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For an open bath under the eyes of the dragon god, check out Furusato hot springs in Kyushu, southern Japan. The history of this luxurious Japanese spa resort stretches back to 1755, although the ancient shrine built into the side of this open-air hot spring looks even older.

The shrine, dedicated to the dragon god, is wrapped in a protective bundle of thick pine roots. Its location is the Japanese island of Sakurajima, a live volcano whose ash sometimes muddies the hot pools. Usually though, the water in the hot springs is crystal clear and in order to enter it, guests must first change into a white kimono before descending to the mixed hot springs bath by the beach.

Click here to see some wild Japanese bathing snow monkeys.

British Airways flies to Tokyo from London Heathrow. Book now at ba.com

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