This week, Amanemu, a new hot spring resort, opens in the stunning Ise Shima National Park along the shores of Ago Bay in Japan. This resort is a charming counterpart to Aman Tokyo and features a classic Japanese ryokan style, with 24 suites and four two-bedroom villas, each equipped with its own onsen.
Amanemu aims to provide a peaceful, welcoming experience, embodying the Japanese spirit of ‘omotenashi,’ which blends warmth and respect. The resort’s operations follow the ryokan tradition, with a female manager, or ‘okami,’ central to delivering attentive and personalized hospitality.
Designed by Kerry Hill Architects, the resort reflects a modern take on traditional Japanese Minka buildings, showcasing low-tiled roofs and dark-stained cedar walls. The approach to the resort is lined with maple and cherry trees, creating a lush, green entrance that sets the tone for the entire property.
Inside, you’ll find traditional Japanese art, including intricate Kumiko designs and unique pieces by renowned kimono and obi artisan Genbei Yamaguchi. The spa is a major highlight, featuring a large communal onsen, two private spa pavilions with indoor and outdoor onsens, a fitness center, Watsu suites, and a yoga studio with panoramic views of a tranquil garden.
The restaurant, with its spacious design inspired by the casual izakaya style, serves local Japanese dishes made from fresh produce from Mie Prefecture, known for its delicate fruits, vegetables, and seafood. The menu, crafted daily by a team of 12 chefs, includes local specialties like Matsusaka Wagyu beef. Complementing the meals are selections of sake, shochu, and premium Japanese whiskey.
Nearby, the Ise Grand Shrine, Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrine, is just an hour away from the resort. The shrine complex includes the outer Geku and inner Naiku shrines, surrounded by lush greenery and the Isuzu River. Amanemu offers private guided tours and the chance to experience Okagura, a traditional dance to honor deities.
Guests can also explore the Kumano Kodo, a series of ancient pilgrimage routes recently designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites. For golf enthusiasts, the resort provides access to Nemu Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course with scenic views of Ago Bay.
