Sand Steam Onsen
A natural sand steam onsen, unparalleled in the world
The Charm of Sand Steam Onsen
The 'Natural Sand Steam Onsen', a rarity in the world, utilizes the abundant hot springs that naturally gush out on the coast. The water quality of the sand steam onsen is generally a sodium chloride spring, also known as 'salt spring'.
According to medical (academic) research by the Faculty of Medicine at Kagoshima University, its bathing effects have been proven effective for diseases accompanied by pain, stiffness, and coldness, such as neuralgia, rheumatism, lower back pain, frozen shoulder, knee joint pain, post-stroke paralysis, fractures, and menopausal disorders.
The sand steam onsen, with its high detox effect, is also popular among young women for full-body beauty and is well-received by foreigners as a Japanese-style sauna.
Is This the Only Place for a Sand Steam Onsen Experience?
The fine sand is a mix of black and white
All-weather facility and black sand
Large, black sand grains are suitable for sand steaming
The 'sand characteristics' of the sand steam, which utilizes the hot springs gushing out on the coast, are also perfect for enjoying the sand steam onsen effectively and safely. Have you noticed that the sandy beaches of Ibusuki are 'black'?
Ibusuki is a mysterious land born from numerous eruptions. It is said that hot springs will gush out if you dig a few meters in the city area where Saraku is located. On the coast, hot springs of about 80°C gush out, and steam can also be confirmed. The sand for the sand steam, born from volcanoes, is blacker and has larger particles than ordinary sand.
Due to the size of these particles, there are moderate air passages even during the sand steam, allowing you to enjoy it with a silky feeling and peace of mind.
Onsen Water and Seawater are Different
You might imagine that the gushing onsen water is 'heated seawater'. However, it is not just simply heated.
| Comparison of Saraku Onsen Water and Seawater | Saraku Onsen Water | Seawater |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 7 Neutral | 8.2 Weakly Alkaline |
| Chloride Ion mg/L | 7000 About one-third | 19000 |
| Sulfate Ion mg/L | 400 About one-five | 1900 |
Even if you soak in the onsen and some water gets in your mouth, you will only feel a faint salty taste. The ancient water collected deep underground is considered to be the source of Ibusuki Onsen, and the fossil seawater theory is considered to be the most likely explanation for the onsen water. Although it is old, it is a romantic natural blessing that has come from a time long ago, the age of which is unknown.
Tides and Sand Steaming
Normally, the sand steam experience will be in an all-weather facility built on the coast. During high tides with good weather, you can experience it at the water's edge instead of inside the facility.
Check the Tide Table Here
*During the sand steam experience, you are not allowed to bring cameras, including smartphones and mobile phones, regardless of whether you are in the all-weather facility or outside.
Detox with Sand Steam Onsen
A mysterious experience where sweat pours out from your whole body in just 10 minutes. The effect of onsen and saunas on regulating the autonomic nervous system is being re-evaluated. Among them, the sand steam onsen warms the entire body to the core with large, warm, moist grains of sand.
It is also effective for 'atopy', which is difficult to resolve due to its complex causes. The onsen water used at Saraku is said to have effects such as suppressing inflammation and improving skin metabolism.
After the sand steam experience, you can soak in plenty of onsen water in the facility and also enjoy the dry sauna.
Results of Medical Research on Sand Steaming
According to the results of a survey of 11 items, including blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiogram, blood sugar, and respiratory function, by Professor Nobuyuki Tanaka and others from the Faculty of Medicine at Kagoshima University, numerous effective results were observed, such as an increase in cardiac output and a rise in deep body temperature.
Medical Research on Sand Steam Bathing (Ambient Temperature 33.2-34.2°C)
| Blood Pressure (Systolic/Diastolic) | Heart Rate (beats/min) | Cardiac Output (L/min) | Deep Body Temperature (°C) | Skin Blood Flow (L/min) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before Bathing | 123/77 | 73 | 5.69 | 36.5 | 8.3 |
| 3 min in Bath | 136/78 | 88 | 7.65 | 36.9 | 13.3 |
| After | 140/76 | 99 | 10.19 | 37.7 | 15.2 |
| 7 min later | 149/72 | 113 | 11.10 | 38.5 | 18.0 |
| 15 min later | 123/59 | 109 | 9.82 | 37.9 | 14.6 |
| 7 min after Bath | 115/58 | 110 | 9.46 | 37.6 | 12.5 |
| After | 117/60 | 111 | 9.54 | 37.5 | 13.0 |
| 15 min later | 121/65 | 102 | 9.77 | 37.1 | 12.0 |
July 1985, Professor Nobuyuki Tanaka, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University
The source of its effects is the promotion of blood circulation, which leads to the discharge of waste products, the washing out of inflammatory and pain-causing substances, and the supply of sufficient oxygen and nutrients. It is concluded that the effect of the sand steam onsen is '3 to 4 times' that of a normal onsen.