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 Yamakawa Sunamushi Onsen or Yamakawa Sand Baths (also known as Yamagawa Sunamushi Onsen or Fushimesunamushi Hot Spring), 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 ¥820 (¥460 for kids up to elementary school age) which includes a towel 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 where you can give yourself a good rinse and, if the sand 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 Yamakawa Sunamushi Onsen is located approximately 15 minutes by taxi from Ibusuki Station (approximately 3000 yen each way) or 10 minutes from Yamakawa Station. In front of Ibusuki Station you'll also find a complimentary foot bath! There is a free on-site carpark at the sand baths for those traveling by car.
Address: 〒891-0511 鹿児島県指宿市山川福元3339-3
3339-3 Yamagawafukumoto, Ibusuki-shi, Kagoshima-ken 891-0511
Phone: 0993-35-2669
Cost: ¥820, including towel and robe rental
Opening hours: 9:00-17:30 (September – June), 09:00-18:00 (July and August)
More info: Please see their website (Japanese only)
Accommodation in Kagoshima (referral links): Search all types of accommodation on Booking.com or find traditional Japanese style accommodation (ryokan) here: notesofnomads.com/RyokanKagoshima
Why are ryokan worth the splurge at least once on your trip to Japan? Read more about ryokan here.







Hey Jessica, your picture and the sand bath location that you mentioned don’t match, by the way. You’re sending people to the sand bath center right by the ibusuki train station but that place is heavily touristy and in a more dirty and industrialized part of town. The one where you went in your picture is actually like two more train stops down and less touristy and actually has the backdrop of Mt. Kaimon :) just saying. Today, we tried to go to the address you mentioned in your blog and I was disappointed that it didn’t look like your picture. Until we found out it was at another station, another town, another sand onsen. And the taxi ride is 3000 yen one way to the onsen and another 3000 yen back to the ibusuki train station. Thank you though for your article. Without it we never would have found out how awesome ibusuki is. Definitely recommend a weekend stay there.
Jack
Hi Jack, thank you very much for letting us know and we do apologize for the confusion. I have now updated the article. Very pleased that you were able to locate the right place anyway and enjoyed your time in Ibusuki. I think it is one of those underrated gems that more people should try to visit on their trip to Japan.
Thanks so much and enjoy the rest of your trip!
Cheers,
Jessica
Great article! Ibusuki Sand Bath was definitely one of the highlights of my three weeks in Japan. In April, it was just the perfect time – not too cold to get frozen but cold enough to really enjoy the hot sand :).
Thank you, Katharina! So glad you enjoyed yourself at Ibusuki and in Japan! Sounds like the ideal time to visit. We went in November, which was also great because the weather was cool and we could view the fall foliage around Kyushu. :)
Oh ! it’s you who won 2014’s Kyushu Article Contest ! Congratulations (I’m the one who made the 2015 edition website). I’m going to Ibusuki and this will be helpful.
Can the burried ladies can take pictures for you ? (I’ll be travelling alone)
Yes, that was me. Thank you! I didn’t know you became involved with it – cool! If I remember correctly, they were taking photos for some other groups. But in any case, I’m sure if you ask they would be happy to. They were really nice and even came by to wipe the sweat from your brow!
I’ve been doing research on Japan. I’m in the 4th grade but idc I love Japan. I’ve been recently been doing research on the outer islands of Japan and this one has always been the most strange but satisfying.
Hi Jess I’m arriving into Kagoshima cruise bay and would love to do this tour. What’s the best way to get there? Is there an age limit for the sand baths? Thanks Karen
Hi Jess (I’m a Jess from Australia too)! Just a quick question- did you need to book prior to visiting the Kaikan or did you just turn up? I’m thinking of taking my mother when she visits Japan at the end of this month, but I wanted to make sure we could go!
Any extra information would be terrific!
Jess xx
Yay for Jess’ from Australia! :) No, no booking required. Just turn up. There are plenty of spaces down on the beach, but even if by chance it is busy when you visit, you won’t need to wait long (as people are only in the sand for 15 mins). Have an amazing time! Let us know how you like it! x
That is bizarre. I never heard of this before but would love to try it.
This is so cool! I showed pictures to my husband (apparently Kagoshima my mother-in-laws hometown).
He said you can also do salt baths in Tokyo (I hope he’s right). This looks like a lot of fun and a great experience!
Yes, it’s Kagoshima indeed!
They have them in Tokyo? I’ve love to know where! Please let me know if you find out! :)
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!
I feel the fun!
It’s definitely a lot of fun, Bob!
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..;)”:):)
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! ;)
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. :)
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 :)
Interesting – Beautiful Photos:)
Thank you! :)
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! :)
beautiful!
Thank you and thanks so much for the follow! Much appreciated! :)
how fun!
J.
Thanks! It was a lot of fun! :)