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Kagoshima Prefecture, located at the southernmost part of Kyushu, is blessed with Mt. Sakurajima, a subtropical natural environment and hot springs. Being so far removed from central Japan, this area has its own unique culture and history. The southern part of Kagoshima Prefecture has two big peninsulas: the Satsuma Peninsula in the west and Osumi Peninsula in the east. Ibusuki is located at the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula. With the exotic atmosphere of a “southern land,” beautiful scenery stretches out against the backdrop of 924-meter Mt. Kaimon-dake, a beautiful cone-shaped mountain near the coast and is also called Satsuma Fuji. Ibusuki is famous for hot sand baths. Covered by sand that is warmed up by hot springs under the ground, the body’s circulation of the blood is improved and waste materials are passed out of the body with sweat. The baths are good for lower back pain, shoulder stiffness and rheumatism. Treatment using sand baths has a 300-year history.

You lie flat on your back on the beach and are covered with sand by staff. Within around ten minutes, you will begin to sweat. With the posture, an appropriate weight of the sand and heat of about 50 degrees C, your blood circulation is improved, and this type or bath is said to have three or four times more benefit than ordinary onsen bathing. You will sweat profusely and after thus soaking, you will feel very relaxed and refreshed.
You can see unconfined animals, such as squirrel monkeys or macaws, at Nabasakibana Parking Garden, which reproduces a tropical jungle full of subtropical plants, located at Nagasakibana, the southernmost part of the Satsuma Peninsula. And Chiran, a town famous for old samurai houses, is quite near. Kagoshima City is one of the places shown in “Atsuhime,” or “Princess Atsu,” which was NHK TV’s popular period drama for 2008. Seeing historical sites and Mt. Sakurajima, one of the well-known active volcanoes in the world, is sure to be enjoyable. It takes 55 minutes from Kagoshima Chuo Station to Ibusuki Station by rapid train on the JR Ibusuki Makurazaki Line.

Efficacy	Neuralgia, rheumatism, poor blood circulation, and others
Address	Ibusuki-shi, Kagoshima
Link	Ibusuki City Tourist Association

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