5 Japanese Bath Salts: Fragrant, Relaxing, and Ideal as Souvenirs

Recommended Bath Salts from Japan

Visitors to Japan are often surprised by the vast selection of bath salts on sale at drug stores. Available in various colors and fragrances, they are also popular as Japanese souvenirs.

This article introduces five bath salt brandas recommended by MATCHA.

1. Kao (Bub)

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Kao's Bub Carbonate Bath Salt tablets are filled with carbon dioxide. This ingredient enhances the positive effects of a hot bath by improving blood circulation.

Kao's bath salt is also said to be effective for ailments such as fatigue, stiff shoulders, back pain, and cold hands and feet.

The series offers a variety of bath salt scents.

The 4 Variety Select Pack has four scented bath tablets: Yuzu Citrus, Forest, Lavender, and Bergamot. The 6 Variety Pack contains the scents of Rose Harmony, Seiryu no Mori (Mountain Stream), Ripe Kumquat, Sandalwood, Eucalyptus, and Romantic Jasmine.

For those who don't particularly care for scented bath salts, we recommend their unscented products that are either colorless or milky white.

2. Awatoro Bubble and Aroma Bath Salt (Cow Brand Soap)

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The Awatoro Bubble and Aroma Bath Salt are known for the soft, tiny bubbles that they make. These products are made by Cow Brand Soap Kyoshinsha, which is famous for soap and other daily necessities.

This bath salt contains a combination of hyaluronic acid and collagen, which helps skin retain moisture after bathing. While typical bath salts only need to be added to the bathtub, Awatoro is slightly different.

First, fill the bathtub with hot water before pouring in the Awatoro Bubble and Aroma Bath Salt. Then add more hot water from the faucet or showerhead so that the bathwater gets stirred up and starts to foam. If you use a showerhead, tiny bubbles will begin to appear.

Awatoro Bubble and Aroma Bath Salt comes in four different scents: Jewelry Rose, Sleeping Aroma, Amber Milk, and Plumeria Garden.

３. Earth Corporation (ONPO)

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ONPO is made by Earth Corporation, a long-standing Japanese company known for its excellent products for every dayuse.

This Japanese bath salt contains a blend of carbonic acid and hot spring water ingredients. It promotes healthy blood circulation and is effective for cold sensitivity, stiff shoulders, fatigue, and back pain.

ONPO comes in various scents, including Yuzu citrus, Forest, and Peach.

Other ONPO varieties include ONPO Carbonate Herbal Medicine Plus, which contains granules of natural medicine that enhance the "warmth" of your bathing experience.

There's also ONPO Sappari Tansanyu that provides an additional refreshing feeling after your bath. Those with children may prefer ONPO Kids Sweets, allowing parents and kids to enjoy a bath together.

Simply choose the ONPO variety that best suits your personal bathing needs!

４. Earth Corporation (Rotenyu Meguri)

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The Yu Meguri Series is another popular Earth Corporation product sold alongside the ONPO Series.

It offers bath salt variations based on actual hot springs, or onsen, in Japan.

The bath salts also contain healthy components of hot spring water. The series features Akita Prefecture's Nyuto Onsen, Nagano's Goshiki Onsen, Gumma's Sakurayama Onsen, and Aomori's Sarukura Onsen.

In addition, the Yakuyu Meguri Series contains Hokkaido's Tokachigawa Onsen, Yamagata's Ginzan Onsen, Kagoshima-Yakushima hot springs, and Nagano's Tazawa Onsen.

It's not easy to visit all of these hot springs, even if you live in Japan. So for starters, how about getting a taste of Japan's famous onsen by soaking in the Yu Meguri Series Bath Salt at home?

５. Bathclin Corporation (Pure Skin)

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Bathclin Corporation is Japan's oldest maker of bath salts. Ever since figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu has been appointed brand model, the company has been getting attention for its advertising and marketing strategies as well.

Among its bath salt products, the Bathclin Pure Skin Series is especially popular. This bath salt has emollient properties (softens the skin) and increased moisturizing power. So it's ideal for the fall and winter months when skin tends to get dry and rough.

There are five varieties of bath salts, including Bathclin Soft Skin, which contains hyaluronic acid, and Bathclin Moist Skin, which has milk protein.

Enjoy Blissful Moments with Japanese Bath Salts

In addition to the products featured today, there are countless varieties of bath salts sold in Japan. They are reasonably priced between 100 yen to 2,000 yen. You can find them at local drugstores, the miscellaneous goods shop Loft, and online retailers like Amazon.

So please pick out your favorite bath salt for a deeply relaxing soak!

Main image by Pixta