Kagoshima Prefecture, located at the
southernmost part of Kyushu, is blessed
with Mt. Sakurajima, a subtropical natural
environment and hot springs. Being so far
removed from central Japan, this area has
its own unique culture and history. The
southern part of Kagoshima Prefecture has
two big peninsulas: the Satsuma Peninsula
in the west and Osumi Peninsula in the
east. Ibusuki is located at the southern
tip of the Satsuma Peninsula. With the
exotic atmosphere of a “southern land,”
beautiful scenery stretches out against
the backdrop of 924-meter Mt. Kaimon-dake,
a beautiful cone-shaped mountain near the
coast and is also called Satsuma Fuji.
Ibusuki is famous for hot sand baths.
Covered by sand that is warmed up by hot
springs under the ground, the body’s
circulation of the blood is improved and
waste materials are passed out of the body
with sweat. The baths are good for lower
back pain, shoulder stiffness and
rheumatism. Treatment using sand baths has
a 300-year history.
You lie flat on your back on the beach and
are covered with sand by staff. Within
around ten minutes, you will begin to
sweat. With the posture, an appropriate
weight of the sand and heat of about 50
degrees C, your blood circulation is
improved, and this type or bath is said to
have three or four times more benefit than
ordinary onsen bathing. You will sweat
profusely and after thus soaking, you will
feel very relaxed and refreshed.
