Ibusuki Iwasaki Hotel

“Ibusuki Sand Bath (Onsen) Experience”

Kagoshima was a pleasant surprise (we didn’t know much about it); it has a lovely sub-tropical climate. We didn't stay at the Ibusuki Iwasaki Hotel, but we went for the Black Sand Bath (Onsen) experience. We liked this hotel it; had beautiful gardens, views of the beach/volcano and it’s right nex… more

Kagoshima was a pleasant surprise (we didn’t know much about it); it has a lovely sub-tropical climate. We didn't stay at the Ibusuki Iwasaki Hotel, but we went for the Black Sand Bath (Onsen) experience. We liked this hotel it; had beautiful gardens, views of the beach/volcano and it’s right next to a big Golf Course. You go to the B4 floor changing room, remove all your clothes (store them in a locker) and put on a Kimono. We weren’t sure how comfortable we would be with this, but it was no problem, there is a nice changing room with individual showers for later (so very discrete). TIP: LADIES, there is only one bathroom in the change room, but there is a large multi-stall washroom before you go out to the sand bath. Then we took the elevator to B5 floor and walked outside to the sand-bath area. We laid down on the sand in a row (with others); a towel is placed first under your head and then staff came with shovels and buried us in the warm sand. The only part of your body not covered is your head/face. You can easily sit up and shake off the sand, if you find it gets too hot (I stayed for 15 minutes and could remained longer). Most people stay buried between 10-20 minutes. If you bring a camera or phone, you can ask someone to take your picture while buried in the sand (there isn’t really a good place to store your phone/camera while buried in the sand, but Japan is a very safe country, so it isn’t likely to “disappear” if you take a chance and bring it). Then we sat up, shook off the sand and went to a hot pool to rinse off (still wearing a Kimono). Next we went back to shower off and change into a clean dry kimono. You can go upstairs to the Sky Bath and go in a communal hot pool (ladies are separated from the men), but you must be nude, so not for everyone. After we showered and changed, we went to the restaurant on the top floor of the hotel and had a great lunch with panoramic views of the hotel grounds, ocean and a Volcano off in the distance. We really enjoyed the Sand Bath experience but if you get hot/dizzy easily, this may not be for you.

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“A very large and spacious hotel”

We had to walk for several minutes between places, like from room to dining area or to onsen, etc. We had borrowed a wheelchair from the hotel for grandpa to go around elsewhere easily. The service was good.

“Loved the Hot Sand “Bake””

We had flown from CA to Tokyo, then to Kagoshima; been on planes, bus, train, taxi. We were so ready to relax. Being buried in the hot, moist volcanic sand made us relax and almost forget we hadn’t slept in a day and a half. The air in the hotel was humid and musty. Some parts of the exterior wer… more

We had flown from CA to Tokyo, then to Kagoshima; been on planes, bus, train, taxi. We were so ready to relax. Being buried in the hot, moist volcanic sand made us relax and almost forget we hadn’t slept in a day and a half. The air in the hotel was humid and musty. Some parts of the exterior were in need of paint, but the Interior was clean and kept up. Humidity, from what I hear, can be stifling some times of the year. We were there in March, so didn’t experience that. Although there was a natural spring, so we were told, after our time in the sand and dinner, we were more interested in getting some down time in our room. We spent time on our balcony which overlooked the beautiful gardens, the stream, with fish and our view of the ocean. Our room came with everything we could need, including robes and slippers. The slippers, they assured us, had been sanitized. We would have preferred the cheap ones we got in other hotels that you either take, don’t use or throw away. There appeared to be walking paths and a golf course. Not sure what else was available because we weren’t there for the resort. The breakfast allowed you to either have an assortment of typical Japanese foods or Western or any combination. There was a good variety. The dinner we had in one of the restaurants had an array of local dishes which were an interesting experience. This is a large hotel, several stories high, but it didn’t seem huge because all the staff took care to see each guest was taken care of.

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“Spooky Reminder of Japan’s Opulence of a different Era.”

I write this in the midst of the great pandemic of 2019-2022 ? I was fortunate enough to squeeze through the stringent Covid protocols to enter Japan for a brief period of time during December of the year 2021. I had always wanted to see Southern Kyushu, and so we were looking for a centrally lo… more

I write this in the midst of the great pandemic of 2019-2022 ? I was fortunate enough to squeeze through the stringent Covid protocols to enter Japan for a brief period of time during December of the year 2021. I had always wanted to see Southern Kyushu, and so we were looking for a centrally located place on the southern peninsula. The Iwasaki Hotel looked fantastic on the brochures and website but was at a much lower price point than the more opulent Ibusuki Hakusuikan. We booked a triple room on the 5th floor of this curvy retro futuristic behemoth and settled in to its aging but comfortable rooms. Looking more like a hotel befitting the coast of Kā‘anapali, there is definitely a Hawaiian vibe to the meticulous tropical landscaping and room appointments. Devoid of tourists, the emptiness of this vast hotel was a little spooky. In its heyday one could imagine hordes of happy Japanese vacationers taking in the endless venues for activities like black sand “bathing” golfing, huge natural looking pools surrounded by tropical foliage and a HUGE arcade of noisy, brilliantly lit games of every sort and color. There is a virtual shopping mall in the basement with locally produced omiage and clothing shops to suit any taste in fashion. There is even a full sized bowling alley ! The weird part was that despite every shop being fully staffed, there were absolutely no customers. Each time we would walk by, the staff looked eager even if we took a passing interest in their wares. I almost felt sorry that I couldn’t load up my suitcase with useless trinkets just to give them a sale. The vast dining room was beautiful. With a extensive wall of windows facing the sea, the views were spectacular and the staff very attentive to our every need. We had a very nice yaki niku dinner with a wide assortment of Kobe beef and seafood. The Kirin Ichiban was icy cold. Sure this place is showing it’s age. I’m not sure how long they will be able to stay in existence without a serious influx of money and tourists, but it was a very interesting time capsule of Japan’s opulent heyday of excess. It’s definitely worth a stay unless you’re fearful of long dark hallways of empty rooms, rusting spiral staircases, and spookily silent bowling alleys. PLEASE go visit this place. The grounds are gorgeous, the staff are attentive and the rooms are clean with beautiful views toward the sea. This place won’t be around for long unless YOU come to visit !

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