Splish, Splash

Question: In which country can you purportedly soothe high blood pressure, respiratory issues, and more by being buried in sand? 

Answer: Japan

Bathtime takes on a whole new meaning in the town of Ibusuki on the southernmost Japanese island of Kyushu. While there are numerous unusual spa treatments in Japan whose health benefits raise eyebrows—tubs filled with sake or ramen noodles come to mind—being buried in hot sand isn’t one of them. Wellness seekers dating back to the time of the Ancient Greeks would sometimes bathe in hot sand to heal arthritis and respiratory issues. But that sand was heated by the sun. What makes Ibusuki special is that they are the only natural sand baths in the world. The geothermal makeup of the region warms the sand to well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit—the perfect temperature for a sweat-inducing session to heal what ails you.

If you can’t float a toy boat, you can always build a sandcastle

So, how does a sand bath work anyway? After you don a yukata, a lightweight type of kimono, an attendant “draws” your bath. This is done by shoveling out a body-length hole, where you are then buried up to your neck into hot sand. The sensation is often compared to a weighted blanket, as steam from the toasty volcanic sand envelops your body. Research suggests that the steam generated in a sand bathing session of just 10 to 20 minutes helps lower blood pressure and reduces respiratory issues—much more so than traditional thermal baths and sauna sessions. Bathing in hot sand is also thought to increase blood flow, help remove toxins, and alleviate joint and back pain.

Sand bathing on the Jersey Shore?

While you have to visit Ibusuki to experience true hot sand bathing, you can get pretty close right here in the United States. SoJo Spa Club, a wellness center in northern New Jersey, imports volcanic sand directly from Ibusuki. It then uses state-of-the-art engineering to heat and activate the mineral properties found in the special sand. Guests are even provided with yukatas to protect the skin from the heat of the sand without blocking the benefits to mirror the Japanese practice as closely as possible.

But if bathing in hot volcanic sand isn’t your thing, there’s bound to be an onsen, health spa, or unique beauty treatment to your liking somewhere in Japan ...

Some other unusual spa experiences in Japan

There's nothing more relaxing than sinking into a deep, hot bath—but why limit yourself to boring water? At Tokyo’s Yunessun Spa Resort, you can bathe in a tub filled with wine. These anti-aging wine baths are said to help with inflammation and circulation. They also have a Ramen Noodle Bath, where you get to bathe in a giant steaming bowl of your favorite noodle soup (we’re not sure if chopsticks are included). Supposedly, the collagen in the broth helps cleanse the skin and boosts circulation. Other spas in Japan offer treatments in tubs filled with your choice of sake, green tea, or coffee (late-night bathers may want to consider decaf).

For those wishing to look a bit younger, there are a couple of interesting facial treatments available in Japan. How to put this first one delicately ... it features nightingale poop. After the droppings of nightingale birds are collected, dried, and sanitized, they’re combined with rice bran, tea seed oil, and adzuki red beans. The mixture is then gently massaged into your face to smooth and brighten your skin. You never know, maybe this is why the Japanese have such beautiful skin ...

Wait, where did you say those escargot?

Another spa in Tokyo offers snail facials. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like—live snails are placed on your face, where they are free to roam around at will. Recommended for people with oily or combination skin types, the slime they leave behind is said to make the skin smoother and more even toned. If it makes you feel any better, the snails are professionally grown in labs for use in skincare treatments—not the ones often seen on sidewalks after a sudden rainstorm. As odd as it sounds, skin creams containing snail filtrate are actually common in Japan and several other Asian countries. Nope, it still sounds odd ...

Japan does seem to have more than their fair share of non-traditional spa experiences, but they are certainly not alone ...

A few more odd and unusual spa experiences around the world

·         Who’s up for a hayride?—Hay baths have been a popular wellness treatment in northern Italy’s Dolomites for centuries. Similar to Japan’s sand baths, you are covered up to your neck in warm, moistened hay harvested from the region’s Alpine meadows. In addition to boosting circulation and stimulating sweating, the native wildflowers and herbs have skin-smoothing properties, leaving you with a healthy glow.

·         Snakes on a plane, and on your back—A ssssss-pa in Cairo offers snake massages. Said to help reduce muscle and joint pain while improving blood circulation and releasing endorphins, the massage involves pythons and some two dozen non-venomous snakes slithering over your back and face while you drift off and listen to soothing music. Yeah, right ...

·         Baby, it’s cold inside—Many spa experiences involve heating and cooling the body, then repeating until the body is invigorated. A spa in Porvoo, Finland takes that cooling element to an entirely new level with cryotherapy, which involves sitting in a super-cold chamber (-166 degrees Fahrenheit!). Just don’t spend more than a few minutes in there, or you risk hypothermia ... and death.

·         Not everyone’s cup of tea—Cupping is a massage technique involving suction that can sometimes leave the recipient with bruises if not done correctly. So why not increase the risk factor by adding flames to the process? You can go for a session of “Fire Cupping” at a spa in Beijing, China, if you don’t mind the risk of burns to go along with your bruises.

·         What in the blazes?—Another popular spa treatment in China is known as the “Fire Massage.” It involves placing a cloth soaked in alcohol and an “elixir” over a problem area—the face, back, belly, or legs. Then the cloth is set alight and allowed to burn for under a minute before a damp towel is used to smother the flame. Still, we’d recommend keeping the fire department on speed dial for this one ....

·         A cactus massage gets to the point—At Nha Trang’s Clover Spa in Vietnam, fans tout the cactus massage as a relaxing cure-all for all manner of skin complaints. The sharp spines are removed, and the fleshy stems are gently boiled, then the cactus is rubbed gooey-side down over your body. Similar to aloe vera, the cacti do work wonders for sunburned, dry, or damaged skin.

Sand bathing not your thing? Enjoy a more traditional soak at an onsen in Hakone during Japan’s Cultural Treasures.