Sand Bath
• The Satsuma Peninsula area has a group of hot springs. Ibusuki Onsen is especially well-known for its steam sand baths and attracts many tourists throughout the year.
• The hot spring water is not seawater, but it is drawn from deep underground and contains marine minerals. This allows the sandy beach to be used as a natural sauna.
• A natural steam sand site was discovered there about 300 years ago. At first, people regarded it merely as a dangerous place.
• Recently, its unique health benefits have been proven by medical research. Sand bathing improves blood circulation, promoting better blood flow throughout the body.
How to take a sand bath
- Buy a ticket and receive a yukata and towels.
- Change into the yukata in the dressing room and place your bag and other belongings in a locker.
- Go down to the sand bath area at the seashore, bringing a towel to protect your face from the sand.
- Lie down on your back at a designated spot. An attendant, called a “sunakake-san,” will cover you with warm sand.
- After 5, 10, or 15 minutes, you will be sweating heavily. Get up, dust off the sand, and return to the shower room to wash off the remaining sand.
- Finally, soak in the hot bathtub to relax.
Mt. Kaimondake
Mt. Kaimondake is a volcano located at the southern edge of the Satsuma Peninsula, rising to a height of 924 m. With its beautiful conical shape, it is often called “Satsuma Fuji.”
Nishioyama Station
“Mt. Kaimondake, a volcano on the southern edge of the Satsuma Peninsula, rises to a height of 924 m. Its beautiful conical shape earns it the nickname ‘Satsuma Fuji.'”
Lake Ikeda
It is a caldera lake located 40 km from Kagoshima City and is the largest lake in Kyushu, with a shoreline of 15 km and a maximum depth of 225 m. It is inhabited by giant eels, measuring up to 1.8 m long and 60 cm in circumference, which are designated as a National Natural Monument. The lake is also famous for a mythical dinosaur-like monster, similar to the Loch Ness Monster, named “Issie.” This legend attracts many tourists.
