It was a short taxi ride over from Ibusuki Station to IBUSUKI SUNAMUSHI ONSEN Natural Sand Bath. After purchasing a ticket, I was given a towel and yukata and headed downstairs to change. I was told to wear nothing underneath, just to wrap myself in the cotton robe, secure the belt, and head out the back door by the sea for my sand bath experience. As I left the building, I was handed a pair of plastic beach sandals, and off I went to bathe in the sand. The beach is manicured, rock-free with course black, volcanic sand, and looks out to mountains across the bay.
The roof-covered area by the sea
I was told that one could opt to have a bath right on the beach during high tide or rainy weather, but I chose to go to a roof-covered area and bathe next to other tourists in my own little section. I was glad I chose that option, as the thought of being buried in the sand with only my towel-wrapped face showing under a tiny umbrella was worrying enough without having to consider the possibility of waves or a gust of wind, or even seagulls. I followed the instructions of the experienced shovel-wielding gents. I lowered my yukata-clad self down in the sand and these fellows literally poured shovels full of clean, warm, black, volcanic sand over me.
Getting covered with sand
I was buried deep enough so that I couldn’t move my arms or legs. The secret to enjoying this experience is to completely relax and go with the flow. After a few minutes, you can really feel the heat. The usual stay is up to ten minutes. I lasted a bit more than five. I was glad when my kind rescuers helped me remove the sand and I could head back inside for a shower and onsen bath. The hot sand bath really zaps the moisture from your body, so be sure to drink a bottle of spring water to rehydrate. Afterwards, you’ll feel totally clean and relaxed.
Up to my neck in sand and happy
Bruce Haendel
Bruce has lived in Japan since 1985. He has traveled extensively around the world for work and pleasure. Bruce lectured at Kyushu Institute of Technology for 15 years and at Fukuoka's Nakamura Gakuen University School of Business, Marketing, and Distribution, for 7 years.
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