Train Journey in Minami Satsuma on the Intake Makurazaki Line|Discover Kagoshima

Train Journey in Minami Satsuma

Let's take a journey on train window towards Ibusuki, onboard Express train "Ibusuki no Tamatebako" runing along sparkling blue Kinko Bay.
In tropical atmosphere, Kagoshima travels include various attractions not only hot spring gourmets but also the specialty "sand steamed hot springs".
It is also recommended to travel freely to Chiran, Makurazaki and Minami kyushu City with a superb view drive running on the coastline of Minamo Satsuma, invited by scents of colorful flowers.

Express "Ibusuki no Tamatebako"

The Express "Intama Box" connects Kagoshima Chuo Station and Susumu Station and runs along blue shining Kinko Bay. Like a treasure box from a fairy tale, passengers would be carried to Ibusuki on a journey, filled with the surprises and excitements.
Let's go on an exciting train window served with Satsuma sweets limited to "Ibusuki Tamatebako"!

Express "Ibusuki no Tamatebako"

The two-car Express train "Ibusuki Tamatebako" is also affectionately known as "Ibutama". The train will run three round trips every day, taking approximately 55 minutes from Kagoshima Chuo Station to Ibusuki Station, with all seats reserved.
The luxurious and heavy-duty vehicle is decorated in two-tone colors: white on ocean sides and black on mountain sides. In contrast, colorful interior of the car is reminiscent of Ryugu Castle, with counter seats and bookshelves overlooking oceans. It creates a relaxing space to enjoy train journeys to Ibusuki.
Train transportations to planned destinations itself becomes a wonderful memory of your trip. Why not start a new style of travel with “Ibutama”?

No.2 car interiors

No.2 car with a wonderful scent of trees. The interior using cedar trees from Minamikyushu creates a sophisticated and stylish atmosphere inside the car.
Popular sea side seats are rotated with a counter, so that you can enjoy beautiful sceneries through car windows.
No.2 car facilities

On mountain side seats of the car, a space with a bookshelf and a sofa is available.
Books and photo books related to inserts are lined up on the bookshelf. You may have a very different experience, because you seems to forget that you are actual on a train!
"In-depth box" limited sweets

One of the best parts of traveling by train is on-board sales.
At Ibutama, you can buy Ibusuki's popular melon bread and pudding, hot spring cider and low-malt beer made with Ibusuki's natural water.
Enjoy on-board gourmet food only available in Ibusuki while watching ever-changing sceneries from train windows.

Travel Via Makurazaki Line

On board "Intori's Tamate Box" at "Kagoshima Chuo Station"

A journey on the Express "Ibusuki Tamatebako" starts at Kagoshima Chuo Station. Don't hold back your excitement and let's take a train journey to Ibusuki with the train whistle as a signal.
As "Ibusuki Tamatebako" runs along the coastline, you can see the deep blue Kinko Bay shining blue from windows. In a clear day, you also can see Sakurajima with volcanic smoke billowing down, creating a truly Kagoshima-like scenery.
All seats are reserved, but the popular seats are on the left side where you can see the coastline. We recommend making reservations early because seats may fill up quickly.

Pass “Kiiri Station” and run along the coastline

After passing Kiiri Station, a stop along the way, the train gradually begins to approach Kinko Bay and runs parallel to National Route 226. From this point on, "Ibusuki's Tamatebako" speeds up at once. When the window is opened, a refreshing sea breeze blows into the car, giving you a tropical scent.
"Ibusuki Tamatebako" runs south toward Ibusuki, running through peaceful countryside. Waving to local people who had gathered along railway line to catch a glimpse of it. Even these small moments are a part of joys of traveling by train.

Arrival station "Susumu Station" at the Express "Ibusuki no Tamatebako"

After a journey of about 55 minutes, we arrived at Ibusuki Station. As soon as you step out of Ibusuki Station, you will be greeted by tropical sceneries you have always imagined. A refreshing south wind blows through your mind, making a feeling of liberation all at once.
From here, you can enjoy Ibusuki town's specialty "sand steam bath", a scenic driving along the coastline in a rental car, or going a little further towards Makurazaki Station on the Ibusuki Makurazaki Line.
Please enjoy your stay plan in the Minami Satsuma area.

JR's southernmost station "Nishioyama Station"

Nishi-Oyama Station is known as the southernmost station in Japan. From platforms of the station, you can see wonderful sceneries of a peaceful rural area against the backdrop of mountain. This idyllic landscape similarly a postcard is popular, not only for railway fans but also for many tourists.
At Nishi -Oyama Station, rape blossoms are in full bloom every year from December to February. You can feel the coming of spring, which is unique to the warm subju city. Why don't you spell out memories of the trip and deliver it to your loved ones from "yellow post that carries happiness"?

"Makurazaki" end point of the Intru Makurazaki Line

Makurazaki is popular with bonito fishing industry. From the moment getting off the station, aroma of bonito flakes wafts from everywhere in Makurazaki City.
At Makurazaki Fish Center, where fresh seafood is gathered, you can enjoy an authentic Makurazaki bonito lunch at a restaurant with a view overlooking East China Sea, as well as an exciting "straw-grilled bonito experience".
Please take Ibusuki Makurazaki Line to the last station, Makurazaki, then try special bonito dishes.

Experience "Sand Bath Onsen"

Specialty of Ibusuki Onsen is sand steamed hot spring.
This is a unique method in a volcanic area of Kagoshima Prefecture, where you are buried in warm sand with volcanic heat to warm from your core body. This promotes sweating throughout body and has a detox effect.
Enjoy a Sand Bath Onsen while overlookinsaing Mt. Kaimondake and have luxurious experience in Kagoshima.

Popular hot spring in Ibusuki

Sanded hall "sandy"

Ibusuki's largest Sand Bath facility that you can easily stop by and use.
In nice weather, you can enjoy Sand Baths on the beach, if not it would be avalable in the covered sand steaming area.
The hotel has a sauna, shower and relaxation room, so that you can relax and unwind. Private rooms are also available for disabled guests.
Open-air Bath “Tamatebako”

This open-air bath with a spectacular view has been ranked No.1 of Tripadvisor for four years continuously.
Located on a hill facing the sea, you can enjoy panoramic views of nature and hot springs. When you soak in the bathtub, you may feel as if you are floating on ocean.
This is a hot spring facilited with aims to familis enjoy full day of stay, with a wide variety of large baths such as open-air baths, saunas, rock baths, along with restaurants, multipurpose plazas and children's plazas.

Beauty effects of Sand Bath

Detox with thermal effects

A sand steam bath that warms your body from the core has a greater sweating effect than a regular bath. Let's sweat a lot to flush away waste products and cleanse our bodies from the inside out.
Excellent relaxation effects

The weight of sand is comfortable, while the sound of ocean waves will naturally relax your entire mind and body.
You may relax tense muscles and relieve stiff shoulders, also.
Blood circulation Promotion

Pressure of sand and heat of hot springs stimulate blood circulation.
By improving blood circulation, oxygen and nutrients are distributed throughout body, then you can expect effective recovery from fatigue.
Rough skin improvements

Promotes skin turnover by promoting blood circulation and sweating.
Hot spring ingredients soaked into the sand will make your skin smooth! You can also expect a diet effect by improving your physical condition.

How to bathe in a Sand Bath

STEP1

Reception/change of clothes

At reception lobby, listen to bathing instructions and rent a yukata.
Please take off your clothes in changing rooms, put them in lockers, take off your underwear and put on your yukata.
Heading to the sand steaming area with towels and flip-flops.
STEP2

Preparation for bathing

Leave your yukata on and head to the sand steaming area along the coast.
Once you arrive at sand steaming area, you will lie your back on and be covered with sand at a temperature of approximately 50-55 degrees.
If the sand is too heavy or too hot, please let staffs to be acknowledged.
STEP3

Sand Bath

After about 10 minutes, your whole body will be sweaty. Adjust the weight and heat of the sand according to your preference by moving your hands and feet to break up the sand.
Once you have worked up a good sweat, break up the sand and slowly get up. You'll be sweating all over your body, and you'll feel refreshed when you get out of the sand.
STEP4

After bathing

After the Sand Bath, take off your yukata and take a shower to wash off the sand.
After cleaning off the sand, let's wash the sweat away in natural hot spring. When you feel refreshed, your mind and body may feel like they've been reborn.

Enjoy Ibusuki Onsen gourmet food

Ontamaran-don

"Ontamaran-don" is a delicious and irresistible local rice bowl topped with hot spring eggs made from the source of Ibusuki's famous Sand Bath hot springs.
There are many original rice bowls that are unique to Ibusuki, such as menus using okra, a specialty of Ibusuki, seafood menus, eating them while walking is a fun way to enjoy them.
Aoba, which is a 3-minute walk from JR Ibusuki Station, is particularly popular. The combination of Kurobuta pork belly with its characteristic sweetness of fat and umami of lean meat, rich homemade sauce and hot spring egg is an exquisite dish.
After sweating in sand steam bath, be sure to enjoy warm tamara bowl, which is a condensation of deliciousness of Ibusuki.

Ibusuki Onsen Cider

A popular trend among hot spring enthusiasts is enjoying local hot spring cider, which is perfect after bathing. The sparkling carbonated hot spring water is perfect for cider water. Another reason for its popularity is its unique label design with full of regional flavor.
Ibusuki Onsen Cider is a cider made with natural spring water from Tosenkyo Gorge, which has been selected as one of Japan's 100 Best Waters. A local cider boasts an adult taste creating a feeling of nostalgic with a refreshing taste.
The label depicts honeymooners holding hands and making love with the sunset of Mt. Kaimondake in the background. It has a stylish design typical of Ibusuki, which is known as the "Hawaii of the East".

Enjoy driving in Minami Satsum

Starting from Ibusuki, enjoy a scenic drive along tropical coastline lined with seasonal flowers.
New travel encounters await, including breathtaking views, unique experiences unique to Kagoshima Prefecture and delicious local gourmet food.
We will introduce six experience plans, so that you can enjoy in Ibusuki, Chiran and Minami Satsuma.

Stay at Ibusuki Resort

A great trip to Ibusuki. How about spending a luxurious time relaxing your mind and body at a Japanese-style inn filled with hospitality?
The inn also has Ibusuki's famous "sand steam bath". One of its charms is that you can enjoy it whenever you want.
Rooms here are equipped with comfortable facilities and offer spectacular views of ever-changing East China Sea.

Ibusuki Hakusuikan

Ibusuki City

A luxury inn in a perfect location surrounded by blue sea and green pines. It welcomes tourists to Ibusuki with an elegant appearance that combines tradition and formality.
In addition to Ibusuki's famous "Sand Bath hot springs," we offer precise services and full facilities which are only in a Japanese inn, such as Genroku bath recreating a bath from the Edo period, Japanese cuisine using seasonal ingredients and an even open-air bath. Once here, you may have a relaxing holiday.

Hot spring facility

Genroku bath

Genroku period was within Edo period when Japan's culture flourished the most. Among these, public baths became a lively social gathering place for common people that period of time, and also became birthplace of merchant culture.
At Genroku bath, you can enjoy a variety of unique baths, including an ukiyo-e bath with ukiyo-e paintings on the wall and an Edo pomegranate bath.
Open-air bath

Open-air bath has a spacious feel and is located in a higher location with a great view.
There is a pavilion-style rest area in the center of open-air bath, where you can spend a relaxing time. There are also a variety of baths, including a Utase bath and a pot bath.
Natural Sand Bath hot spring

You can also enjoy Ibusuki's famous natural Sand Bath hot springs at Hakusuikan. If you bury body in sand while listening to the sound of sea on the shore, you will doze off with comforts.
After that, you can refresh yourself by sweating in public bath, your mind and body will feel reborn and happy.

Guest Room

Villa

The villa, where you can enjoy all ocean view rooms, is a high-quality space of unforgettable everyday life.
From spacious windows, you can relax and enjoy spectacular view of Kinko Bay that changes every moment from blue to indigo to madder.
Isokyakuden

A room where you can enjoy a relaxing cypress bath in your room. You can enjoy hot spring time in Ibusuki to your heart's content.
The spacious and comfortable rooms offer a luxurious relaxation, allowing you to forget about your daily routine.
Satsuma guest hall

Standard type room.
You can stay at Hakusuikan at a reasonable price and enjoy facilities within the hotel.

Dining

Restaurant Ajisai

A Japanese restaurant overlooking a Japanese garden. It's a sunken kotatsu-style table, so that you can relax and enjoy seasonal cuisine.
Enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine prepared with great care by our chefs.
Shochu dojo

A shochu dojo where you can enjoy free tastings of shochu drunk at restaurants and sold at shops (from 16:00 to 19:00).
You can enjoy shochu from Kagoshima, including fantastic shochu "Mori Izo". Please use it as waiting area for the Genroku bath.
It's open until 11pm, so it's the perfect spot to get drunk at night in Ibusuki。
Fenice

This Italian restaurant is part of "Satsuma Denshokan" located on grounds of Hakusuikan.
Enjoy the chef's signature Italian cuisine which is availale at Fenice only with seasonal ingredients from Ibusuki.

Ibusuki Seaside Hotel

Ibusuki City

15 minutes walking from Ibusuki Station. This is a tropical resort in a perfect location overlooking the wide, blue and calm Kinko Bay.
One of popular points of Ibusuki Seaside Hotel is that the hotel has a Sand Bath facility, so that you can leave your heavy luggage and valuables in your room and enjoy a sand steaming bath easily.

Hotel facility information

Meals

We serve delicious dishes made with fresh local ingredients, such as fresh seafood from Kinko Bay, authentic Kagoshima black pork and kibinago, each with the utmost care.
Of course, we also have famous sake from all over Kyushu, including Kagoshima.
View hot spring bath

Enjoy a blissful hot spring time while soaking in Ibusuki's hot springs warming up body while admiring magnificent sceneries of Kinko Bay and Okuma Peninsula.
In early morning, you can see sunrise over Kinko Bay. Enjoying hot springs in refreshing morning scenery is even more special. Ibusuki's hot springs are a place where you can enjoy both your eyes and your heart, where you will forget the time and be absorbed in scenery.
Guest room with open-air bath

A relaxing room with an open-air bath from top floor overlooking Kinko Bay.
You can enjoy a truly luxurious stay with a private open-air bath and balcony overlooking spectacular views of Kinko Bay.
It is a luxurious space that is recommended for important anniversaries and special trips, realizing a higher-grade resort life.