OSAKA -- The Japanese affinity with hot spring resorts has long provided a market for firms selling bathing salts containing various minerals and ingredients.

But amid a sweltering summer, new types of bathing salts -- with ingredients such as ginger, coffee, hot pepper and green tea -- have been rushed onto the market and are selling well.

To further promote their products, Loft Co.'s shop in Osaka's Umeda district has even created a dedicated section offering nearly 150 kinds of bathing salts.