🕓 2025/4/7
#Hotels
Table of Contents
About Mie Prefecture
Mie Prefecture is located in the Kinki region of Japan and is a captivating area where rich nature and historical culture converge. It is home to many renowned sites deeply connected to Japan’s spiritual culture, including Ise Grand Shrine, the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails, and Matsusaka Castle ruins. Among these, Ise Grand Shrine is often called the “spiritual homeland” of the Japanese people, attracting numerous worshippers throughout the year.
In terms of tourism, the prefecture features numerous spots where visitors can experience nature firsthand, including the beautiful rias coastline of Ago Bay, the abundant seafood of Ise-Shima, and Odaigahara — a designated national park. Visitors can also enjoy nationally acclaimed gourmet offerings such as Matsusaka beef, Ise ebi (spiny lobster), and Matoya oysters. Mie, where tradition and nature coexist, is a land that has captivated travelers since ancient times.
Below, we introduce three carefully selected luxury hotels that offer an exceptional stay when visiting Mie Prefecture.
- 3 Select Japanese-Style Ryokans in Mie Prefecture
- Amanemu
- Oyado The Earth — An Inn to Watch the Storm
- ■ The Appeal of Oyado The Earth
- ■ Access Information for Oyado The Earth
3 Select Japanese-Style Ryokans in Mie Prefecture
Amanemu
Source: Amanemu Official Website
■ The Appeal of Amanemu
“Amanemu,” located within Ise-Shima National Park in Mie Prefecture, is Aman’s first hot spring resort, offering a luxurious stay in harmony with nature. Below, we introduce the unique charms of Amanemu in detail.
1. Architecture and Guest Rooms Incorporating Traditional Japanese Beauty
Amanemu’s architectural design is a modern reinterpretation of traditional Japanese houses, featuring gabled roofs and cedar wood exterior walls. These elements harmonize beautifully with the surrounding natural environment, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere. All 24 suites and 4 villas are equipped with private onsen (hot spring) baths, allowing guests to enjoy the hot springs in complete privacy. The guest rooms feature spacious living areas and large windows, offering panoramic views of Ago Bay and the surrounding forests.
2. “Thermal Spring” — Hot Spring Facilities Utilizing the Resort’s Own Natural Source
The “Thermal Spring,” which utilizes natural hot spring water from the resort’s own source, is located within a vast 2,000-square-meter spa area. This outdoor bathing facility is designed for use with swimwear and features two open-air baths at different temperatures. The spring water is a sodium chloride hot spring, said to be effective for muscle pain, joint pain, cold sensitivity, and fatigue recovery. Daybeds are also arranged around the Thermal Spring, allowing guests to relax while gazing at the serene scenery of Ago Bay.
3. A Dining Experience Featuring Local Ingredients
The restaurant at Amanemu serves Japanese cuisine prepared with the finest seasonal ingredients from the Ise-Shima region, including fresh seafood, Matsusaka beef, and local vegetables. Breakfast is notably served in white wooden boxes inspired by Ise Grand Shrine, featuring a menu centered on local ingredients. More than 20 varieties of Japanese sake, including local brews, are available, allowing guests to enjoy pairings with their meals.
4. Activities to Fully Enjoy the Culture and Nature of Ise-Shima
Amanemu offers a diverse range of activities that allow guests to experience the region’s culture and nature, including visits to Ise Grand Shrine, boat tours on Ago Bay, and walks along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails. Day cruises and sunset cruises on Ago Bay allow guests to enjoy the beautiful seascape aboard a chartered boat. Golf courses are also available nearby, providing opportunities to refresh amid nature.
■ Access Information for Amanemu
- Official Website: https://www.aman.com/ja-jp/resorts/amanemu
- Access: 35 minutes by helicopter from Chubu Centrair International Airport
- Address: 2165 Sakoko, Hamajima-cho, Mie 517-0403
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cficNGJqxxYc64bW8
Oyado The Earth — An Inn to Watch the Storm
Source: Oyado The Earth Official Website
■ The Appeal of Oyado The Earth
“Oyado The Earth,” located within Ise-Shima National Park in Toba City, Mie Prefecture, is a one-of-a-kind inn perched at the tip of a cape overlooking the Pacific Ocean, in perfect harmony with nature. Below, we introduce the unique charms of this inn in detail.
1. A One-of-a-Kind Location Surrounded by Pristine Nature
Oyado The Earth occupies a vast property of approximately 54,000 tsubo (about 178,000 square meters), 95% of which remains as untouched primeval forest. The inn is situated at the tip of the cape, offering sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. This location embodies the principle of coexisting with nature, providing visitors with a special space where they can feel the breath of the earth.
2. All Suite Rooms with Private Open-Air Onsen Baths
All 16 guest rooms are suites, each equipped with a private open-air onsen bath. From the rooms, guests can gaze upon the vast Pacific Ocean and the surrounding primeval forest, enjoying the beauty of nature in complete privacy. The premium suites also offer the option of dining in a private dining room.
3. Diverse Hot Spring Facilities Using the Inn’s Own “Ryu no Su Onsen” Source
The inn’s signature hot spring, “Ryu no Su Onsen” (Dragon’s Nest Hot Spring), is an alkaline simple hot spring said to be effective for muscle pain, joint pain, and cold sensitivity. In addition to the private open-air baths in each room, there are two large communal baths — the indoor bath “UNERI” and the open-air bath “URUMI” — which alternate between men and women at different times. A reservation-only private bath called “Healing” is also available for a more intimate bathing experience.
4. Japanese Kaiseki Cuisine Fusing Local Ingredients with World Flavors
The dining room “Arashi” (Storm) serves Japanese kaiseki cuisine under the concept of “Dining on the World,” combining fresh ingredients from Ise-Shima with ingredients sourced from around the globe. The dishes crafted by Head Chef Motoji Yamakawa captivate visitors with their delicate flavors and beautiful presentations.
5. Facilities and Activities for Immersing in Nature
The inn features a bar lounge and observation deck with sweeping ocean views, allowing guests to fully appreciate the beauty of nature. Trekking courses through the primeval forest on the grounds have also been developed, where guests can enjoy nature walks while listening to birdsong and the sound of waves.
■ Access Information for Oyado The Earth
- Official Website: https://www.asukasou.com/
- Access: Approximately 35 minutes by bus from Toba Station to The Earth.
- Address: Ryu no Su, Nakanoyama, Ijika-cho, Toba, Mie 517-0026
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mFWgmbVRP4BeTTjMA
NIPPONIA HOTEL Iga Ueno Castle Town
Source: NIPPONIA HOTEL Iga Ueno Castle Town Official Website
■ The Appeal of NIPPONIA HOTEL Iga Ueno Castle Town
Iga Ueno, surrounded by mountains, is a castle town steeped in rich history and culture, known as the birthplace of ninja and the hometown of the great haiku poet Matsuo Basho. NIPPONIA HOTEL Iga Ueno Castle Town, as its name suggests, embraces a unique concept of a “dispersed hotel” that uses the entire castle town as its stage.
1. Stay in Living History — A Timeless Experience
The most distinctive appeal of NIPPONIA HOTEL Iga Ueno Castle Town is the opportunity to stay in historic buildings, some hundreds of years old, scattered throughout the castle town. Rather than simply lodging in old structures, guests can experience a living history, feeling the stories and heritage embedded in each building. For example, “Kanmuri,” which houses the hotel reception, was once “Eirakuya,” a prosperous herbal medicine wholesaler that later served as a culinary inn and learning facility beloved by many cultural figures. It is now designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.
2. Savoring “IGAMONO” — An Encounter with Fine Cuisine
Discovering the charm of a place through its food is one of the greatest pleasures of travel. The restaurant “Ruan” at NIPPONIA HOTEL Iga Ueno Castle Town offers cuisine under the theme of “local production for local consumption,” generously using rich ingredients nurtured in the Iga Basin. Of particular note is the encounter with “IGAMONO” — rare local ingredients that are carefully cultivated in the region and mostly consumed locally.
3. Unforgettable Experiences Touching Iga’s Culture
Iga Ueno, renowned as the home of ninja, offers various cultural experiences related to ninja. NIPPONIA HOTEL Iga Ueno Castle Town provides activities for guests to more deeply experience the culture of this region. For example, at the Iga-ryu Ninja Dojo, visitors can touch the world of ninja through hands-on ninjutsu experiences such as shuriken (throwing star) throwing.
4. Heartfelt Hospitality — The VMG Concierge
Attentive hospitality from hotel staff is essential for enhancing the quality of a trip. NIPPONIA HOTEL Iga Ueno Castle Town has dedicated VMG concierges on staff to provide personalized services tailored to each guest’s interests and requests.
5. Uniquely Styled Guest Rooms — Tranquil Spaces for the Soul
At NIPPONIA HOTEL Iga Ueno Castle Town, guests stay in multiple buildings, each with its own distinct history, meaning every room is richly individual and offers a special experience found nowhere else. “Nozaki,” which opened in July 2024, is a special suite villa featuring a kura-style (storehouse) sauna set within an expansive garden. “Kanmuri,” the former herbal medicine wholesaler, offers rooms with private gardens, maisonette-style layouts, hinoki (Japanese cypress) baths, and even rooms equipped with a tea ceremony room.
■ Access Information for NIPPONIA HOTEL Iga Ueno Castle Town
- Official Website: https://www.vmg-igaueno.com/
- Access: After arriving at Uenoshi Station, “Kanmuri” (the hotel reception) is approximately a 6-minute walk
- Address: 2842 Ueno Aioi-cho, Iga, Mie 518-0859
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RFXm697uhVHNviY3A