Sand, Wine, and Coffee; Japan’s Unique Bath Houses

The sand bath is on the rise globally. Ibusuki is famous for its sand baths where visitors are buried in hot sand that has been heated by hot spring water underground.

Summary

The sand bath is on the rise globally. Ibusuki is famous for its sand baths where visitors are buried in hot sand that has been heated by hot spring water underground. It is believed to help cure some illnesses and detoxify the body. The unique and fun opportunity practiced on a subtropical beach is a must try. Apart from many traditional hot springs, Japan boosts its unconventional hot springs with a hint of eccentricity. A selection of recommended hot springs are unique and easy to access.

What Is A Sand Bath And Its Health Benefits?

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In a sand bath, the body is immersed in hot sand, which is known as psammotherapy or sand therapy. The sand bath is seen in various places, such as hot springs and beauty salons. Wherever it is, people are normally covered with heated sands, and stay underneath for a certain time. It sounds like a new trend, but it is an ancient healing tradition for reducing pain, which originated in Egypt. Warm sands provide an even source of heat, which helps to relax your mind and remove toxins from the body. Allegedly, it is particularly beneficial to people suffering from rheumatism, arthritis, sciatica, acne and psoriasis.

Sand baths are seen extensively in Asia and in Mediterranean countries, such as Japan, Thailand and Morocco. Recently, it has grown popular among tourists and businesses, and the technique is considered as part of beauty treatments. Some places use additional items such as medicinal plants, ancient grains, spices and fruits, for a sand bath. The method varies from place to place, however, in principle, you are buried in sand that is heated by nature, in which you recline face-up in the sand, keeping your head free. Just about 20 minutes later, you are unburied and will feel a joy and a sense of achievement.

Where To Go For Sand Bath

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Do You Fancy Sand Bathing?
Why not try a Japanese style? Japan is well known for hot springs which are acclaimed for fantastic medicinal benefits. Sand baths are a unique style of hot spring with over 300 years of history.

There are many hot springs in Japan and they are all a big part of Japanese culture.The majority of which serve a water hot spring, but some provide natural sand baths. Of which, Ibusuki hot spring located at Kagoshima prefecture in Kyushu, is renowned as a rare natural spa, where people are buried in simmering sand along the Ibusuki beach. The area is a mild subtropical climate and blessed with volcanic waters. The quality and the uniqueness of Ibusuki beach is acclaimed by hot spring experts of Japan and the sandy procedure is said to be good for rheumatism, back pain, paralysis, hemorrhoids, diabetes, mensutral disorder, infertility, asthma, anemia, and constipation. Because Ibusuki beach is known to relieve so many ailments, it attracts many locals as well as tourists from all over Japan. Recently, research from Kagoshima University found that the sand bath has an effective detox effect, and the health benefits of a sand steam bath is three to four times higher than that of a conventional hot spring. If you are health buff, fun lover, or beauty guru, you must not miss the sand bath experience.

Ibusuki Hot Spring (Saraku-sand bathing hall)

Access
From Tokyo(NRT) to Kagoshima
From Kagoshima Airport to Ibusuki hot spirng
Bus: Ride the Kagoshima city bus from Kagoshima airport to Ibusuki station ( 95 minutes)
and ride the Kagoshima city bus from Ibusuki station to Saraku hall(5 minutes).
Address
5-25-18 Yunohama, Ibusuki city, Kagoshima prefecture
Tel
+81-993-23-3900
*Please note that English may not be spoken in some tourist spot facilities.
Fee
Adults 1,080 yen, Children 590 yen (incl. a rental yukata)
Hours
Open seven days a week. 8:30am～8:30pm(9:00pm close). It may close some days in July and December for maintenance.

How To Bathe

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With about 2,300 known hot springs, Japan offers numerous places, in which people enjoy the medicinal benefits and the unique vibe, from the conventional to the unorthodox with a touch of eccentricity.

Here is the selection of my favourite.

Yoheho No Yado, Yamaga Hot Spring in Kumamoto prefecture

Missed your morning cup of coffee? Here is the one that wakes you up! Yoheho No Yado, is located at Kumamoto prefecture in Kyushu, and is famous for the coffee hot spring. The coffee bath is made by large coffee bags brewing in the hot natural water, which has an abundance of medicinal properties. The special aromatic experience draws many visitors through the door steps. It is believed that the coffee water is good for losing weight, but it is not ready to drink. Take in the bath, relax, savoring the fantastic view through the window. Surely it gives you your fill of coffee for the day!

Address
1-1 Yamaga, Yamaga city, Kumamoto prefecture, 861-0516
TEL
+81-968-41-5635
Hours
4:00PM～10:00PM (Monday-Friday), 7:00AM～10:00AM (Saturday and Sunday)
There is a case to be closed by the convenience.
Fees
Adults 300 yen, Children 200 yen

Hotel Hatta in Yamanashi prefecture

Hotel Hatta is located in Yamanashi prefecture, the home of Japanese wine. The hot spring sprang up in the middle of a vineyard 56 years ago. With this unique location, visitors enjoy wine bath (opens for 24 hours) for its polyphenol effect and the wonderful aroma and color. As the alcohol of the bath is removed, even small children can take a dip in the reddish water. Also, there are many activities to do, such as Yamanashi wine tasting and fruit picking. If you travel a little further, there are many beautiful sightseeing spots including Mt Fuji, the World Heritage Site. However, as many sites as there are, your visit to Hotel Hatta’s wine hot spring is sure to be the most memorable of all.

Access
Train:
Ride Narita Express From Naria airport to JR Shinjuku station(35 minutes)
and ride Chuo line from Shinjuku station to Isawa onsen station(90 minutes)

A shuttle bus running between Isawa-Onsen Station and Hotel Hatta.
Pick-ups are at 14:10, 15:10, 16:10, and 17:10.
Drop-offs are at 8:00, 9:10, 9:40, and 10:10.
All shuttles are matched with the limited express train coming from and going to the Shinjuku area.
Address
822 Isawacho Ichibe, Fuefuki 406-0031, Yamanashi Prefecture
TEL
+81-55-262-3101
Hours
Monday to Sunday: 10:30AM - 5:00PM
Fees
1,480 yen (incl. face towel)