Japan is well known for its onsen (natural hot springs), but did you know you can experience the benefits without even getting your feet wet?
Located in Kagoshima Prefecture on the southern island of Kyūshū, the Ibusuki Sand Baths (also known as the Ibusuki Sunamushi Kaikan Saraku or Natural Sand Bath Center), provides an interesting way to enjoy the benefits of the heat and minerals associated with a long hot soak.
The onsen water bubbling beneath the coastline (thanks to nearby volcanoes) naturally heats the beach sand above, making way for a most unique bathing experience.
So how does it all work?
Entry to the sand baths costs ¥1000 which includes a towel – yours to keep – and yukata (robe) rental. Head to the sex-segregated change rooms to change into your yukata. Remember to put the left side over the right. The first time we came to Japan, we visited a hot springs resort with our homestay family and I emerged ready for the baths with my yukata tied the opposite way, unaware that it made any difference. My homestay brother looked as if he had just seen a ghost – and rightly so. This is how the Japanese dress their dead. So avoid frightening people and wear yours the correct way!
Then bring your towel and camera, and head down to the beach. Once called over to a pit, you’ll be instructed to lay down in it and on how to place the towel to cover your head. The towel acts to protect your head and neck from the heat as well as your mouth from the sand. At this point, you’ll also want to be making sure that the yukata is covering you as best as possible to avoid getting burnt in any sensitive areas.
The “burial ladies” (and the occasional man) will then proceed to shovel the scorching hot sand over you until you are buried up to your neck. Despite my words of advice on not dressing like it’s your funeral, you may at this point feel some surreal sense of being laid to rest.
You’ll start to feel the heat and weight of the sand on you quickly. And sweat you will. The volcanic sand is said to provide health benefits similar to onsen, yet in a more concentrated form, some say 3-4 times more beneficial than a traditional bath. It improves circulation, ridding the body of impurities and increasing blood-oxygen levels, and is said to provide relief from and even cure all manner of ailments including arthritis and rheumatism. Many women these days visit the sand baths as a beauty treatment as the intense heat works to open the skin’s pores.
The recommended time to spend in the sand is 10-15 minutes. Ten minutes is enough to reap the health benefits, while fifteen minutes, if you can stand it, gives you “full charge”. I lasted 13 minutes before the burning was enough for me. With a little effort, you can free yourself without too much trouble. But rest assured the burial ladies stick around to help you out whenever you need it. They even come by during the bath, given your incapacitated state, to wipe the sweat from your brow.
You’ll emerge looking like you’ve been swimming in that yukata and with enough sand left on you to make a little beach of your own. Luckily the sand baths also have an onsen on-site (Tennen Sunamushi Onsen) where you can give yourself a good rinse and, if that heat wasn’t enough for you, take a dip in the hot spring waters.
If you’re heading to Kyūshū, Ibusuki is not the only place where you can experience sand bathing. Beppu in Ōita Prefecture is another popular location. Kyūshū is a spectacular travel destination whether you come for the sand baths or not. But if you do visit, why not add this unique travel experience to your itinerary?
The Ibusuki Sand Baths are located approximately 15-20 minutes walk or 5 minutes by taxi from Ibusuki Station. In front of the station you’ll also find a complimentary foot bath! There is an on-site carpark for those traveling by car.
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Access
Address: 5-25-18 Yu-no-hama, Ibusuki-shi, Kagoshima, Japan
Phone: 0993 23-3900
Cost: ¥1,000, including towel and robe rental
Hours: Daily 8:30am-21:00pm
how fun!
J.
Thanks! It was a lot of fun!
beautiful!
Thank you and thanks so much for the follow! Much appreciated!
That looks like so much fun, and so relaxing! I bet your skin feels amazing after that!
Hi Sarah! It was a really fun and interesting experience. For me, it was a little difficult to relax as it was uncomfortably hot but you do feel great after it! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Interesting – Beautiful Photos:)
Thank you!
This looks so bizarre! If I’m ever out that way, I’ll definitely give it a try.
You definitely should! It’s a very interesting experience! Thank you for stopping by
Gah! So many fun things you can do in Japan!
There are, Dianda! You should come visit!
I’m planning to in the future!
Japan is on top of the list! I always loved the culture.
Ah, I’ve always wanted to do that. One day I will, but I’m a little disappointed that they have updated their umbrellas!
They used to have more traditional ones, didn’t they? I bet that would have made for some great photos. But, yes, still go anyway!
oh my.. this seems good..!! i get abit scarred of confined space feeling..!! does that matter??
I’m sure you’d be fine. If you do start feeling claustrophobic, however, you can pull yourself out or you could just ask them to put a lighter layer of sand on you. We saw some people there who just laid down on top of the sand instead.
Ahh… that sounds good..;)”:):)
I feel the fun!
It’s definitely a lot of fun, Bob!
This is making me want to go to Japan more! I love the pictures, and the fact your hair is nearly perfect despite your being covered in sand. :3
Thank you! Especially the hair part!
You should definitely come and visit! It’s an amazing country with so many great things to see and do. Hope to have a growing list of recommendations here for you when you do! 
I really want to come over there! I have a friend who lives in Miyazaki-shi,one of my cousins is from Fukuoka, and I’m currently learning the language through them and a program on my phone. Hopefully I’ll be able to understand it in a few years when I’m able to afford going! Right now I need to finish my undergrad and possibly a masters before I consider going anywhere before beginning real work other than a fast food chain or retail something or other. :3 I’ll definitely keep looking at your blog though, it seems like you have a lot of fun!