[Take off your watch and let yourself go] AMANEMU

Aman, which began with Amanpuri on the island of Phuket, has expanded its resort network to countries around the world, including Bhutan, Greece, and Italy. Following its first urban hotel in Japan, Aman Tokyo, Aman's first hot spring resort, Amanemu, opened in 2016. Located on the coast of Ago Bay in Ise-Shima National Park, the resort is dotted with 24 suites, five villas, pavilions, and a spa across a site of approximately 250,000 square meters. The name Amanemu comes from the Sanskrit word aman, meaning "peaceful," and the Japanese word nemu, meaning "joy."

Miketsuku hot spring villas that lead the body and mind to peaceful joy

　Repeat guests who visit Aman hotels around the world are known as Aman junkies. They say that Amanemu reminds them of Amanoi, which stands on the coastline overlooking Binh Hy Bay in Vietnam's Nui Chua National Park. When they actually visited, they were reminded that there are places in Japan worth visiting, rather than negative thoughts like, "I can't go abroad right now..."

　The design, which incorporates the traditions and design elements of Japanese inns, was created by a team led by architect Kelly Hill. The building's proportions, with its tiled roof and approximately 5m high ceilings, are inspired by Ise Grand Shrine, and the understated design embodies Japanese elegance, taking advantage of the natural scenery that unfolds outside the windows. The bathroom follows the style of a traditional Japanese bath, and when you turn the faucet with the hot spring mark, rich sodium chloride spring water fills the granite bathtub.

　The newly opened "Tsuki Villa" in April this year has a separate, private Onsen HANARE on its grounds, where cherry blossoms and autumn leaves are arranged in the gazebo garden, allowing you to enjoy the hot spring all to yourself while feeling the change of seasons. As it is located away from the other villas and suites, you can feel the tranquility and nature and fully immerse yourself in the hot spring.

　Shima is one of the Miketsukuni food regions, which has offered abundant seafood to the Imperial Court and the shrines since ancient times. Drawing on this food culture, lunch and dinner are served with a feast that generously uses luxurious ingredients such as spiny lobster, abalone, and Matsusaka beef. In contrast, breakfast features a variety of carefully prepared dishes, including freshly cooked Kumano Kodo rice, overnight-dried horse mackerel and Spanish mackerel caught in nearby waters, and tofu. "What is true luxury?" asks head chef Inaba Masanobu. The meal is designed to make you imagine dining at Ise Grand Shrine. Amanemu Journey also offers plans to visit producers of bonito flakes, kelp, salt, and other ingredients offered to Ise Grand Shrine, so it would be a great idea to tour the Miketsukuni region.

　Aman, which reflects the local climate, has been based on the idea of ​​"home away from home" since its founding. Hearing this made perfect sense to me. During my stay, I felt a warm, family-like atmosphere, yet the hospitality was casual and unassuming, which was very comforting. Just like the architectural design that blends into its surroundings, the elegance of the place really brought my time in Shima into sharp relief.

AMANEMU

2165, Hamashimacho, Shima City, Mie Prefecture
Tel.0599-52-5000
Check-in 15:00 / Check-out 12:00
All 29 rooms
Rates for two people sharing a room, including breakfast, start from 110,000 yen
(Tax and 15% service charge not included)