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Takegawara Onsen's Indoor Sand Bath In Beppu - Perfect For Winter!
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Near to Beppu Station is Takegawara Onsen, equipped with an indoor sand bath sauna; perfect for the winter season. That, along with the wonderful, historically aged feeling of the building, is an experience you can't get anywhere else.
Located Indoors, Takegawara Onsen’s Sand Bath Keeps You Warm Even in Winter!
Photo by: Maro Miyakawa
One thing you should definitely experience while at Takegawara Onsen is the Sand Bath.
Photo by: Maro Miyakawa
There are a number of other, similar facilities to visit in Beppu other than Takegawara Onsen, including Kannawa’s Hyotan Onsen and the Beppu-Kaihama Sand Baths near the harbor. The reason why Takegawa Onsen’s Sand Bath is recommended for the winter is because it’s the only one indoors which prevents the sand (and you) from freezing.
Let’s Start Our Experience in the Sand Bath!
Photo by: Maro Miyakawa
Included in the price of the sand bath (1030 yen) is a rental yukata to wear in the bath, so make sure you pick yours up at the reception desk when you pay before you head on your way to the entrance of the sand bath, which are opposite that of the regular baths.
The entrance for men is marked with the blue cloth; the women’s marked with red.
Photo by: Maro Miyakawa
Inside you’ll find the dressing room and then a small bath and shower area. These are for washing the sand off after you have finished with the sand bath.
The time limit for using the sand bath is between 10 and 15 minutes so hurry and change into your yukata as soon as you can.
Photo by: Maro Mitakawa
There’s a coin locker in the dressing room but not one that gives change. The cost is 100 yen.
Although the men’s and women’s dressing rooms and showering areas are separate, the room with the sand bath is connected and used by both men and women.
Photo by: Maro Miyakawa
The yukata is worn like in the picture above. You are not supposed to wear undergarments. What you should be careful about when putting on your yukata is to make sure the left side is on top. The reason for this is that the deceased are traditionally dressed with the right side on the top and it’ll be taken as a bad omen if you do the same.
There’s the chance you’ll get sand in your hair so for those of you with long hair, either tie it up or use one of the shower caps provided.
Photo by: Maro Miyakawa
Follow the staff’s instructions by lying down on the sand. They will then start to cover your body with hot sand using a joren, a tool which resembles a scoop.
Is That So?! How the Unique Takegawara Onsen’s Sand Bath Is Made
Photo by: Maro Miyakawa
By the way, did you happen to notice the scaffolding in the center of the room? One side of the room is full of sand and other side, liquid.
That liquid is actually a hot spring. On the bottom of the spring is the sand they use in the sand bath. The sand is soaked in the spring and heated. Every 90 minutes, the sand is taken out and used for the bath on the other side.
Photo by: Maro Miyakawa
The moisture-filled sand is heavier than you think and with each “thud” you’ll start to feel that heaviness all over your body.
However, this feeling of your body being pushed down into the floor is somehow strangely relaxing and will give you a sense of tranquility you’ve never experienced before. With a feeling this good, it’s no wonder many people fall sound asleep during their ten minute time limit.
Photo by: Maro Miyakawa
The key to everything is the moisture in the sand, which allows steam to circulate between the sand and your body and warms you up starting with your core. The ten minutes fly by in the blink of an eye. Your face remains uncovered allowing you to breathe naturally so it’s an activity even for those who aren’t too fond of saunas.
Photo by: Maro Miyakawa
The staff will let you know when it’s time so please follow their instructions by removing the sand from atop your body by yourself.
Photo by: Maro Miyakawa
After exiting the sand bath, return to the dressing room, remove your yukata and shower to get rid of the remaining sand. When you’re finished, you may enter the bath and finally get dressed.
If you place your sand-covered yukata in the basket in front of the shower, a staff member will come around later on to collect it.
Enjoy a Sand Bath in a Historical Setting
So how about visiting the Takegawara Onsen, with its historical, aesthetic building and enjoying your time in the sand bath?
Take note that the sand bath is open from 8:00 in the morning to 22:30 at night (last entry at 21:30).
Only eight people can use the sand bath at the same time. That being said, you might have to wait while they prepare the bathtub if it is busy.
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