Ginsho, an inn for a couple's open-air bath

Ginsho, the ‘Couples Open-Air Bath Inn,’ is a hot spring ryokan in the Ibusuki hot spring area of Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Its highlights include guest rooms with private open-air baths (still relatively rare in Ibusuki) and a unique table from which hot spring water wells up. All rooms have ocean views, and you can choose from tasteful Japanese-style or Western-style rooms. The hot springs are on the top floor and designed to feel like they merge with the sea, offering open-air baths full of openness and freedom. There are six baths in total for men and women combined. Next door is Ibusuki Sunamushi Onsen Saraku, where you can enjoy sand baths on the beach. At meals, hot spring water rises from the center of the table, letting you make onsen eggs or warm sake. The freshly fried satsuma-age made in front of you is especially praised by tourists as delicious. In the Ginsho garden, there are 51 heart shapes—searching for them while strolling and looking at the sea is also recommended. Access: about 4 minutes by taxi from JR Ibusuki Station. There is no shuttle service, but parking is free.