Hanayama Onsen in Wakayama is known as the Kansai areas best onsen resort. Why is it considered the best? Because of the concentration of the active minerals in this hotspring If a hot spring has more than 1000mg per kg of dissolved substance, then it is considered a medical spring. The water at Hanayama Onsen has more than 16 times that amount at more than 16000mg/kg! More than that is the fact that many types of substances are found in this water. If you bathe here once you can find out just how strong those concentrations are.
Huh? In the middle of Wakayama City?
Yes that’s right. This place isn’t in some mountain area or close to the sea, it’s a 5 minute drive from Wakayama interchange, pretty close to the middle of the city.
The opening of this onsen is said to have been in the Heian Period in 803 AD. Although, from some natural disaster some time ago, causing a geological change stopping the flow of water. In 1965 after digging 500m down the water started flowing once again. Although its water from 500m it is flowing up on its own. (most water from hot springs dug down this deep are pumped up by machine. So this is a rare hot spring) Also, most patrons of Hanayama Onsen don’t stay the night but this is also a hotel so you can I you want to.
The picture above was taken while they were closed for this article. This allowed me to enjoy this place all to myself. (this is a very popular onsen and during normal operating hours it is always busy with people)
Yellowish brown water and a limestone cave?
As you can see, the water is brownish color and opaque. There are 3 baths in the indoor bath house, (26, 38 and 41.5 degrees Celsius) and the outdoor bath is 40 degrees Celsius.
This onsen type is called “biossidocarboniche-ferrocalcinosis-magnesium chloride-sodium bicarbonate spring” which is extremely long. I have been to many onsen in the past but this is the longest type name I have found so far.
The first two biossidocarboniche and ferro, are what make this onsen type have what’s called special components. Even what would make this a special type of onsen but it has two!
The biossidocarboniche means the cabonic gas makes capillaries expand and make the blood flow better. The ferro means iron and if drunk this helps with anemia, but when bathed in it is said to warm the body well. Also, when this is open to air the water turns brownish color just like it is here at Hanayama Onsen.
Cool spring water straight from the source spring
This onsen which I’m bathing in is straight from underground there is no adding of heat, other water, or antibacterial chemicals. The temperature is only 26 degrees Celsius so it feels almost like a pool. It is cool but, it has a lot of carbonic gas so it warms you up by creating better blood flow. This is why I ask that you bathe in this water for a long time. After bathing in the heated bath then bathing in this bath is recommended especially in the winter.
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The water flows copiously from the source of the spring
This is where the water flows out of from the source. The water flows out with vigor and almost like a soda water it is bubbly and feeds into the bath. This mound is the effect of the deposits from the minerals in the water over the years. It is really an odd shape though isn’t it? This is truly a unique amount of deposits amongst all the different hot springs I have been to.
The hot water breaks?
Last is the outdoor bath. The boiler and the source spring were stopped from the night before so the water here was left still. When I looked closely there was something strange. There was a film on top of the water! When I poked it with my finger the film broke with a small crackle. It mostly likely is from the calcium in the water. According to the manager only the staff here or guests staying the night get to see this spectacle. I was lucky to see such a sight. It really drove home the reality of how concentrated all the minerals are in this onsen.
Conclusion
The best way to bathe at the Hanayama Onsen is to rotate between both the heated bath and the cool natural springing water. It really gets the blood flowing well.
You can also drink this water surprisingly! In the hallway from the lobby to the bath house there is a place where you can drink this spring water. There is a sign that says “mix a couple of drops of the spring water with drinking water” but for those that can handle it should try it straight. It tastes amazingly disgusting! I believe everyone should “taste” how concentrated the minerals are.
I recommend this onsen in the months between spring and fall. For those that like opaque, carbonated, tepid, or even limestone caves, this onsen would be perfect for you.
[Facility name] Hanayama Onsen (the healing hot spring) [Address] 640-8303 574 Kamogami, Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture [Phone] 073-471-3277 [Hours] 8am to 11pm [Closed] every Thursday but open if holiday [Price] 8am to 5pm 1000 JPY, 5pm to 11pm 600 JPY
[Onsen type] biossidocarboniche-ferrocalcinosis-magnesium chloride-sodium bicarbonate spring [How water is used] both heated and unheated, no water added and no antibiotics added [pH] 6.4
{Note} sleep accommodations available
History
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