Ibusuki Onsen, located in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, was ranked 7th in the 2024 "Top 100 Hot Springs in Japan," selected by travel professionals including employees of travel agencies and OTAs across the country.
Ibusuki Onsen is most famous for its sand baths. Bathing in sand heated by hot spring water that gushes out from the coast is said to be more effective for beauty and health than soaking in a regular hot spring. Natural sand baths are extremely rare worldwide, and Ibusuki Onsen is the only Ibusuki Onsen in Japan where you can enjoy them. This is why it attracts many tourists from all over Japan.

Ibusuki city has a wide range of facilities where you can enjoy a sand bath while soaking in the rich nature. Yamakawa Sand Bath Hot Spring Sayuri, which reopened for business in December last year, is a popular sand bath hot spring with a great location overlooking the East China Sea. It has been loved by locals for many years for its superb detox experience while being soothed by the sound of the waves. Its appeal has spread, and now it seems that the number of tourists from overseas is increasing significantly.

Just as famous as the sand bath hot springs is the only simple sulfur spring in Ibusuki Onsen, the ward-run Unagi Onsen. Located on the shores of the mysterious crater lake, Unagi Pond, Unagi Onsen is a historic hot spring that was even visited by the late Edo period samurai Saigo Takamori for a therapeutic bath. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the tranquil setting envelops the souls of visitors. The surrounding area still retains its traditional scenery, and the sight of hot spring steam rising from all over the town will help you forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

One of the attractions of Ibusuki Onsen is being able to enjoy local cuisine while strolling through the historic streets. The "Retropical Menu" is a new local gourmet dish that was launched in June this year, and is perfect for satisfying that desire!
As the name suggests, the Retropical Menu combines the charms of both nostalgic retro dishes and tropical dishes that evoke a tropical atmosphere, and 26 restaurants in the city are participating. Each dish is an excellent creation that took a year to create, and the recommended point is that all the ingredients used are agricultural, marine and processed products from Ibusuki City.

The restaurant also offers menu items that will soothe your body after a bath, such as the "Black Pork Retropic Meaty Platter with Honkarebushi," a ramen that is packed with the flavor of Ibusuki's finest Honkarebushi, and the "IBUSUKI pua," which combines Ibusuki edible flowers with tropical fruits.
Why not try a refreshing sweat at Ibusuki Onsen, which will soothe your tired body and mind?