Where Time Moves Slowly

About Sakakibara Onsen

Nestled in the quiet hills of Mie Prefecture, 榊原温泉 (Sakakibara Onsen) is a small hot spring town with a history that stretches back more than 1,500 years.

Located about 30 minutes from Tsu, the capital city of Mie Prefecture, it has long been closely connected to the Ise Grand Shrine—one of Japan’s most sacred places.

In ancient Japan, visiting the Ise Grand Shrine was considered a once-in-a-lifetime journey of devotion.

During the Edo period, people from all over the country traveled for weeks—sometimes months—walking more than 30 kilometers a day to reach the sacred site.

Along the way, many stopped at Sakakibara Onsen to purify themselves before entering the shrine, as its water was believed to cleanse both body and spirit.

Even today, this connection continues through 献湯祭 (Kento-sai), an annual ritual in which the hot spring water is offered to the Ise Grand Shrine each June.

During the ceremony, participants are allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the shrine—an area normally closed to the public—for a formal prayer and sacred dance.

When I joined the ceremony for the first time, watching the kagura dance within the shrine’s sacred hall, I felt as if my heart was being quietly cleansed.

It was an experience I will never forget—something pure, serene, and deeply moving.

(Anyone can apply in advance to join the Kento-sai ceremony as part of a guided tour.)

Japan’s Finest Hot Spring

I still remember the first time I touched the water of Sakakibara Onsen.

It felt unlike any other hot spring—so incredibly smooth and silky that I was truly amazed.

To give you an idea, the water is so rich and velvety that it’s hard to tell if your body soap has rinsed off completely.

On my second visit, I even mistook my body soap for shampoo by accident—but thanks to the onsen’s silky texture, my hair stayed soft and calm instead of feeling dry.

At Ryokan Sei Shōnagon, you can experience this feeling directly, as even the shower water comes from the hot spring itself.

Beyond its touch, studies have shown that Sakakibara Onsen’s water can help lower blood pressure, increase skin moisture, and support antioxidant activity in the body.

While the science behind its effects is not yet fully understood, the mineral-rich, antioxidant properties of Sakakibara Onsen’s water are believed to have positive benefits for the body.

In the local community, some medical facilities incorporate onsen hydrotherapy into their treatments, using the water not as a luxury, but as a gentle part of daily health and healing.

It is even known for its soothing effects on sensitive skin and atopic conditions.

At SAKURA, the skincare factory that also produces TABBIA products, pet care items made with Sakakibara Onsen water have become popular for their mild, skin-friendly qualities.

Sakakibara Onsen truly lives up to its reputation as a “beauty-enhancing hot spring.”

Ingredients

Using Onsen Water in Skincare

Water is the foundation of any skincare product.

It makes up the majority of what touches your skin—yet the quality of that water can change everything.

TABBIA’s Onsen Hand Serum replaces ordinary water with natural hot spring water from Sakakibara Onsen, using it as the heart of the formula rather than just one ingredient among many.

By maximizing the use of this gentle onsen water, the serum delivers moisture drawn from nature itself—light, pure, and deeply hydrating.

Inspired by the silky texture of Sakakibara Onsen, the formula has a rare, water-like consistency that glides smoothly onto the skin without any stickiness, leaving your hands soft and comfortably hydrated.

When you don’t want to miss a perfect view, you can reach for your camera or phone right away.
When changing bags or adjusting your luggage, your hands stay clean—no residue on straps or handles.
Before a meal, even after using a towel, you can hold your chopsticks or glass without worry.

On a journey, the feeling of non-stickiness is more than comfort—it’s a quiet relief that lets you move freely through each moment.

For those who’ve never been fully satisfied with so-called “non-sticky” hand creams, we invite you to experience TABBIA’s Onsen Hand Serum. You’ll feel a texture unlike anything else.

Every detail of the serum is designed to remove small stresses from your day.

To make travel lighter, each bottle holds 15ml—compact and easy to carry.
The cap opens with one touch, so you won’t lose it or fumble with twisting lids.
And to keep it from getting lost in your bag, we’ve included a soft drawstring pouch.

Each serum is carefully handcrafted in Japan, made with the wish that you can feel the gentle beauty of Sakakibara Onsen in your daily life and on your journeys.

May this Onsen Hand Serum bring a touch of that warmth to your hands.

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