The tradition of sand baths goes back to the Heian period (794-1185). The sand is carefully heated with hot spring water nine times a day, each cycle taking about 30 to 40 minutes.

Customers are relaxing while taking a sand bath in Beppu, Oita Prefecture, Japan. © 2008 Norbert Woehnl Photography.

Shot with Nikon D200 and Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. Edited in Lightroom 5.7.

写真の撮影場所：大分県・別府市・砂湯