Throughout history, the Japanese have known how to take advantage of nature's gifts to improve both physical and mental health, such as bathing in the sea, hot mineral baths, saunas, or forest bathing. Among them, the hot sand bath method in Ibusuki is becoming a trend because of its many unexpected health benefits.
Unlike other beaches, the sand on Ibusuki beach is black and is one of the hottest beach sands in the world. In some places, the temperature of the sand can reach up to 85°C. Since the 1800s, Ibusuki people have used this hot sand to cover their bodies, to eliminate toxins through sweat, helping to reduce diseases such as bone and joint pain, asthma, anemia, etc. Gradually, this habit has formed a unique health care therapy that the Japanese call Sunamushi Onsen (sand bath).
Located in an active volcanic area deep underground, Ibusuki Beach is also where the hot underground water meets the cold sea water. The intersection of the two water sources creates steam that brings many minerals and heat to the sand, which is very good for human health.
In Ibusuki, sand bathing is available at many resorts along the beach, costing around $10. You can choose to sand bathe right on the beach if the weather is nice and the tide is low; or experience it in the covered baths located right on the beach if it rains.
To begin the sand bathing process, visitors wear Yukata - a type of clothing similar to a traditional Kimono, but thin enough to speed up the process of transferring heat from the sand to the body. In addition, visitors will be given two towels, one to wrap around the neck, avoiding direct contact of sand with the face and one to wipe after bathing.
After choosing a suitable bathing spot, the attendant will help you dig a shallow hole that fits your body size, at the right depth and sand temperature (the deeper the higher the temperature). You lie down, the sand will be filled up to your chin, leaving only your face. After about 10 minutes of being wrapped in sand with a temperature of 50 to 55 degrees Celsius, your whole body will be drenched in sweat. The toxins in the body are purified out, all muscles are relaxed, the steam emitted from the sand carries minerals, when inhaled it will help blood circulate better.
After leaving the sand bath, visitors go to the bathhouse to wash off the sand and soak in the hot mineral water bath. At this time, visitors are advised to drink more water because the body has lost water due to sweating. A small note is that you should not take a sand bath after consuming alcoholic beverages and must leave the sand bath immediately if you feel too hot.
Today, scientists at the Faculty of Medicine - Kagoshima University have proven that the benefits of sand bathing are 3-4 times more than regular hot spring bathing. Sand bathing at Ibusuki beach helps provide oxygen and nutrients to all organs, remove toxins from the body, improve blood circulation, thereby making the body and mind feel refreshed. Sand bathing is also considered a beauty treatment because the hot steam emitted from the sand contains minerals that help rejuvenate the skin and reduce inflammation.
Many tourists after experiencing hot sand bathing have confirmed that lying on the beach, the sound of the waves and the feeling of their entire body buried in hot sand helped them relax and relieve physical and mental pressure.
Bathing in hot springs at Unagi Onsen village is also an experience worth trying when coming to Ibusuki.
Mount Kaimondake - the symbol of the Kaigoshima region
Sand bathing has become a popular service among Japanese people, as well as a new experience for foreign tourists when coming to Ibusuki. In addition to sand bathing, Ibusuki town also has spectacular natural landscapes, such as the iconic 924 m high Kaimondake mountain, considered the “Fuji” of Satsuma. In addition, visitors should not miss the hot mineral bath experience at Unagi Onsen - a peaceful small village with many small hot springs run by households.
