Ibusuki City is located at the southernmost tip of the Satsuma Peninsula in Kagoshima Prefecture. There are more than 1,000 hot springs in Ibusuki City, making it famous as a hot spring paradise.

The ontamaran donburi was born in Ibusuki, a hot spring resort. The ontamaran donburi, which can only be enjoyed in Ibusuki, is a newly created local gourmet dish.

Let's explore the characteristics and history of this warm Tamaran Donburi.

Characteristics of Hot Tamaran Donburi

The Ontamaran Donburi combines the words "delicious and irresistible" with a hot spring egg. The Ontamaran Donburi is made using specially selected hot spring eggs boiled in the source waters of the 300-year-old sand bath hot spring.

The eggs used are basically "sweet potato eggs" produced at a local chicken farm. They come from chickens raised on a diet made from crushed powder of the local specialty bonito heads mixed with sweet potatoes. Bonito heads are rich in DHA, making them highly nutritious.

The main ingredient of the Ontamarandon is a soft-boiled egg, and each store develops its own unique product. Various ingredients are used, such as bonito, eel, and black pork. Ibusuki is also a treasure trove of food. Okra is a summer specialty, and broad beans are a winter specialty.

There are many variations of Ontamarandon, and no two bowls are exactly alike. By topping it with a poached egg, the texture changes and the flavor becomes mellow. The onsen egg mixes perfectly with the carefully selected local ingredients, making it irresistible.

The history of Ontamarandon

In 2009, the Ibusuki Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the shopping district, the tourist association, and others joined forces to revitalize the central shopping district and create an attractive town.

As part of the town revitalization effort, we worked on product development of "a specialty dish that is unique to Ibusuki, that can only be found in Ibusuki," and created the Ontamaran Donburi, which is unique to hot spring areas. The number of restaurants offering Ontamaran Donburi is gradually increasing, and it continues to evolve.

There is also a stamp rally for Ontamarandon. Stamp cards are available at each store that serves Ontamarandon. The rally will end when the prizes run out.

The prizes you get depend on the number of stamps you collect. Five stamps gives you a special keychain, 10 stamps gives you a warm egg eco bag, and 17 stamps gives you a special rice bowl. The implementation period and exchange period are different, so be sure to check carefully.

In addition to the On Tamaran Donburi, Ibusuki has also created the "Tamaran" series. Products such as "On Tamaran Ton," a black pork dish made with hot spring eggs and seasonal vegetables, and "Tamaran Shochu," an exquisite blend of two types of shochu with an alcohol content of 35%, have been developed and commercialized as local specialties.

Sand bath hot springs where hot spring eggs are made

Ibusuki is known for its sand bath hot springs. The hot spring eggs in the Ontamarandon are also made from the hot spring waters of the sand bath hot springs.

Sand baths are a way to warm up by burying yourself in sand. They use sand that has been heated by natural hot springs on the coast. Hot water at about 70 to 80 degrees flows through the coast where the sand baths are located.

It's a natural sauna where you can listen to the sound of the waves and enjoy the coastal scenery. After 10 to 15 minutes in the hot sand, you'll sweat all over your body and feel refreshed. Ibusuki's natural sand baths are rare even on a global scale, and are visited by many people.

Ibusuki's sand bath hot springs are expected to have the effect of flushing out waste products and inflammatory and pain-inducing substances. In addition, they are said to be effective for lower back pain, joint pain, poor circulation, constipation, and whole-body beauty.

The effects of sand baths are 3 to 4 times more effective than regular hot springs. The effects of sand baths have been verified by a study conducted by Professor Nobuyuki Tanaka of the Kagoshima University School of Medicine.

If you come to Ibusuki, you should stop by Nagasaki Nose

Kagoshima has a warm climate all year round. The Ibusuki area is a hot spring resort with such a tropical feel that it is called the Hawaii of the East. From the mayor's "Aloha Declaration" in late April every year until late October, city employees and bank employees wear aloha shirts.

There are many tourist spots in Ibusuki, but the one I recommend the most is Nagasakibana.

Nagasaki-hana is a cape that juts out from the southernmost tip of the Satsuma Peninsula. Nagasaki-hana is also a sea turtle nesting site, and is said to be the cape from which Urashima Taro departed for the Dragon Palace, hence the nickname "Ryugu-hana." Ryugu Shrine, dedicated to Princess Otohime, is famous as a power spot for matchmaking.

From the cape, you can see Mt. Kaimon, also known as the Fuji of Satsuma. You can also enjoy the view of Yakushima and Iwo Jima floating on the sea. The view of the blue sea, sky, and mountains stretching out as far as the eye can see is magnificent. This is the southernmost cape on the Satsuma Peninsula, and is definitely one you should visit at least once.

The Satsuma Nagasaki Nose Lighthouse on the cape has been certified as a "Love Lighthouse" in the "Love Lighthouse Project" run by the Japan Romanticist Association. There is a promenade leading up to the lighthouse, making it a popular date spot for couples.

How to get to Ibusuki

There are various ways to get to Ibusuki Station from Kagoshima Chuo. There are buses and ferries, but we recommend using the JR line. If you take the tourist express "Ibusuki no Tamatebako," affectionately known as Ibutama, you will arrive at Ibusuki in about an hour.

The Ibusuki treasure box was born from the Dragon Palace Legend of Nagasakihana, a popular tourist destination. The Dragon Palace Legend is a story featuring the well-known Urashima Taro.

The exterior is a unique two-tone color, white on the sea side and black on the mountain side. The interior is colorful, in stark contrast to the monotone exterior. There are plenty of things to see, such as the sea-themed seat covers, bookshelves inlaid with stained glass, and illustrations of fish.

The Ibusuki treasure box also has an interesting mechanism. When Urashima Taro opened the box, he released the white smoke, and mist comes out from the top of the door.

Don't forget the small treasure boxes placed inside the train. If you put a message in the box, the "Kotodama Service" will play it over the train's announcements, so be sure to give it a try.

After enjoying the spectacular views of Kinko Bay and Sakurajima, you will arrive in Ibusuki in no time.

Location of Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture

summary

Even though they are all Ibusuki's "Wat Tamaran Donburi," each restaurant is completely different. Every restaurant uses safe and secure local ingredients. The "Wat Tamaran Donburi," which is packed with the charms of Ibusuki, is a proud local gourmet dish.

If you visit Ibusuki City in Kagoshima Prefecture, be sure to try the Ontamarandon. We also recommend working up a sweat in the sand baths.

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