Shiokawara Onsen
- Location
- Nikko, Tochigi, Japan
- Water type
- calcium-rich
- Temperature
- 42 °C
- pH
- 7.3
Water profile
Relaxing — deep, immediate muscle release.
Loaded with major ions — the essential minerals (Ca, Mg).
Soft water — natural, classic buoyancy.
Shiokawara Onsen is a hot spring in Gunma Prefecture in the volcanic mountain zone of this thermally exceptional prefecture, whose sulfated mineral waters provide the joint-soothing and circulatory benefits characteristic of calcium and sodium sulfate springs in the Kanto highland region north of Tokyo. Gunma Prefecture is enclosed by the volcanic ranges of the Mikuni, Haruna, and Akagi mountains and their associated geothermal systems, generating dozens of distinct spring types from the strongly sulfurous acidic waters of Kusatsu to the gentler alkaline springs of Shima and the sulfated waters of springs such as Shiokawara distributed across the mountain valleys. The therapeutic tradition of Gunma's hot springs has been recognized since ancient times, and the prefecture's extraordinary thermal heritage continues to attract visitors from the greater Tokyo metropolitan area seeking accessible and authentic Japanese hot spring bathing in a scenic mountain environment within a few hours of the capital.