VOLCANIC SAND BATH? YES!! Welcome to Ibusuki, Kagoshima!
In this episode, John travels to Kagoshima prefecture on the bottom of Kyushu to visit this unique style of onsen. It’s call “suna mushi onsen” (砂むし温泉) in Japan. This style of Volcanic Sand Bath is only in Ibusuki, Kagoshima.
There are several health benefits associated to suna mushi onsen.
★ Good for the skin
★ Improves blood circulation
★ Increases your metabolism
★ Relaxation
The sand is on average 50 to 55 degrees Celsius (~122 F) and that heat can be adjusted for children (cooler) — or hotter for those who can take the heat.
The recommended time limit in the sand bath is 10 minutes although I like to stay under for 15 minutes. You can stay as long as you like but to be honest, you can’t stay over 15-20 minutes because your skin and body just can’t manage it.
After the sand bath, you rinse off, return to blue yukata robe and soak in an onsen if you like.
The whole experience is only 1080 yen.
A small towel is 120 yen. Lockers and a yukata are included.
Getting to Kagoshima:
Flight: I flew SKYMARK airlines for 9,800 yen but ANA and JAL also fly to Kagoshima from Tokyo as well as Osaka / Kansai.
Train:
Kagoshima is now linked by the Shinkansen like from Tokyo but it takes about 7-8 hours with a change of trains in either Hakata (Fukuoka).
Bus: There are night buses from Osaka, Fukuoka and Tokyo.
I recommend flying though.
Google Map:
Suna Mushi Onsen
URL:
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Ask Rufus by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (
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Dangerous by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (
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Thank you to everyone who contributed to the subtitles of this episode. Credit as collaborators:
(Esperanto) lusentoj
This show has been created and produced by John Daub ジョン・ドーブ. He’s been living and working in Japan for over 18 years and regularly reports on TV for Japan’s International Channel.