Oshio Natural Carbonated Water Spring | Natural carbonated water gushes forth! A rare spring even on a national level [Kaneyama Town, Fukushima Prefecture]

In the southwestern part of Fukushima Prefecture, in a town called Kaneyama, known as "Oku-Aizu" and bordering Niigata Prefecture across the Echigo Mountains, there is a rare spring that produces "naturally carbonated water."

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Oshio Natural Carbonated Water Spring

Oshio Natural Carbonated Springis a spring located in the Oshio area of ​​Kaneyama Town, Onuma District, Fukushima Prefecture.

However, it's not just ordinary spring water; it's natural carbonated water containing naturally occurring carbon dioxide , which is rare even nationwide, and it seems to have been used as a "medicinal spring" by locals since ancient times

Lightly carbonated water made from soft water, which is rare even on a global scale

While "naturally carbonated water (spring water that naturally contains carbon dioxide)" exists all over the world,

• Drinkable water quality
• Stable flow rate
• Appropriate carbonation concentration
• Environments suitable for storage and water collection

Places that offer all of these items are limited, and furthermore, Oshio's natural carbonated water is known as a rare "soft water natural carbonated water" on a global scale

It has a proven track record, having been selected as the table water for conference venues at the 2016 G7 Ise-Shima Summit and the 2019 G20 Osaka Summit , as well as the standard water supply for hotel rooms and press waiting rooms. Furthermore, it is also used in famous restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide and in JAL First Class , demonstrating its reliable quality in various settings.

You can enjoy it for free if you're there! Oshio Natural Carbonated Water

You can enjoy this precious natural sparkling water for free at the location

There is a dedicated parking lot along National Route 252, which runs through Kanayama town, and the Oshio Natural Carbonated Water Spring is about 200 meters from there, which is about a 5-minute walk

It's easily accessible because it's a fully paved road, not a mountain trail or a steep, winding path

The site is a large open area with several chairs and tables set up

Water collection facilities, such as wells and water drawing points, are located along the mountainside visible in the background of the photo above

The well is about 4 meters deep. Most of it is sealed off to prevent falls, with only one opening that can be opened and closed. This might be a good option if you want to take home a larger quantity of water in a plastic bottle

Next to the well, there's a separate water-drawing station that's easy to use. If you just want to sample a little, this might be more convenient

I tried filling a plastic bottle with natural sparkling water. If you drink it expecting the same level of carbonation as commercially available carbonated drinks, it's quite weak, but you can definitely feel the carbonation

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The History of Oshio Natural Carbonated Water

According to the local information board,carbonated waterhas been known since ancient times and it seems to have been used as a "medicinal spring."

In 1877, a former samurai of the Aizu domain"Taiyosui" (Sun Water)and sold it in Aizu and neighboring prefectures as a miraculous remedy for chronic gastrointestinal diseases, diabetes, and constipation, which led to its widespread recognition.

In 1903, Ken Kurashima, considered the father of Japanese beverages, established Iwashiro Natural Carbonated Spring Co., Ltd. He built a factory in the area, partnered with Apollinès, Europe's largest natural carbonated spring company, and invited two German engineers to begin bottling and shipping the product

They exported to Germany as "Geisha Brand Tansan Mineral Water" and sold it domestically under the trademark "Banzai Carbonated Water" at a directly managed store in Ginza, but transportation costs became an obstacle and they later had to close down

Several production plans were proposed after that, but they all failed. However, a water treatment plant was built again in 2004, and it remains in operation to this day

Nowadays, sparkling water is sold to the general public and can be purchased online

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summary

In the Oshio area, there is another carbonated water source called "Takizawa Natural Carbonated Water."

Unlike the Oshio Natural Carbonated Water Source, there isn't a well here; it's more like a small "drinking fountain." However, it might be interesting to compare the taste of both types of carbonated water!

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