Aman is pleased to announce plans for a second property in Japan, following the successful launch of Aman Tokyo in December 2014. Amanemu will debut in the first quarter of 2016 in Ise Shima National Park in Honshu’s Mie Prefecture, central Japan. It will be the brand’s first hot spring resort.
Celebrating Japan’s ancient onsen (mineral hot spring) tradition in serene natural surrounds, Amanemu is perched on the shores of Ago Bay, known as the ‘Bay of Pearls’. It will present 24 suites and four two-bedroomed villas all of which have their own onsen, as well as an extensive Aman Spa, a lap pool, restaurant and lounge.
Situated in Shima, in Honshu’s Mie Prefecture, Amanemu lies approximately 300km southwest of Tokyo and is easily accessed via Japan’s high speed rail network. Nagoya is a scenic two-hour train journey or 25-minute helicopter ride from the resort. Located in Ise Shima National Park, renowned as a culinary and cultural treasure trove, Shima will play host to the G7 Summit in 2016. Embracing the full richness of the region, Amanemu, named after the Sanskrit word for ‘peace’ and nemu meaning ‘joy’ in Japanese, will adopt a classic Japanese aesthetic in the ryokan tradition to provide an exclusive sanctuary in harmony with its natural surroundings.
Suites of elegant simplicity will flow onto spacious terraces with tranquil views of Ago Bay, its islands and pearl rafts floating on the calm sea. Each suite will have its own private onsen facilities, while the Aman Spa will offer two expansive onsen bathing pavilions as well as a watsu pool, four treatment suites, a gym and yoga studio.
Amanemu, situated at the tip of the Osaki Peninsula, is surrounded by a complex saw-toothed coastline, in a region renowned for its rich nature, cultured pearls, abundant seafood, not to mention the acclaimed Matsusaka variety of Japanese Wagyu. The resort’s restaurant, serving Japanese cuisine, will celebrate the area’s gourmet heritage of Miketsukuni (land of Imperial provisions), as it was once known as the breadbasket of the ancient Imperial Court.
“Following on from the opening of Aman Tokyo and continuing the Aman journey in Japan, we intend to create a true Aman experience that will provide our guests with the very best of Japan’s unique natural beauty, exquisite cuisine and omotenashi, the special spirit of hospitality” said Olivier Jolivet, CEO of Aman. “Amanemu is in an exceptional location and as per the Aman DNA will be harmoniously blended with its surroundings. This, our first onsen resort, with its nutrient-rich hot springs, will offer an enriching holistic experience that is very much centred on wellness and tradition.”
Vladislav Doronin, Chairman of Aman, said “Amanemu will take the brand to 30 resorts worldwide and will complement Aman Tokyo by offering our guests the opportunity to discover the splendour of Japan, this time in a rural setting. With the design and concept inspired by Japan’s multifaceted culture, Amanemu will seamlessly fuse tradition with modernity, and its onsen facilities, a first for Aman, will further demonstrate our team’s continued commitment to seek out and provide our guests with unrivalled experiences in captivating destinations.”
In addition to exceptional nearby facilities that include an 18-hole championship golf course, Amanemu will offer bespoke Aman Journeys, seeking out the cultural nuances and finest experiences of the region, such as the UNESCO-protected pilgrimage routes of Kumano Kodō and Ise-Jingū, Japan’s most sacred Shintō shrine.
