Characteristics of Sado Hot Springs and Their Efficacies
Sado Island in the Japan Sea is "Home of the Hot Springs." There are many, many hot springs or Onsen in various places on the island. Here we list characteristics of the springs and their efficacies. We asked Mr. Ishikawa, the Onsen Sommelier who has traveled all over the island to tell us what's what.
Enjoy Four Out of Nine Spring Types on Sado
There are roughly nine types of springs according to the Hot Springs Bill. Four of these types can be found on Sado: Simple Springs, Salt Springs, Hydrogen Carbonate Springs, and Sulfur Springs.
Simple Springs has no color and is clear. Gentle and soft, Aikawa Onsen is a good example of a Simple Spring. As the water is very mild, it's considered to be fit for the whole family from babies to seniors. Popular among women, Alkaline Simple Springs with a ph of 8.5 and over is considered to be "beauty springs" that make the skin nice and smooth. Hatano Onsen, Hamochi Onsen, and Ogi Onsen (current name Ogi-kaigan Onsen Ogino-yu) are all Alkaline Simple Springs.
Salt Springs have salty water. The salt in the water kills germs on the skin, and helps heal wounds and burns. It also helps the body retain warmth, and is considered a "warming spring." Ryotsu Onsen No. 2 Spring (Sumiyoshi Onsen, Shiizaki Onsen) that supplies Sado Seaside Hotel is a Salt Spring. It also helps exfoliate the skin, making it soft and smooth. Niibo Katagami Onsen and Nanai Onsen are Salt Springs, too.
Hydrogen Carbonate Springs tend to be yellowish, and the carbonate in the water moisturizes the skin. This is also a "beauty spring." Sado Kamoko Onsen and Sawata Onsen's Ryokan Iriumi are known as this type. Ryokan Iriumi's water is dark and is nationally known as a "Black Spring." There is another black spring on the island, Sendo Onsen, which is a Moor Spring that contains ancient plant fossils. Normal spring types do not apply to this type of spring. Kamoko Onsen is also a Hydrogen Carbonate Spring.
There are three types of ingredients that make up the Sulfur Spring category. They are all good for healing wounds, improving blood flow, lowering blood pressure, and preventing arterial sclerosis. Aikawa Yamaki Onsen, Akadomari Onsen are Sulfur Springs.
You can enjoy Sawata Onsen's spring source at Ryokan Iriumi, a Hydrogen Carbonate Spring. The black water looks like it could cure anything.
At Sendo Onsen Torin-so in Hatano Area, you can enjoy a Moor Spring. It's a well-kept secret.
Masahiro Ishikawa has been working as an Onsen Sommelier since 2005. "With a Salt Spring like ours, you shouldn't take too long a bath, but alternate soaking and washing (resting outside.) A good routine is to soak for 3 minutes then wash for one minute. Repeat that about 3 times, and you'll stay warm all night. It's really great in the winter."
Day use bath Wide Blue Aikawa in Aikawa Area is a Simple Spring. The water is gentle enough for the whole family to enjoy.
At Niibo Katagami Onsen's Sodium Salt Spring, you can enjoy two types of springs in a day. It has the same effect as a salt mask.
The spring at Kanai Onsen Kinpoku-no-sato is a Strong Salt Spring. Your body will stay forever warm after a soak.
Day use bath Kur Therme Sado at Hamochi Onsen is an Alkaline Simple Spring. It does wonders to make your skin baby soft and smooth!
Sado's Hot Springs are Great for a Change of Pace
Onsen is therapeutic in many ways. First, it is physically therapeutic including its warming effects, water pressure, and floatation. For example, in terms of the warming effects, hot water with a temperature of over 42 degrees Celsius makes you more alert, whereas more tepid water will make you more relaxed. The effects from water pressure are like water massage. By soaking your whole body in the water, your organs get a little workout from the water pressure. As much as a third of your body's blood supply gather in the leg, which is why your legs are sometimes called the "second heart." Bathing increases circulation of the blood and the lymphatic fluid from the lower limbs to the heart. Sitz baths and foot baths are highly recommended as they do not burden the heart.
And what I'm most interested in about Sado's hot springs is their ability to change one's pace, which is the second therapeutic effect of hot springs. By leaving the daily grind and going to an Onsen in a nurturing environment, the five senses can be invigorated and one can truly relax. Leaving the routine begins the moment you step onto a ferry to come to Sado. The sense of removal from one's daily life adds to the unique physical experience on the island in addition to the different ambience, location, and air.
In terms of how to get the most out of your bathing experience, you shouldn't take a bath on an empty stomach. You'll find that most Onsens have ochazuke (rice with tea/hot water) in the guestroom, but that's there to keep you from taking a bath on an empty stomach. I tell people that they should eat a manju (small rice cake filled with sweet bean paste) about 30 minutes before bathing and to be sure to drink water (tea is even better as it contains vitamin C.) It's best to bathe when one's blood is thinned and flowing readily and smoothly. Be especially careful of taking baths after you've been driving for a long time. The blood might have accumulated in your legs, and this may cause you to faint.
On Sado, you can enjoy hiking on Mount Donden from the beginning of the year, but my goal now is to teach people about how to bathe to relieve fatigue. Hiking and bath on the island is the best combination for reviving and reinvigorating one's tired self.
One of the biggest effects of Sado's hot springs is the change of pace. Relax as you watch the ever changing expression of the ocean as you soak in the tub.
Delicious food is an important part of change of pace, too. Enjoy the island's local seasonal cuisine, and celebrate being removed from the daily routine.
Onsen's efficacy is posted for the bathers at Sado Seaside Hotel's dressing room.