Basaratei

"Teisho" seems to mean "shore" or "water's edge," and "basara" means "a lavishly decorated appearance." This inn was a wonderful, "beautifully decorated" inn, located on the tranquil shore of Ago Bay. The room I stayed in was in the Wind Wing in the main building, and was a generous 100m², with an open-air bath, an indoor bath, and outdoor resort sofas, making for a very comfortable stay. There is one private bath for a fee and three free ones. Reservations are required, with one bath reserved at check-in and another at 5pm. I tried the "Amano Kagami" and "Kuyuri Nobiri" baths, and I particularly recommend Amano Kagami, as it has a very open feel. Dinner is served in a private room. You can enjoy creative cuisine while looking out at a small pond where Nishikigoi carp swim. The alcohol seems a little on the pricey side. All the dishes were carefully prepared with seafood and local ingredients. The Shima-oki Sashimi, which featured a generous amount of sea urchin, and the Charcoal-Grilled Kumano Beef with figs were particularly memorable. On the way home from dinner, guests were served a late-night snack of boiled fish, edamame, and inari sushi. I thought this was excellent service. The hotel also offers a lounge called "AOI" near the entrance, which serves a variety of drinks, including alcohol, and snacks, and a slightly more remote lounge called "Sazanami," located on the waterfront a short distance from the main building. Both are excellent places to relax. While the breakfast was nothing special, both the Japanese and Western dishes were delicious. I chose this lodging because I wanted to spend a relaxing day in the resort town of Kashikojima, eating lots of delicious food and drinking, and I was very satisfied. I highly recommend this lodging for couples looking for a quiet getaway.