- Buried Alive - Black Sand

Unplanned, Unfiltered, Unforgettable: The Ibusuki Experience

We took a local train to Ibusuki Station with grand plans to visit Nishi-Oyama, the southernmost train station in Japan. Except… apparently, everyone else had the same idea. The platform looked like a theme park queue, and the Ibusuki no Tamatebako sightseeing train was fully booked. We only managed to snag reserved seats for the return trip.

At Ibusuki Station, we learned we’d have to wait nearly an hour for the next local train to Nishi-Oyama. Glenn really wanted to try the black sand bath, and I had my heart set on that epic photo at the southernmost train station.

The Saraku Sand Bath Hall near the station was probably packed with chatty tourists, so we improvised—flagged a taxi and headed straight to the famous Ibusuki Onsen black-sand bath instead.

Buried in Japan: Not a Crime, Just a Spa Day

The drive to Saraku Sand Bath Hall was beautiful—coastal views, lush vegetable farms, and rolling hills. Nature seemed to be putting on a show, doing its very best to distract us from one undeniable fact:

we were about to pay ¥1,000 to be voluntarily buried alive.

And the wildest part?

We were weirdly excited about it.

Buried, Baked, and Bare: A Sand Spa Saga

Because in Japan, even being buried under hot volcanic sand comes with excellent service and unexpected therapeutic benefits—and apparently, a lesson in humility.

We arrived at the onsen, paid the fee, threw in an extra ¥300 for a towel (because apparently, bringing your own is too advanced for us), and were handed robes with a quiet but crystal-clear message:

“No clothes underneath, please.”

Cool. Cool cool cool.

We braved the locker room, changed, and emerged looking like nervous recruits at the world’s most peaceful cult meeting.

Outside, the staff gently guided us to lie down in the black volcanic sand pit, like this was the most normal thing in the world. They covered our heads with towels and then, with great precision, began shoveling steaming hot sand over our bodies. It felt like a combo of a luxury spa, an archaeological dig, and maybe just a hint of CSI: Ibusuki.

For 15 glorious minutes, we lay there—half blissed out, half wondering if this is how a baked potato feels right before dinner.

Then came the warning:

“Sit up carefully.”

Translation: “Unless you want to recreate a sand explosion that ends up in your armpits, move sloooowly.”

We waddled to the showers like grainy zombies, rinsed off, and entered the regular onsen—where we were immediately greeted by a sea of naked Japanese women casually lounging, chatting, and walking around like royalty. These ladies were not just confident. They were unbothered goddesses.

I tried to channel the same energy.

I lasted about 12 seconds before nearly tripping over my own towel.

In the end, we emerged relaxed, sand-free, and spiritually exfoliated.

Buried, baked, and bathed—all before lunchtime.

Only in Japan.

Beautiful seaside location - real view - not everything is 5 Star in appearance but you are rewarded with a 5 Star Experience. (as a side note they were doing some heavy construction on the hill behind the Black Sand Spa)