to use hot springs for therapy during the Edo period (1603 – 1868).
“Thinking it possible to cure an illness through the release of blocked energy, Konzan recommended soaking in springs with a temperature on the hotter side to increase one’s ki. This is the method for stimulating the sympathetic nervous system.” (Matsuda Tadanori)
Basically, a bath in an Onsen can increase circulation and metabolism, leading to a discharge of toxins and waste from the body. Onsens can also treat various skin ailments and types of joint and nerve pains. The lymph nodes also become active. Onsen baths also lead to deep relaxation and calmness of the mind.
Due to the effect of buoyancy, “floating reduces pain, muscle tension, stress, and anxiety.” Floating also “increases feelings of relaxation, well-being, energy, and ease of movement.” Furthermore, “the water pressure on your arms and legs causes the blood in your extremities to your core, increasing circulation and oxygenation of the blood.” (Mike Humphrey)
“Hot water from 98.6F – 104F stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to slow the heart rate and lead to a feeling of relaxation. Hot water over 109F stimulates the sympathetic nerves and helps to bring about a refreshing feeling. “ (https://japanmcconnell.com/)
“The geothermically heated waters naturally contain up to 19 different minerals including calcium, sodium bicarbonate, sulfur, and iron. These minerals absorbed through the skin can increase circulation and oxygen flow. Sulfur is beneficial for dry skin conditions, reduces hypertension, and arteriosclerosis, copper improves anemia, radium alleviates joint, muscle, and nerve pain, carbon dioxide reduces blood pressure, and silica alleviates and softens dry skin.” (Mike Humphrey)
The ten types of medical hot springs can be found here: https://selected-ryokan.com/info/spring-qualities-and-their-medicinal-benefits.html
References
Japan McConnel.com, Japanese Hot Springs, Health Benefits and Risks, (February 10, 2023, 7:32 PM), https://japanmcconnell.com/japanese-hot-springs-onsen-health-guide-dos-and-donts-2855/.
Rowan Thompson, Health Benefits of Japanese Onsen, (February 10, 2023, 7:23 PM), https://keshoume.com/blogs/blog-posts/health-benefits-of-japanese-onsen.
Mike Humphrey, The Top Five Health Benefits of Japanese Onsen, (February 10, 2023, 7:25 PM), https://eventshakuba.com/blog/top-5-health-benefits-of-a-japanese-onsen/.
Matsuda Tadanori, Soaking Up the Benefits, Japan’s Hot Springs Tradition, (February 10, 2023, 7:28 PM), http://www.nippon.com/en/views/b04702.
Selected Onsen Ryokan, Spring Qualities and Their Medicinal Benefits, (February 10, 2023, 7:35 PM),
