Sandbox Oshima

Sandbox Oshima stands in the Motomachi district of Izu Oshima, about a 5-minute walk from Motomachi Port, and is an inn where guests can detox in the sauna and sand bath. It suits adults who love saunas and families who want a flexible style of stay.

The inn's strength is its well-equipped bath and sauna facilities. Alongside the sauna, a sand bath, ganbanyoku (heated-stone sauna) and mist sauna are available for an additional charge, soothing the tiredness of island travel from deep down. They are ideal for parents to take turns refreshing once the children are asleep.

Families with children will appreciate the private non-smoking rooms and their mini kitchens. With a mini kitchen you can warm up a child's meal or baby food, or do simple cooking, and shape the day around your family's plans. There are dormitories as well, including a women-only one, but families will be more comfortable in a private room.

The inn is in the Motomachi district, about a 5-minute walk from Motomachi Port, where ferries and jet boats dock, and about 7 minutes by car from Oshima Airport, so both the sea and air gateways are close at hand. It is also well placed for getting around to spots families can enjoy together, such as hiking on Mount Mihara, Tsubaki Hana Garden, where you can meet squirrels, and Oshima Park Zoo, which has free admission.

Please note that this is an inn built around saunas and self-catering, rather than one whose main focus is children's play equipment, pools or meal service. The sand bath, ganbanyoku and similar facilities carry an additional charge, and whether children may use them differs by facility, so please be sure to confirm this along with the room type when you book.