Natural Wonder Alert: People Buried Alive on Kyushu Beach, Heads Left on the Sand

▲ The Process of Getting Buried in the Izumi Sand Bath

Reported and photographed by Reporter You t
ru / Kyushu

Japan’s Only “Burial Alive” Experience Is Here! On the coast of Satsuma Sendai City in Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan, there's a famous sight: rows of people lying buried in the sand, only their heads showing above ground. At first glance, the scene is quite astonishing. In fact, this is the site of Japan’s only “sand bath” experience. It’s said that lying back on the beach while wearing a yukata and enjoying the natural steamy sand bath offers health benefits, attracting many travelers to visit specifically for the experience.


▲ The seaside sand bath is a unique sight here. (Note: The photos were taken with special permission. Normally, guests experience the sand bath inside shaded huts, not right next to the waves.)

The “sand bath” in the Izumi area at the southernmost tip of Kyushu’s Kagoshima Prefecture has a history of about 400 years. Unlike traditional hot spring baths, the sand bath raises body temperature, expands blood vessels, and accelerates metabolism—up to four times faster than a hot spring bath. Because you remain lying down throughout the entire process, it’s also said to have magical effects such as aiding weight loss and beautifying the skin.

To try the sand bath, head to the beachside “Sunamushi” (sand bath) facility managed by professionals, and wear a yukata to participate. Before entering the sand bath, you’ll change into a yukata to avoid getting burned by the high-temperature sand. Then, you’ll go out onto the sandy beach and lie down in one of the pre-dug “pits,” waiting for the burial to begin. Once you’re lying flat in the pit, the sand bath staff will pour semi-dry sand heated to around 55–60 degrees Celsius over you, using water from the hot spring stream.


▲ %The staff members carefully pour semi-dry sand heated to about 55–60°C over you.




Sunamushi Manager Fukunaga Naruaki explains that there is a technique to the sand burial: they start with the limbs, then cover the upper body, and finally the lower body. This avoids the risk of sudden heavy sand covering causing difficulty breathing.The total weight of the sand covering your body can reach up to 30 kilograms, giving you a strong sensation of being “buried alive.” The session is limited to 10–15 minutes. After just 5 minutes, you’ll start to feel your heartbeat accelerate, and sweat mixed with residual moisture in the sand will soak your yukata. Most people can handle about 10 minutes, but those who last the full 15 minutes should be careful when standing up, as the heat may cause mild anemia-like symptoms.

Said to have even more healing benefits than hot springs, the “sand bath” was once ranked the second-best hot spring destination in the world, attracting nearly 270,000 visitors a year. Besides trying the burial experience, guests also enjoy a top-tier wellness and beauty regimen. Lying on the beach, listening to the waves crashing against the shore, is also a natural pleasure.


▲ Lying on the beach, listening to the waves crashing against the shore, is also a natural pleasure.

Izumi Sand Bath “Sunamushi”
Address: 25-18, Yonnohama 5-chome, Izumi-shi, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan
Phone: 0993-23-3900
Operating Hours: 8:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Price: ¥1080 for adults, ¥580 for children

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