Rich in active gases or metals — a strong mineral character.
Buoyancy
Standard buoyancy
LowHigh
Soft water — natural, classic buoyancy.
FerBicarbonatesManganèse
Niibo Katagami Onsen, in Niigata, offers iron-rich water with a pH of 6.3, at 38°C. An indoor bath, an open-air outdoor bath and a sauna round out the facility.
Insider tip — Niibo Katagami Onsen is located in a quiet coastal district south of Niigata city, drawing iron-bearing waters from the deep sedimentary layers of the Sea of Japan coast. The mineral-rich amber bath is popular among residents for its warming properties during Niigata's notoriously snowy winters. The facility has a relaxed neighborhood character, free of tourist infrastructure, and entry is refreshingly affordable. The nearby rice paddies that produce some of Japan's most prized Koshihikari rice set the pastoral scene.