Getting Buried Alive (On Purpose!) in Kagoshima

I thought I knew what to expect when it came to Japanese onsens. You know, hot springs, steamy baths, the occasional sauna—very chill, very relaxing. But then I visited Ibusuki in Kagoshima, down in the southern part of Japan, and discovered something completely different: the sand bath.

Yes, a sand bath. And yes, you literally get buried.

Ibusuki calls itself the “Hawaii of Japan,” and honestly, I get why. The weather was warm, the sun was blazing, and the beach stretched out forever with soft white sand and clear blue sea that melted into the sky. I almost forgot I was in Japan—it felt like I had somehow landed on a tropical island.

This is where the sand bath comes in. Ibusuki is full of natural hot springs that run just a metre beneath the surface—even on the beach! So instead of soaking in a tub, you lie down in warm sand that’s been heated by the earth itself.

At the sandbath I saw people walking around in yukata (light cotton robes), and it honestly looked like they were lining up to be buried alive. Spoiler: they were. And soon, so was I.

Here’s how it works: you change into a yukata, head down to the beach, and lie in a little dug-out spot in the hot sand. Then, a staff member—who’s basically a professional sand-bath digger—starts to pile sand all over you, up to your neck. They even put a towel on your head so sand doesn’t get in your hair. It feels really warm and heavy (in a weirdly cosy way), like being tucked into a giant, earthy blanket. And yes, they’ll totally take a photo of you buried in the sand if you ask.

You stay buried for about 10 to 15 minutes, and by the end of it, you’re super relaxed and sweaty in the best way. It felt kind of like a cross between a hot spring and a sauna, but way more fun—and way more surreal. Then if you want you can walk a few meters and jump into the cool sea. At least I did.

If you’re an onsen fan, or just someone who likes to try weird but awesome things while travelling, I 100% recommend the Ibusuki sand bath. It’s not every day you get to say you were buried alive and loved it!