Ibusuki Onsen

The sand bath hot spring in Ibusuki Onsen is a special experience where you bathe in warm sand using the hot springs that gush out along the unique coastline of Ibusuki Onsen. This sand bath has been around since the Edo period and there are several sand bath locations scattered throughout the city. The bathing method at the sand bath is unique and unlike anything else. First, you change into a yukata and head to the sand bath area. When you lie down on the sand, an attendant called the "sand thrower" will cover your entire body with sand from the neck down. This will warm you up gently in the sand. After about 10 minutes, your entire body will be covered in sweat. Then, you slowly raise your upper body while brushing off the sand from your chest and stomach with your arms, and a refreshing feeling will spread throughout your body. After bathing, you can wash off the sand and sweat in the dedicated shower room and then relax in the large public bath at Ibusuki Onsen. Experiencing the sand bath hot spring will envelop you in a pleasant fatigue that you have never experienced before. The warm sand and pleasant sweat will refresh your body. The sand bath hot spring in Ibusuki Onsen is loved by many people as a special hot spring experience!

The Tamatebako Onsen at Ibusuki Onsen's Healthy Land has won first place in the day-trip hot springs and spa category for the fifth consecutive year, boasting a stunning open-air bath. In front of the vast open-air bath lies the vast expanse of the East China Sea, and when you sink into the bath, you can enjoy a world where the hot springs and the sea merge into an infinity. There are two types of this stunning open-air bath. The Japanese-style open-air bath has a large bath and offers a view of the beautiful ridgeline of Mt. Kaimondake. On the other hand, the Western-style open-air bath has two baths and offers a view of the peculiar rock formations and bamboo mountains that resemble Snoopy lying down. The scenery is truly breathtaking, providing a healing and relaxing moment for the heart. Next to the Tamatebako Onsen is the Yamakawa Sunamushi Onsen "Sunayuri," where you can experience sunamushi (hot sand bath). A free shuttle bus is available to travel between the two, and a set ticket is also available to enjoy both at a great price. The Tamatebako Onsen at Ibusuki Onsen's Healthy Land is popular for its luxurious experience of stunning scenery and hot springs. Visitors can surrender themselves to the beautiful scenery and hot springs, and be healed both mentally and physically!

Hashimuregawa Ruins, located in Jūnichō, Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, is a complex archaeological site spanning from the Jōmon period to the Heian period. Notably, this site was the first to academically prove the relationship between the Jōmon and Yayoi periods, attracting widespread attention for its significance. The entire site is layered, with artifacts and structures from each period stacked on top of one another. Excavations at this site have revealed the lifestyle, culture, and social changes of people from the Jōmon to Yayoi periods. Artifacts such as pottery, stone tools, and human bones have been discovered, serving as important materials that demonstrate the characteristics of each period and region. Hashimuregawa Ruins holds an important position in Japanese archaeological research, deepening our understanding of the Jōmon and Yayoi periods. The discovery and research results of this site have made significant contributions to the study of ancient and cultural history in Japan!

The Iwasaki Museum is located in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, near the Ibusuki hot springs. The museum exhibits works of art such as modern Western paintings from Japan and France. In particular, you can appreciate the works of pioneers in the modern Western painting world such as Kiyokata Kuroda's "Autumn Grass," Takeji Fujishima, Ryuzaburo Umehara, and Seijo Togo. The museum also exhibits works by French painter Maurice de Vlaminck. These works are not only interesting for their artistic value, but also for their historical background and the evolution of art. The museum also has a crafts museum, which exhibits valuable materials that offer a glimpse into history and culture, such as Satsuma pottery exported from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji period, calligraphy by Takamori Saigo and Toshimichi Okubo, and ethnic art from Papua New Guinea. The Iwasaki Museum is recommended as a place to enjoy cultural appreciation when visiting Ibusuki hot springs. Through various works from different eras and regions, you can experience art and history.

At Ibusuki Onsen, you can enjoy local specialties unique to the area. First and foremost is the "Ibusuki Onsen Cider". Made with natural spring water from the Karasugawa Ravine, it has been selected as one of the top 100 famous waters of the Heisei era. With a refreshing and invigorating taste, it's perfect after a soak in the hot springs. The "Otamalarn Don" and "Otamalarn Pork" are also recommended. The Otamalarn Don features a variety of locally sourced ingredients such as local chicken, black pork, eel, and okra, served on top of a soft-boiled hot spring egg boiled in the source of the Sunamushi Onsen, creating a rich and varied bowl. Many restaurants offer their own original bowls, so it's recommended to visit multiple shops to enjoy the local flavors. On the other hand, Otamalarn Pork is a black pork dish that goes well with Ibusuki's sweet potato shochu, and is served with a hot spring egg. Various original menus can also be enjoyed at local restaurants. During your stay in Ibusuki Onsen, be sure to try these local specialties and fully enjoy the local flavors. The taste created by local ingredients and unique cooking methods is the charm unique to Ibusuki Onsen!