Ibusuki Travel Guide
last update: March 15, 2025
Ibusuki is a renowned hot spring resort located at the southernmost tip of Kagoshima Prefecture, famous for its
hot sand baths (
sunamushi onsen), a rare spa experience even in Japan. The town is situated at the end of Kagoshima Bay, where it opens to the Pacific Ocean, offering spectacular coastal landscapes. The area is characterized by volcanic beaches, inlets, and small islands like
Chiringashima, along with the imposing presence of
Mount Kaimon, a perfectly conical volcano known as the "Fuji of Satsuma." Ibusuki is easily accessible by car and train from
Kagoshima, with frequent connections making it a perfect destination for a day trip. The journey itself offers stunning seaside views, making a visit to Ibusuki an enjoyable experience from the very beginning.
Things to See and Do in Ibusuki
At Ibusuki Station, you'll find a helpful tourist information center and a large foot bath onsen, perfect for relaxing before or after your trip. However, outside the station, the town itself feels rather quiet. The shopping streets that branch out from here show signs of a bygone era: once symbols of the economic and population boom of the 1980s, many businesses have since closed, leaving behind rows of shuttered storefronts. Despite this, among the older buildings, you can still find restaurants and shops that remain in business, keeping part of the local atmosphere alive. Most visitors to Ibusuki, however, head directly to the hot spring resorts and large hotels along the coast, as the town itself does not have a particularly lively central district.
The view outside Ibusuki Station
The foot bath onsen in front of Ibusuki Station
Hot Sand Baths (Sunamushi Onsen)
The hot sand baths (砂風呂, sunaburo in Japanese) are the main attraction of Ibusuki. In these unique onsen, visitors are buried up to their necks in naturally heated volcanic sand, allowing the warmth to penetrate deep into the body. This treatment, practiced for over 300 years, is known for its therapeutic benefits, including improved blood circulation and muscle relaxation. You can try this experience at the Saraku Sand Bath Hall (the most accessible by public transport), at the Healthy Land Tamatebako Onsen (a much larger facility with beautiful seaside pools, though harder to reach), or at several hotels in the area.
Saraku Sand Bath Hall
(admission 1,100¥, open 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM)
The Saraku Sand Bath Hall is a hot spring facility located about a 20-minute walk from JR Ibusuki Station, making it easily accessible even for those traveling without a car and an ideal destination for day trips from Kagoshima. Upon arrival, guests wear a provided yukata and head to the beach, where they are gently covered with naturally heated volcanic sand from underground hot springs. If the weather is good, your body will be buried outdoors on the beach, with a small parasol placed next to you to shade your face from the sun. If the weather is bad, the experience still takes place on the beach but under a covered structure. There is no strict time limit for staying under the sand, but a duration of 10-15 minutes is generally recommended. After the sand bath, guests rinse off and can then enjoy regular hot water onsen baths.
The large beach in front of the Saraku Sand Bath Hall
The covered area where sand baths are held when outdoor beach sessions are not possible
Healthy Land Tamatebako Onsen
The Healthy Land Tamatebako Onsen is a renowned hot spring complex located along the Fushime coast in Ibusuki. This facility offers a unique experience thanks to its open-air baths with panoramic views of Mount Kaimon, known as the "Mount Fuji of Satsuma," and the vast East China Sea. The complex features various types of baths, including outdoor pools, and also offers hot sand baths on the nearby beach. Reaching Healthy Land Tamatebako Onsen without your own vehicle can be challenging. Although there are buses connecting Ibusuki Station to the facility, they are infrequent and require careful planning. Alternatively, taking a taxi from Ibusuki Station is an option, but it comes with additional costs.
One of the beautiful seaside hot spring baths at Healthy Land
Hot sand baths at Healthy Land
Southern Coast of Ibusuki – Cape Nagasakibana and Mount Kaimondake
Located at the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula, not far from the Healthy Land hot spring complex, Cape Nagasakibana and Mount Kaimondake offer breathtaking scenery.
Cape Nagasakibana
Cape Nagasakibana is a narrow strip of land that extends into the sea at the southernmost point of the Satsuma Peninsula, offering spectacular views of Mount Kaimondake and the surrounding ocean. Along the path leading to the cape, visitors will find the Ryugu Shrine, dedicated to the princess from the legend of Urashima Taro, a famous Japanese folktale. Many visitors write their wishes on seashells and leave them at the shrine. Continuing along the path, there is a statue of Urashima Taro, the protagonist of the story. At the end of the trail, a lighthouse provides a stunning panoramic view of the ocean and Mount Kaimondake in the distance, with its perfectly conical shape. Near the cape, you will also find the Nagasakibana Parking Garden, a park featuring a variety of tropical plants and animals. A bit further north, Flower Park Kagoshima is an even larger park with over 2,400 species of plants and flowers from around the world, set against the backdrop of the ocean.
Mount Kaimondake
Dominating the landscape with its nearly perfect conical shape, Mount Kaimondake, often referred to as the "Mount Fuji of Satsuma," is a dormant volcano rising 924 meters above sea level. The view of this mountain from the surrounding area, particularly from Cape Nagasakibana, is breathtaking and represents an iconic postcard image of the region. For hiking enthusiasts, it is also possible to climb to the summit via a trail approximately 4.5 km long. However, the ascent is quite challenging and requires good physical fitness.
Mount Kaimondake as seen from Cape Nagasakibana (credits)
North Coast of Ibusuki
The area along the northern coast of Ibusuki is home to several seaside hotels, which are especially popular during the summer months. This region also features the fascinating Chiringashima Island, an uninhabited island accessible on foot during low tide thanks to a natural sandbar that connects it to the mainland, making it an ideal place for a scenic walk and enjoying nature. For a spectacular view of the island from the mainland, you can climb Uomidake Hill. Standing at only 215 meters and accessible by car, its summit offers a panoramic viewpoint where you can admire the entire city of Ibusuki and the surrounding coastal landscape, with the thin strip of land connecting the mainland to Chiringashima Island. Uomidake is also very popular in spring when its 600 cherry trees bloom, covering the hill in pink. Also in this area, you’ll find a popular museum, the Satsuma Denshokan Museum.
The sandbar connecting Chiringashima Island to Ibusuki
View of Chiringashima from Uomidake
Satsuma Denshokan Museum
The Satsuma Denshokan Museum is a private museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Satsuma region. The museum is also famous for its architectural style, inspired by the Phoenix Hall of Byodoin Temple in Uji, reflecting traditional Japanese aesthetics. The structure features sturdy pillars, intricate wooden joints, and large eaves, symbolizing the resilience and spirit of the Satsuma people. The museum houses a collection of approximately 3,000 artifacts, particularly a vast collection of ceramics and other historical objects. The facility is located within the grounds of the Hakusuikan Hotel.
Other Attractions
Ibusuki and the Pokémon Eevee-Themed Manhole Covers
For several years, the city of Ibusuki has had a special collaboration with the popular Pokémon Eevee, making it a must-visit destination for fans of the series. Throughout the city, you’ll find depictions of the famous Pokémon. Eevee was chosen as Ibusuki’s mascot due to a wordplay: combining Eevee’s Japanese name (イーブイ, Ībui) with the verb "suki" (すき), which means "to like" or "to love," creates a pronunciation similar to "Ibusuki" (いぶすき). This initiative has led to the installation of nine exclusive manhole covers ("Pokéfuta" in Japanese), each featuring Eevee and its eight evolutions. These urban artworks decorate the streets of Ibusuki and also serve as points of interest for Pokémon enthusiasts. Additionally, in the mobile game "Pokémon GO," these manholes function as special PokéStops, allowing players to interact while visiting the city.
Where to Stay in Ibusuki – Recommended Hotels
Along the coast of Ibusuki, from north to south, you’ll find several large hotels, most of which are equipped with hot springs, sand baths, and some even with regular swimming pools for summer use. Among them, the best option is the Hakusuikan, a large luxury resort that also houses the Satsuma Denshokan Museum, which is open to the public. Two other excellent hotels, more affordable than Hakusuikan, are Kyukamura Ibusuki in the north, near Chiringashima Island, and the Ibusuki Royal Hotel in the south.
Sea view rooms at Hakusuikan Hotel
How to Get to and Around Ibusuki
Ibusuki is located in the southernmost part of the Satsuma Peninsula and is easily accessible from Kagoshima by train. Ibusuki Station and Kagoshima Chuo Station are connected by the JR Ibusuki Makurazaki Line. This line operates both limited-express trains (50 minutes, 2,300¥) and local trains (70-80 minutes, 1,020¥). While local trains run throughout the day (two to three departures per hour), there are only three or four limited-express train departures per day, so planning your schedule in advance is recommended.
The Saraku Sand Bath Hall is a 15-minute walk or a five-minute bus ride (160¥) or taxi ride from Ibusuki Station. Healthy Land, however, is in a different area from Ibusuki Station, approximately 10 km away. From Ibusuki, you can take local buses heading to Kaimon Station (開聞駅前) and get off at the "Healthyland" (ヘルシーランド) bus stop. If you prefer to take a taxi, they are available outside both Ibusuki Station and Yamakawa Station (which is closer to Healthy Land). However, there are no taxis outside Oyama Station, which may appear to be the closest on a map but is not the best option for accessing Healthy Land.
The same buses heading to Kaimon also stop at Cape Nagasakibana after Healthy Land, allowing visitors to explore the attractions in the area.
For the northern coast of Ibusuki, where the Satsuma Denshokan Museum and Chiringashima Island are located, the only options for transportation are private vehicles or taxis.
In general, using public transportation is easy and convenient if you plan to make a short visit to Ibusuki to experience the sand baths and return to Kagoshima, as many tourists do. However, if you want to explore the city and the Satsuma Peninsula more thoroughly, renting a car is highly recommended.
Ibusuki Map
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The view outside Ibusuki Station
The foot bath onsen in front of Ibusuki Station
The large beach in front of the Saraku Sand Bath Hall
The covered area where sand baths are held when outdoor beach sessions are not possible
One of the beautiful seaside hot spring baths at Healthy Land
Hot sand baths at Healthy Land
Mount Kaimondake as seen from Cape Nagasakibana (credits)
The sandbar connecting Chiringashima Island to Ibusuki
View of Chiringashima from Uomidake
Sea view rooms at Hakusuikan Hotel
