# Ibusuki Onsen

> A unique hot spring resort where visitors are buried in naturally heated volcanic sand on the beach for a one-of-a-kind onsen experience. The geothermally warmed sand reaches temperatures of around 50-55 degrees Celsius.

- Prefecture: Kagoshima
- Type: Onsen
- Address: Ibusuki, Kagoshima, Japan
- Official site: https://www.ibusuki-saraku.jp/en

Ibusuki is home to Japan's most famous sand bath experience, where visitors don lightweight yukata robes and lie on the beach as attendants bury them in sand naturally heated by underground volcanic activity. The warm sand, reaching temperatures of 50-55 degrees Celsius, is said to improve circulation and relieve joint pain, and the experience of being gently cocooned while listening to ocean waves is very relaxing. The main facility, Saraku Sand Bath Hall, operates year-round on a beachfront location near Ibusuki Station and includes indoor baths and rest areas. Beyond the sand baths, Ibusuki offers conventional hot spring ryokan, a subtropical flower garden called Flower Park Kagoshima, and views of the smoking Sakurajima volcano across Kinko Bay. The scenic Ibusuki no Tamatebako sightseeing train connects Ibusuki to Kagoshima and is a popular attraction in itself.

## FAQ

### How do I get to Ibusuki Onsen?

From Kagoshima-Chuo Station, the JR Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line, including the sightseeing 'Ibusuki no Tamatebako' train, reaches Ibusuki in about 50 to 60 minutes.

### What is the Ibusuki sand bath (sunamushi onsen)?

Wearing a yukata, you are buried up to the neck in naturally hot, geothermally heated beach sand for about 10 to 15 minutes, which is said to aid circulation. It costs about 1,100 yen, with towel and yukata included.

### What else is there to do around Ibusuki?

You can soak in regular hot-spring baths, visit Lake Ikeda, and see the cone of Mt Kaimon, known as the 'Satsuma Fuji'.

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Source: Ibusuki Onsen — Japan Voyage