A Thousand-Year Onsen Tradition for Your Daily Skincare

Discover SAKURA Koisui Rose, Made with Sakakibara Onsen Source Water

In this edition of the Premium Onsen Box, we are delighted to introduce SAKURA Koisui Rose, a Japanese facial mist inspired by the country’s centuries-old onsen culture.

What makes this skincare item so special is the water at its heart: its water base is made with 100% source water from Sakakibara Onsen, one of Japan’s most historic hot spring destinations.

It brings together the natural character of Japanese onsen water, a remarkable local story, and modern skincare technology.

What Is Sakakibara Onsen?

Sakakibara Onsen is a historic hot spring located in the peaceful, forested countryside of Tsu City in Mie Prefecture, near the geographical center of Japan.

In ancient times, the area was known as Nanakuri, and its hot spring was called Nanakuri-no-Yu.

Its reputation dates back approximately 1,000 years to Japan’s Heian period. The spring was mentioned in The Pillow Book, one of Japan’s most celebrated works of classical literature.

The book was written around the year 1000 by Sei Shōnagon, a woman who served at the imperial court. Through her observations of the seasons, court life, beauty, and human nature, she created a work that continues to be read in Japan today.

In The Pillow Book, Nanakuri-no-Yu—present-day Sakakibara Onsen—was praised alongside Arima Onsen and Tamatsukuri Onsen as one of the country’s most distinguished hot springs.

A Place of Purification Before Visiting Ise Jingu

Sakakibara Onsen also has a deep connection with Ise Jingu, one of the most sacred Shinto sites in Japan.

Traditionally, travelers would visit Sakakibara Onsen before continuing to Ise Jingu. They bathed in the hot spring to purify their bodies and minds before entering the sacred grounds.

This ritual was known as yugori, or purification through bathing.

For people in Japan, onsen have never been simply places to wash or warm the body. They have also been places to rest, restore balance, clear the mind, and prepare for a new beginning.

Sakakibara Onsen continues to represent this distinctive part of Japanese wellness culture.

Why Is Sakakibara Onsen Water Valued in Skincare?

SAKURA Koisui Rose was developed around the natural characteristics of Sakakibara Onsen source water.

1. Smooth Alkaline Spring Water

Sakakibara Onsen is classified as an alkaline simple spring and is known for its smooth, silky feel.

The source water used in SAKURA Koisui Rose has a reported pH level of approximately 9.2. When misted onto the skin, it provides a light, fresh, and comfortable sensation.

Because of its distinctive texture, Sakakibara Onsen has long been known in Japan as a bijin-no-yu, meaning a “beauty hot spring.”

2. Naturally Occurring Minerals

Water makes up most of a typical facial lotion or mist. The quality and character of that water can therefore greatly influence how the product feels on the skin.

Sakakibara Onsen water contains naturally occurring minerals acquired as the water moves through the surrounding earth.

According to the manufacturer, the source water blends comfortably with the skin and helps deliver moisture to the outer layer of the skin, leaving it feeling hydrated, soft, and supple.

3. Naturally Reducing Water

The manufacturer reports that Sakakibara Onsen source water has an oxidation-reduction potential, or ORP, of approximately −100 to −200 mV, such as our exclusive Prodecr, “Onsen Bath Powder“.

ORP is a measurement used to indicate whether water is more oxidizing or more reducing. A lower value indicates stronger reducing characteristics.

The manufacturer selected Sakakibara Onsen water for the product because of these distinctive source-water properties, as well as its smooth feel and compatibility with moisturizing skincare.

4. Carefully Filtered at High Pressure

The source water is collected from Sakakibara Onsen and carefully processed through a special high-pressure filtration system.

This process removes unwanted impurities and microorganisms while preserving the qualities that make the source water suitable for use as a skincare ingredient.

The result is a facial mist that allows customers to experience the character of a historic Japanese hot spring as part of their everyday beauty routine.

A Simple Approach to Skincare

SAKURA Koisui Rose is made without added fragrance, artificial coloring, petroleum-derived surfactants, preservatives, or alcohol.

The official product information also states that the formula received a skin irritation index of 0.0 in a 24-hour closed patch test.

Its simple formula allows the fresh, moisturizing feel of the Sakakibara Onsen source water to remain at the center of the experience.

Mist it onto your face after cleansing, or use it on your neck, décolletage, arms, legs, and other areas that need a touch of moisture.

It can also be used to refresh the skin during the day or before applying makeup.

Patch-test results do not guarantee that irritation will not occur in every person. Discontinue use if you notice any discomfort or unusual skin reaction.

What Customers Say

Bring Japanese Onsen Culture into Your Daily Ritual

Visiting an onsen, soaking in mineral-rich water, and allowing the body and mind to slowly unwind is a wellness tradition that has been passed down in Japan for centuries.

SAKURA Koisui Rose brings a small part of that tradition into your daily skincare routine.

Inside your Premium Onsen Box is more than a bottle of facial mist. It represents the history of a celebrated hot spring, the story of the land where it rises, and a quiet opportunity to care for yourself.

We hope you enjoy experiencing the gentle character of Sakakibara Onsen—one refreshing mist at a time.