The history of cultured pearls in the world began in Ise-Shima. It was in 1893 that Kokichi Mikimoto, the “Pearl King,” succeeded in producing the world’s first semicircle pearls. About 120 years later, pearls are still being nurtured in Ago Bay, and their brilliance continues to fascinate people. Ago Bay is a rias coast with a complicated coastline, and more than 60 islands of various sizes float in the calm bay. I visited the Shima Kanko Hotel, a classic hotel located in the bay.
About Shima Kanko Hotel
Shima Kanko Hotel is one of the leading resort hotels in Japan, consisting of three buildings: The Classic, designed by the famous architect Togo Murano, who also designed the World Peace Memorial Cathedral (Hiroshima Prefecture) and the Nissay Theatre (Tokyo), The Bay Suite, which has all suite rooms, and The Club, which retains its original appearance.
In 1946, Ise-Shima was designated as the first national park after World War II. The need for a Western-style hotel in this area was discussed mainly by Mie Prefecture, and in 1951, the first purely Western-style resort hotel was established after the war.
Since its opening, the hotel has been visited by the Emperor and Empress Showa as well as other members of the Imperial Family, distinguished guests from Japan and abroad, and literary figures, and has served as a guest house in Ise-Shima. It is also known that Toyoko Yamazaki, the author of “The Splendid Family” and “The Sun That Never Sets,” used to stay at the hotel. The opening lines of “The Splendid Family,” there is a description of the scenery of the Shima Kanko Hotel.
Shima Kanko Hotel is located on Kashikojima island, the largest inhabited island in Ago Bay. Even though it is the largest, it is a small island with a population of approximately 100 people and a circumference of 7 km, so small that you can make a round of the island in an hour. Kashikojima was the main venue for the G7 Ise-Shima Summit in 2016, in part because of its beautiful location overlooking Ago Bay. The then Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, “The island has beautiful nature with its abundant sea, islands of all sizes, and many coves. It is truly the ‘home’ of Japan.” and he praised it.
The Classic
The Classic, designed by Togo Murano, was completed in 1969 as a new building (now the main building). The building was renovated and earthquake-proofed in 2016, so some parts have changed since its opening, but the essence of Togo Murano’s work can still be felt in key parts of the building.
The entrance lobby has a warm, woody design. Check-in is done in a relaxed and comfortable seating area.
Guest Room
All of the 112 guest rooms have ocean views. The premium location allows you to feel the serenity of Ago Bay from every room.
The entry category Comfort Twin is 27 to 28 square meters. These rooms have a classical atmosphere of the first days of its opening. The orange cushions look like a sunset over Ago Bay.
Premium Twin is 36 to 40 square meters. It’s modern and simple, and the water supply was updated during the 2016 renovation to create a convenient separate bathroom. A bench seat has been installed near the window instead of a sofa. It looks like you can spend a relaxing time while enjoying the view of Ago Bay.
The Royal Suite (96 square meters), where U.S. President Barack Obama stayed during the Ise-Shima Summit. In order to preserve Togo Murano’s design, the water features have been left as is. The mellow curves of Mr. Murano’s features can be seen in the bedboard, sink, and coffee table. Of course there is a classical atmosphere, but the refined and unfaded design is appealing.
Guest Lounge
A spacious guest lounge is located on the second floor. Many hotels have lounges that are only available to guests staying on the club floor or above, but at the Shima Kanko Hotel, all guests are eligible to use the lounge. During open hours (7:00-22:00), guests can enjoy free coffee, tea, and snacks, as well as free beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages.
In the lounge, there is a “Reading Room” where you can read hundreds of books selected with care for the hotel’s history, and a “Listening Room (by reservation only)” where you can enjoy your favorite records with special acoustics. It is a luxurious space where you can spend your time as you like.
Restaurant
Shima Kanko Hotel has earned a reputation for the excellence of its cuisine, which uses luxurious ingredients from Ise-Shima. Executive Chef Hiroe Higuchi, who oversees all of the hotel’s restaurants, including The Classic, The Bay Suite, and The Club, was in charge of the working dinner at the Ise-Shima Summit, where she entertained the heads of state with French cuisine using the rich ingredients of Ise-Shima. Her cuisine is rooted in “tradition and innovation”.
La Mer the Classic French restaurant, whose specialties are abalone steak and lobster cream soup, prepares traditional “seafood French cuisine” that the hotel has inherited.
In one corner of the restaurant is a work by Japanese-born French painter Tsuguharu Fujita (Leonard Fujita) titled “No Asobi (Playing in the Field)”. Originally painted as a decorative painting for a department store, it is one of the largest paintings left in Japan. There are many other paintings in the museum, so please enjoy viewing art as well.
The Bay Suites
Overlooking Ago Bay, “The Bay Suites” opened in 2008. 50 guest rooms are all suites with over 100 square meters of space, which is a luxury.
Check-in is done in a stylish chair. The water basin swaying in front of the lounge will help you relax and forget the fatigue of your trip during the procedure.
Guest Room
Superior Suites (100 square meters) have an open-air balcony. In addition, the bathtubs in some rooms are designed to look out over Ago Bay, so you can enjoy the spectacular view while soaking in the bath.
Room amenities are by Mikimoto Cosmetics. This is a production that gives a sense of the uniqueness of Ise-Shima.
Guest Lounge
The Bay Suites guest lounge has a rooftop garden that was visited by the leaders of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit. If you stay at the Bay Suite, you are sure to enjoy the spectacular panoramic view from the rooftop.
Restaurant
The Bay Suite has two restaurants.
La Mer offers a modern French concept as opposed to La Mer Classic, which offers classic French cuisine.
At Hamayu, you can also enjoy Japanese cuisine that makes the most of the flavors of seasonal ingredients from Ise-Shima. The presentation of the seasons and their flavors is another point to look forward to.
The Club
The Club retains the building as it was when it opened in 1951. It is no longer in operation as a lodging facility, and now serves as a café, teppanyaki restaurant, chronicle of the history of Shima Kanko Hotel, and memorial corner for the G7 Ise-Shima Summit, while retaining Togo Murano’s design in strong colors.
Perhaps it is because the beautiful rias coastline, which is said to be the original landscape – The Shima Kanko Hotel is supposed to be a resort hotel of the sea, but it feels as if it is embraced by the earth as well. Combined with the traditional spirit of hospitality that has been nurtured over the past 70 years, you may feel a sense of peace and tranquility that can only be found in this place. Why don’t you experience the relaxed “Shima Time” where time seems to move at a different pace?
Shima Kanko Hotel
| Address | 731Shinmei, Ago-cho, Shima City, MIE |
| TEL | +81-599-43-1211 |
| Website | Shima Kanko Hotel |
