Saraku Sand Bath Hall- Ibusuki City: Kagoshima Prefecture

The Saraku sand baths in Kagoshima prefecture one of those activities that if you get the opportunity to try, you must take it with both hands.  It's one of those experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life, and although it may be uncomfortable, or you may be unwilling at first, there is absolutely no regret after experiencing the power of mother nature, and it’s infused benefits that you will feel from the sands volcanic activity.

It’s quite a simple process, you are given a Yukata, which is a summer kimono, you put that on over your undergarments, you walk down to the beach, the friendly staff tell you where to lie down, and they gently cover you with volcanic sand which impacts its warmth and resulting health benefits within minutes. It doesn’t take too long for the heat to build up and what this does in fact is get the blood circulating around the body to remove toxins to start sweating out the waste products that are causing issues in relation to inflammation and arthritis and other health issues.

Once you have finished, normally between 15 to 20 minutes, you walk back up to the change rooms take a shower and then have the opportunity to soak in the Onsen (hot volcanic baths)  to again receive more medicinal benefits. You will have a modesty towel to cover yourselves somewhat, but you know what they say when in Rome do what the Romans do and for all intents and purposes, no one is looking at you. It’s just we are not used to public bathing in western culture.

If the public bathing is an absolute no, we do have the opportunity to ask for private showers, but we will have to use an excuse that it’s for religious if not medical reasons. All I can say is this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and your body will thank you for hours if not days afterwards  it’s an experience the Japanese take for granted but for us international tourist it’s an incredible experience in a win-win situation for everyone. 

Please check out the Saraku Sand Bath Hall here on a map below:

Please click on these pictures below to enlarge:

Welcome to Ibusuki

Seperate bathing of course

The beach scene in March

This is a centuries old health experience

Views are also spectacular

Off they go!

WOW!

How was it?

Loved it!

All smiles

Please click on these videos below to see more about the Saraku Sand Baths of Kagoshima: