Kirishima Kokusai Hotel: An experiential Hot springs resort
An unprecedented challenge: a sand bath experience in the mountains.

The narrator of this story

Kirishima Kokusai Hotel
General Manager

Hiroshi Hayashida

Hiroshi Hayashida

He took up his post at Kirishima Kokusai Hotel in August 2021. Immediately after the change in management structure, he took the lead on the front lines and worked diligently to rebuild the hotel through renovations and seismic reinforcement work. In February 2024, he became General Manager. Looking ahead to a future of coexistence with the community, he is also actively engaged in activities in cooperation with neighboring facilities and local governments.

Kirishima Kokusai Hotel
Facility Deputy Manager

Ryoichi Futami

Ryoichi Futami

He is the facility manager who has been protecting the hotel's infrastructure for 40 years. He has a thorough understanding of the structure of all the facilities within the building. Based on his long-cultivated technical knowledge of Hot springs management, he devised an eco-friendly sand bath heat source system that utilizes Hot springs steam. He is the key figure who provided the technical support for the birth of "Kirisuna" (Mist Sand).

Kirishima Kokusai Hotel
Sunakakeshi

Masahiro Utsu

Shodai Uto

This is my fifth year at the hotel. I joined the company in 2022 when the buffet Restaurant was newly established and served as the leader of the food and beverage department. With the opening of "Kirisuna," I transitioned to the role of "Suna-kakeshi" (sand-covering specialist). Utilizing my experience as a former leader, I now play a central role in supporting the operations of the Suna-kakeshi team.

A fresh start from the brink of closure, and the next step.

On June 1st, Kirisuna, the first sand bath Hot springs in Kirishima Hot springs, opened in a corner of Kirishima Kokusai Hotel, which is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year. Many customers visit every day to enjoy the unique experience of being steamed in sand in this mountainous area.

However, just five years ago, I couldn't have imagined that this kind of liveliness would return.

In 2021, the hotel decided to close due to declining performance, and there were even plans to demolish the building. However, its appeal—its location in the heart of the Kirishima Onsenkyo Hot springs, its abundant hot springs, and its long-established reputation—had not faded. In order to carry on that value, ICONIA HOSPITALITY (then Mystays Hotel Management) took over its operation.

Initially, the hotel had very few guests, but it has steadily made its way to recovery. This included transforming the dining hall into a buffet Restaurant, renovating Guest rooms, and undertaking extensive seismic reinforcement work. These persistent efforts have borne fruit, and the number of guests has increased dramatically, nearly quadrupling.

Having thus solidified its business foundation, the hotel further leveraged its advantageous location and introduced sand Hot springs to enhance Hot springs experience.

The veteran engineer with 40 years of experience had a clear vision of the "path to realization."

In Kagoshima, the sand baths in Ibusuki, which use sea sand heated by geothermal energy, are famous. However, we dared to try this in a mountainous area because we thought we could utilize the abundant Hot springs steam that gushes from within the property. We were confident that we could offer a new bathing experience unique to Kirishima. This challenge began with that conviction.

However, just because a policy has been decided doesn't mean it can actually be put into practice. Faced with this unprecedented endeavor, those on the ground had no idea where to even begin.

Amidst all this, there was one person who was able to calmly envision a path to realization: Ryoichi Futami, the facility manager who had been in charge of equipment management for 40 years.

Futami recalls that time as follows:

"At first, I had a moment of realization, like, 'I've never thought of it that way before.' I also thought it was technically possible."

The first thing that came to mind was the structure of the bedrock bath operating in the building. It's a system where hot Hot springs water is passed under the floor, and that heat warms the minerals. "If we replace the object being heated with sand, and combine that with the know-how we've cultivated over many years of 'steam baths' (a traditional bathing method where the body is steamed by filling a room with high-temperature steam), then sand baths can also work in principle," Futami realized immediately.

Seeking to embody the unique character of Kirishima, we adopted "silica sand" derived from shirasu (volcanic ash).

However, even these veteran engineers lacked knowledge about the type of "sand" that should be used.

"If we're going to do it, we want to express the unique character of Kirishima," they said, and while searching for the ideal material, they arrived at silica sand (mountain sand) derived from shirasu (volcanic ash). This sand, which has deep ties to the volcanic belt of Kagoshima, possesses excellent thermal conductivity, and its functional aspects solidified their decision to adopt it.

However, the real challenge began here. There was no precedent for using silica sand in sand baths, and there was absolutely no specific numerical data regarding temperature control.

The on-site staff then created a test device by dividing a plastic container with insulation and filling it with sand of different compositions, and diligently recorded the temperature changes. After more than three months of thorough comparative testing, they concluded that high-purity silica sand, almost 100%, was the optimal choice.

Enjoy the perfect bath temperature with zero fuel. An eco-friendly heat exchange system utilizing Hot springs steam.

The hotel's proprietary technology was used to create a system that safely heats the sand and achieves the perfect bath temperature.

This hotel has been supplying hot water and heating/cooling to its premises for 55 years since its founding, without using any boilers, by utilizing the 120-130 degree Celsius Hot springs steam that springs from within the property. This same system has been applied to the sand bath, creating a system that circulates hot water made from high-temperature steam through pipes at the bottom of the sand. This eco-friendly heat exchange system indirectly heats the entire sand to the optimal bathing temperature of 47-48 degrees Celsius without using any fire.

Furthermore, in terms of sand condition, we have introduced a system that washes the sand layer by bringing hot water up from below approximately every two hours. This ensures that the sand condition is always kept optimal by combining heat sterilization with proper temperature control.

None of them are experienced. The struggles of rookie "sand-throwing masters"

Simply setting up the equipment wasn't enough preparation. We also needed to train craftsmen called "sunakakeshi" (sand-throwing craftsmen) from scratch.

One of them is Masahiro Utsu. He was originally the leader of the food and beverage department, but he took on the role of sand-covering master when "Kirisuna" opened. Utsu says with a wry smile:

"None of us, including myself, had any experience. From what we saw, it looked easy. But when we actually tried it, it was surprisingly difficult."

First, it's difficult to get the hang of how much sand to sprinkle. The silica sand used in "Kirisuna" has grains about the size of fine gravel and is quite heavy. If you drop it from a high position, it will cause a great impact on the customer's body, so it must be sprinkled very gently.

The new sand-throwers worked in pairs, throwing sand at each other with shovels, and went through a process of trial and error to establish a safe and efficient procedure.

"Kirizuna" is a rare indoor sand bath facility. While it offers a comfortable space unaffected by the weather, the room is filled with heat and humidity. That's why the sand bath masters must pay close attention to even the slightest changes in the customers' physical condition.

They perform the physically demanding work of handling heavy sand while simultaneously embodying delicate hospitality. It is thanks to their support that the unique sand bath experience of Kirishima is possible.

A blissful bathing experience combining sand baths and renowned hot springs.

When you actually experience a sand bath, the time you spend there is filled with fresh surprises that overturn conventional images.

As the person lies down in their yukata, heated sand is piled on top of them by the sand-covering craftsman. The unusual situation of being buried in sand brings a sense of exhilaration and enjoyment.

At first, you're aware of the weight of the sand, but soon you begin to feel a strange sense of comfort. If you close your eyes and just let the heat wash over you without thinking about anything, you'll feel your whole body warming up. After a 10-15 minute soak, the small sand marks left on your skin when you stand up are proof that the pressure was just right.

And there's more to this ultimate relaxation time.

Making the sand bath experience at "Kirisuna" even more special is the adjacent open-air bath, "Byakushi no Yu."

The Shiramurasaki-no-Yu bath, whose water color changes from milky white to milky blue depending on the angle of the sunlight, was once even more popular than the open-air bath in the main building, but it closed in 2023 due to the aging of the building. However, the bath, which had been carefully preserved, has made a fateful comeback with the birth of "Kirisuna."

After warming yourself to the core in the "sand bath," you can quickly wash off the sand in the shower and head straight to the adjacent Shirashinoyu bath. This smooth flow of movement is one of the facility's greatest attractions.

Imagine your flushed skin being soaked in the refreshing breeze blowing from the Kirishima mountains, while gazing at the ever-changing colors of the bathwater—a truly luxurious Hot springs experience has arrived.

Starting with an "experiential Hot springs resort," we will pave the way for the future of the entire Hot springs.

The true essence of Kirishima Kokusai Hotel lies in the breadth of its "Hot springs entertainment," which extends far beyond the newly established "Kirisuna" bath.

The main building's large public bath boasts over 10 different types of baths, as well as the hotel's famous mud packs and steam baths. The buffet Restaurant, "Kirishima Yukemuri Terrace," offers approximately 90 dishes, including Kurobuta pork steamed in Hot springs water. In addition, the hotel offers a variety of other amenities, such as complimentary shochu and coffee in the lounge, and performances of the traditional art of "Kyumen Taiko" drumming.

General Manager Hiroshi Hayashida explains the reason for their focus on the in-house experience:

"We want this to be a place that can be enjoyed by three generations, from grandparents to grandchildren. It's not just about soaking in the hot springs; we want people to enjoy the diverse ways they spend their time here. That's why we're thinking of making this a 'hands-on Hot springs resort.' We're confident that with the completion of 'Kirisuna,' that content has been elevated to the next level."

Hayashida's gaze is also directed towards the future of the entire Kirishima Hot springs.

"Kirishima has many other wonderful Hot springs with different water qualities. We want to work together with the surrounding hotels, restaurants, and local government to create a future for Kirishima where people can enjoy exploring the entire town."

The mystical Kirishima Onsenkyo Hot springs place where pure white steam rises from the mountainside. The one and only sand Hot springs "Kirisuna" awaits your visit. Please come and experience the charm of this evolved "experiential Hot springs resort" for yourself.

Kirishima Kokusai Hotel

899-6603
3930-12 Takachiho, Makizono-cho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture
TEL: +81-995-78-2621 (Main)

Approximately 30 minutes by car from Kagoshima Airport!
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Seeing the sand bath Hot springs mist

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