Amanemu: Ultra-luxury hot spring inn in Ise-Shima National Park, Japan

Luxury hotel brand Aman’s portfolio in Japan ranges from the sophisticated soaring minimalism of Aman Tokyo, perched above the city’s electric hustle and bustle, to the quiet, lantern-lit elegance of its sister hotel in Kyoto. It’s full of people who want attention. A secret mossy garden.

But it feels like Aman’s most heartfelt love letter to Japan, and perhaps even its greatest secret, is deep within the pine-covered hills of Ise-Shima National Park near Nagoya. “Amanemu” is a quiet and little-known hideout nestled in the middle of nowhere.

True to its name, which means “peaceful joy,” the hotel’s design is a modern ode to traditional Japanese inns. Soaring wood ceilings and pale wood paneling allow for plenty of natural light, while low-slung beds, tatami-inspired accents, and minimal furniture enhance the tranquil atmosphere.

But Amanemu’s setting is as sacred as it is serene. Just a short drive from Japan’s holiest shrine, Ise Jingu, and the ancient pilgrimage route, Kumano Kodo, this resort is at the heart of a region steeped in spiritual meaning.

For centuries, travelers have traveled the region’s forested hills in search of rebirth, their footprints winding through pine ridges and cedar forests to sparkling oyster-dotted Ago Bay. We are following a path to a shrine in the waters of .

Four hours by two trains from Tokyo and a 25-minute helicopter ride from Chubu Centrair International Airport, Amanemu retains that sense of pilgrimage, albeit with plenty of luxury.

Why stay here?

Aman has always been more than just a hotel brand. It’s a lifestyle whispered about in the quiet hallways of celebrity elites. Since its humble beginnings as a villa in Phuket in the 1980s, Bill Gates, David Beckham and the Kardashians are among its loyal celebrity fans.

These days, you can find Aman lighting up the skylines of New York and Tokyo, and the name attached to upcoming picture-perfect resorts in the Maldives and Dubai.

But Amanemu, tucked away in Japan’s Mie Prefecture, is the brand’s true self, with a focus on secluded beauty, seemingly magical service, and a spacious, understated design that draws you deep into the local spirit. represents.

room

Amanemu’s 24 suites and villas were designed by the late Kerry Hill and have the feel of a modern inn. Dotted on a hillside, their verandas overlook manicured gardens and stunning views of Ago Bay.

At the Nagi Suite, soaring timber ceilings create a sense of spaciousness, while blonde wood paneling, woven shutters and sophisticated black stone details bring the design into harmony with the natural surroundings.

Blurring the lines between inside and outside, traditional screens open to flood the space with soft golden light, while low-slung furniture keeps the focus on the tranquil landscape beyond.

The dark stone bathroom features a deep hot spring bath with mineral-rich steam drawn directly from the nearby hot springs. With the evening light filtering through the screens, soaking here feels more like a ritual than a routine.

As expected from Aman, the service is very intuitive. Yukata pajamas are neatly folded after turndown, and a thoughtful pillow gift is provided each night. A minibar stocked with complimentary soft drinks and crunchy cookies is a welcoming touch, and underfloor heating will keep your toes warm on cold mornings.

Eating and drinking

Beneath high ribbed ceilings, Amanemu’s main dining room has thick carpeting, is surrounded by fragrant cypress walls, and is flooded with light from glass windows that frame stunning views of Ago Bay. .

Chef Katsutoshi Kitahara’s menu celebrates the region’s seasonal bounty. Delicate sashimi made with local spiny lobster and tender abalone, salt-grilled skin, finely sliced ​​sashimi, and Matsusaka beef served with piping hot dandan noodles. The signature truffle soba is a mound of silky noodles topped with a delicate quail egg that crumbles with just the slightest push, coating everything in a rich golden sheen.

If you’re looking for something more casual, the restaurant also offers bubbling hot pot and a large selection of nigiri, which are especially popular with Asian guests. There’s also a dedicated vegan menu, a surprising find in this famously carnivorous region of the world. There’s also a selection of Italian pastas and sandwiches for the less adventurous.

Breakfast (included in all room rates) is served in the cozy poolside lounge, opposite the hotel’s main pavilion, where the morning sunlight glistens off the water. The four-page menu caters to all tastes, but the highlight is the Japanese breakfast set, which includes a platter of fresh sashimi, dashimaki eggs, tofu, congee, miso soup, and an assortment of appetizers. Too relaxed to leave the room? They will be happy to deliver it to you for a small fee.

As day turns to night, the lounge transforms into a lively yet sophisticated gathering place. Here you can sip Japanese craft beers and house cocktails inspired by local fruits and herbs, the perfect way to end a day exploring Amanemu and its tranquil surroundings.

spa

It’s worth checking out Amanemu just for the spa. The expansive 2,000 square meter space is rooted in the 6th century Japanese hot spring tradition, with shallow stone open-air baths that feel like a sanctuary within a sanctuary.

Low, half-timbered pavilions surround a steaming hot springs garden, and daybeds sit beneath open trellised cabanas, exposing you to the crisp mountain air.

Spa treatments utilize Kampo, a Japanese herbal therapy rooted in Chinese medicine, with an artful blend of seaweed, pearl powder, and seasonal herbs to balance mind and body.

And the Aqua Movement Suite features a dry sauna and steam room to enhance the overall experience, as well as water-based therapies that gently float the body back to equilibrium.

What to do

Beyond the resort’s steaming hot springs and expansive grounds (which you can explore on the bikes you rent from reception), there’s plenty to see and do in the local area.

Ago Bay is the center of Japan’s legendary ama divers. For thousands of years, Ama divers are generations of fearless women who have been diving to the ocean floor in search of scallops, abalone, sea urchins, and snails. Amanemu provides valuable insight into this disappearing world. Your concierge will arrange a private lunch or barbecue with the ama divers at their waterside huts, where your fresh catch will sizzle over an open fire.

A short drive away is Ise Jingu, the most revered shrine. Led by an expert local guide, explore the tranquil grounds, which are ceremonially rebuilt every 20 years to embody the impermanence and rebirth at the heart of this belief system.

After a two-hour tour of the inner and outer shrines, stroll through the charming old wooden storefronts and lantern-lit alleys of nearby Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho. Here, aromatic food stalls serve piping hot meat skewers and plump, flavorful mochi dumplings, while artisans create their products using techniques honed and passed down through generations.

Other activities include teeing off at a nearby golf club, hiking in local woodlands, kayaking and fishing in Ago Bay, and can easily be arranged by calling the hotel’s concierge. .

judgment

Amanemu is a place where the world quietly goes out of focus, but luxury never goes out of focus. The sound of pine trees swaying in the wind, the soft steam rising from the natural hot springs, and the golden glow of the sun shining into Ago Bay all combine to create a moment of meditative bliss.

It’s the kind of peace you don’t realize you wanted until you got here. It’s a moment to stop, take a breath, and step away from the outside world for a little while longer.

Scott was a guest at Amanemu. Room rates start from $1,350 (approx. £1,080) per night for two people, including tax, daily breakfast and transport from Kashijima Station.