Nigatsuden Onsen Tonosama Yu
Ibusuki, Kagoshima, Japan
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- Location
- Ibusuki, Kagoshima, Japan
- Water type
- sodium chloride, thermal
- Temperature
- 44 °C
- pH
- 7.3
Water profile
Thermicity
Sedative
LowHigh
Relaxing — deep, immediate muscle release.
Mineralisation
Restorative
LowHigh
Loaded with major ions — the essential minerals (Ca, Mg).
Buoyancy
Effortless float
LowHigh
Dense, salty water — you float without effort.
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Nigatsuden Onsen Tonosama Yu is located in Ibusuki, Kagoshima Prefecture, known for its hot sand baths. The thermal sodium-chloride water here reaches 44°C, with an indoor bath, outdoor rotenburo and sauna.
Insider tip — Ibusuki's signature experience is sunamushi onsen (砂蒸し温泉) — being buried up to your neck in naturally steam-heated black volcanic sand on Surigahama Beach while waves crash nearby. The sand is warmed to 50°C by underground geothermal springs; 10–15 minutes rivals 3 hours in a conventional bath for profuse sweating and mineral absorption. 'Tonosama Yu' (lord's bath) offers traditional indoor bathing as complement to this extraordinary outdoor ritual at Japan's southern thermal resort, surrounded by Lake Ikeda (home to Japan's largest freshwater fish, the giant eel) and the Kaimon volcano cone.
Nearby
Frequently asked questions
How hot is the water?
The water runs quite hot here, around 44 °C — a sedative water that brings immediate muscle release.
What type of water is found here?
This spot features sodium chloride & thermal water.
What is the best season to visit?
The most favourable period for this spot is: Toute l'année.