Warming You from the Inside Out: The Takao Hot Tab Story – A Bath Additive Rooted in Health and Community Commitment

“Takao Hot Tab” is part of the popular “Hot Tab” series, a line of bath additives loved by celebrities and top athletes alike. It was created by Mr. Shigeharu Koboshi, the president of Hot Album Carbonated Springs Tablet Inc.
Mr. Koboshi originally worked as a researcher at a global film manufacturer. Driven by a desire to “improve the world through research,” he developed 680 groundbreaking patents for environmental conservation. In recognition of his work, he received the prestigious Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1999, an award given to individuals who make significant contributions in fields like academia, art, or invention.
During the award ceremony, the Emperor of Japan encouraged Mr. Koboshi to continue his efforts for society’s benefit. Deeply moved by these words, he became even more determined to contribute to society and founded a bath additive company in Hachioji after retiring.

Why did Mr. Koboshi choose to focus on bath additives for his social contribution? The idea dates back to his time working for the Photographic film manufacturer.
While on a business trip to Germany, Mr. Koboshi arrived exhausted after a long flight. At his destination, he tried a lukewarm natural carbonated spring bath. That night, he enjoyed the best sleep he’d had in years, and the next morning, he woke up feeling refreshed and invigorated. The bath had completely erased his fatigue, leaving him energized.
This transformative experience led Mr. Koboshi to think: “If this could be replicated at home, Japanese bath enthusiasts would love it.”
Determined to recreate the same effects, he resolved to develop a bath additive that could bring this experience to households, fulfilling his goal of making a positive impact on society.

After returning to Japan, Mr. Koboshi traveled extensively, analyzing the mineral content of various hot springs. His research revealed that neutral bicarbonate ions were the key to replicating the benefits of the German carbonated spring experience.
He began developing a bath additive that would generate these ions by combining baking soda and citric acid. However, a major hurdle emerged: the two ingredients would react even with slight humidity, causing premature effervescence and ruptured packaging.
Rather than giving up, Mr. Koboshi turned to his expertise from the film industry. Using microencapsulation granulation technology, he coated baking soda and citric acid in films of varying thickness and compressed them into tablets. This innovative approach successfully overcame the problem, and in 2009, the groundbreaking “Hot Tab” bath additive was born.

After taking his first step toward contributing to society, Mr. Koboshi wanted to create a product that would give back to Hachioji, the city where his company is based and where he had longstanding ties from his film industry days. This aspiration gave birth to the locally exclusive "Takao Hot Tab."

The name “Takao” comes from Mt. Takao, a famous tourist destination in Hachioji and a UNESCO-designated Japanese Heritage Site.
The product label features the kanji characters for "Takao," handwritten by the monks of Takao-san Yakuo-in Temple, a revered temple on the mountain.
To bless the product and its users, the temple performs a goma fire ritual (a ceremonial fire offering) to pray for health and the fulfillment of wishes.
This rigorous dedication has earned the product the temple’s official endorsement.

Additionally, the "Takao Hot Tab" is registered as a gift for Hachioji City’s Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donation program).
Orders have poured in from across Japan, benefiting both the health of its users and Hachioji's local community.

"Takao Hot Tab" is available in three sizes to suit different needs:

The Hot Tab series offers additional products, each with unique features:

Using Hot Tab products is simple: Dissolve 3 tablets in approximately 160 liters of water. Once fully dissolved, soak in lukewarm water at 36–41°C for at least 30 minutes to experience the therapeutic benefits (medicinal bath additives only).
For Hot Tab Natural Zen Shower, you can use it as a bath additive or place one tablet in a dedicated showerhead to enjoy a bicarbonate shower.
Its versatility makes it perfect for year-round use.

Hot Tab products are meticulously crafted with a focus on health and environmental sustainability.
Their cumulative sales have surpassed 4 billion tablets since launch, a testament to their popularity.
In today’s fast-paced and often stressful world, indulge in a relaxing bath with “Takao Hot Tab” to revitalize your body and mind.