Ibusuki beach
Ibusuki Beach is the most surreal beach not only in Japan but all over the world. It is here that you can see only the heads of vacationers sticking out of the sand and watch how beach workers with shovels in their hands dig in the tourists who came here in the black sand. Against the background of hot steam emanating from black sand on the shore and powerful ocean waves breaking on the coast, this is truly an unusual picture. But it is precisely for the sake of such original relaxation and spa treatments people go here on vacation.
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Beach description
This unique Japanese beach is located on the island of Kyushu in the south of the country, in the province of Satsuma, near the resort of Ibusuki, from which it got its name. This region has long been famous for active volcanic activity, and from the beach you can see the peak of the Kaimondake volcano towering in the distance, better known as Satsuma Fuji. It is this specific landscape that makes Ibusuki particularly attractive.
- The uniqueness of the coast is not so much in the black color of sand, as in the huge amount of minerals that geothermal waters of springs, located near the coast fill it with.
- Due to the volcanic activity of the region, the sand here is always very warm to the touch (it warms up to + 50 + 55 ° C), and Ibusuki Beach is famous for the ritual of sunamushi, which means “sand bathing.
- Vacationers come here in a kimono, and employees of beach resorts located on the coast dig holes in the sand and put in them those who want to feel all the miraculous power of healing volcanic sands.
It is believed that such natural sand "baths" can relieve rheumatism, various pains, anemia and a number of different disorders and health problems. Also, several scientific studies have confirmed that breathing in fumes on this beach improves blood circulation 3-4 times more effective than relaxing in ordinary hot springs. But it is worth mentioning that such "baths" are contraindicated for pregnant women and those who have heart problems.
When is the best time to go?
If in the north of Japan, in Hokkaido, the weather in January-February is quite wintery, in the southern islands the temperature rarely drops below 20 degrees even in the cold season. In summer, the rainy season comes in Japan, when the humidity becomes almost one hundred percent, and the thermometer is at 30 to 40 degrees. Therefore, the best time to travel to Japan – is late spring or early autumn.
Video: Beach Ibusuki
Infrastructure
Despite the atypical beach vacation, the infrastructure of Ibusuki Beach pleases with many opportunities for a comfortable stay here.
- You can sit directly on the sand under the open sky, renting an umbrella to protect yourself from the sun and a towel to wrap your head. Also, there are separate pavilions without floors on the shore, where the most comfortable conditions for relaxing in the sand are created, and vacationers are provided with yukatas and towels.
- There are changing cabins on the coast where you can change clothes for taking “sand baths”, and showers where you can wash off the sand after sunamushi.
- After taking a shower, you can complete the complex of beach spa treatments with immersion in onsen, the hot springs.
Most hotels are located on the northern edge of the beach. You can stay at a comfortable four-star hotel Kyukamura Ibusuki or at a more budget-friendly three-star hotel Ibusuki Seaside. For those who seek luxurious life, the best option is Hakusuikan, five-star hotel just few steps from the beach. There is a campsite for the most budget accommodation on the beach.
Weather in Ibusuki
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All hotels of IbusukiUseful information
- To take sand "baths" it is recommended to wear a summer version of the kimono called yukata. You won't feel the heat, it lets in volcanic steam and at the same time allows you not to burn yourself on the hot sand. The duration of Ibusuki "sand bath" is from 10 to 20 minutes. This time is enough to get a healing effect from the "bathing."
- On the northern outskirts, a sandbank connects the beach with Chiringashima. During the high tides from March to October, you can walk 800 meters to a forest island with short paths and picturesque sea cliffs.
- There is the volcanic Ikeda lake in the vicinity of Ibusuka. According to the legend, the Japanese counterpart of the Scottish Nessie lives in its waters. In fact, this lake is the habitat of giant freshwater eels, which can reach a length of up to 2 m. But to maintain the beautiful legend of Issy, a monument to this water monster was erected on the lake shore. It is worth visiting here to look at it and the picturesque scenery of the lake.
- You can also climb to the top of Kaimondake (it takes about 4-5 hours) and play golf on the field, which is located at the foot of the sleeping volcano. Relatively close to the mountain is Nagasakibana mull, it is the southernmost outskirts of the Satsuma Peninsula, there are many shops and souvenir stalls, as well as excellent viewing platforms. Kagoshima Botanical Garden is about 1 km from the mull, where various tropical plants of Japan and other countries grow (there are more than 400 thousand of them).