<strong>Japan's Ibusuki Beach: </strong>This beach on Japan's Kyushu Island is famed for a ritual called suna-mushi -- or sand bathing.
Japan's Ibusuki Beach: This beach on Japan's Kyushu Island is famed for a ritual called suna-mushi -- or sand bathing.
Kagoshima Prefectural Tourist Federation/JNTO
<strong>Soothing sands: </strong>The black sand is actually warm to the touch and soothing to the skin of anyone who engages in the ritual.
Soothing sands: The black sand is actually warm to the touch and soothing to the skin of anyone who engages in the ritual.
Junko Kimura/Getty Images
<strong>Political hot spot:</strong> Even former Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi is into it. Here he is relaxing in a Ibusuki sand bath back in 2004.
Political hot spot: Even former Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi is into it. Here he is relaxing in a Ibusuki sand bath back in 2004.
Pool/Getty Images
<strong>Volcanic sands: </strong>Ibusuki Beach sprawls across the southern end of the Satsuma Peninsula, an area renowned for its volcanic activity.
Volcanic sands: Ibusuki Beach sprawls across the southern end of the Satsuma Peninsula, an area renowned for its volcanic activity.
Kagoshima Prefectural Visitors Bureau
<strong>Mineral baths: </strong>The sands are infused with minerals that flow in through the volcanic hot springs along the coast.
Mineral baths: The sands are infused with minerals that flow in through the volcanic hot springs along the coast.
Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization
<strong>Suna-mushi:</strong> Many of the spa hotels offer a choice of shaded suna-mushi pavilions or sand bathing in the open air with an umbrella or towel to protect your face from the sun.
Suna-mushi: Many of the spa hotels offer a choice of shaded suna-mushi pavilions or sand bathing in the open air with an umbrella or towel to protect your face from the sun.
Kagoshima Prefectural Visitors Bureau
<strong>Kaimondake:</strong> Looming in the distance is Kaimondake -- dubbed the "Mt Fuji of Satsuma" because of its almost perfect conical shape.
Kaimondake: Looming in the distance is Kaimondake -- dubbed the "Mt Fuji of Satsuma" because of its almost perfect conical shape.
Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization
<strong>Childhood revisted:</strong> Shovel in hand, a resort or spa attendant will make sure a towel is fixed around your neck to prevent the gritty stuff from getting into your face, and then literally bury you up to your chin in warm, dark beach sand.
Childhood revisted: Shovel in hand, a resort or spa attendant will make sure a towel is fixed around your neck to prevent the gritty stuff from getting into your face, and then literally bury you up to your chin in warm, dark beach sand.
JNTO
<strong>Sweat out those toxins: </strong>Ten to 20 minutes beneath the sand is recommended — enough time to inhale a fair amount of geothermal steam and get the sweat glands flowing to expunge toxins from your body.
Sweat out those toxins: Ten to 20 minutes beneath the sand is recommended — enough time to inhale a fair amount of geothermal steam and get the sweat glands flowing to expunge toxins from your body.
JNTO
<strong>Kaimondake: </strong>The 924-meter volcano is open to hikers. Although it last erupted in the 9th century, it's still considered an active volcano.
Kaimondake: The 924-meter volcano is open to hikers. Although it last erupted in the 9th century, it's still considered an active volcano.
Kagoshima Prefectural Visitors Bureau
<strong>Chiringashima: </strong>At the north end of Ibusuki Beach, a sandbar connects the mainland with Chiringashima. Visitors can hike the 800 meters over to the wooded island and explore its tide pools, short trails and rugged sea cliffs.
Chiringashima: At the north end of Ibusuki Beach, a sandbar connects the mainland with Chiringashima. Visitors can hike the 800 meters over to the wooded island and explore its tide pools, short trails and rugged sea cliffs.
Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization