Marking a decade since opening its doors as Aman’s first Japanese sanctuary in theIse-Shima National Park, Amanemu now invites guests to discover this compelling destination through a series of new, complimentary experiences – each deeply rooted in the region’s spiritual setting and local traditions. From waterfall purification rituals to pearl jewellery making and traditional crafts, each one has been chosen to reflect Aman’s enduring commitment to fostering understanding through meaningful encounters.
Set in Japan’s Mie Prefecture – the country’s spiritual heartland – Amanemu offers a gateway to discover one of Japan’s most culturally significant regions. At its heart lies the revered Ise Jingu shrine, where priests have gathered twice a day for 1,500 years to present sacred gifts – from seaweed to sake – to the resident gods. Every 20 years, the entire complex is dismantled and rebuilt, a centuries-old act of devotion celebrating ancient craftsmanship and the impermanence of all things. From June, guests may select one complimentary experience for every night of their stay, in addition to breakfast and dinner, enabling full immersion in the heritage of Ise-Shima. A private visit to Ise Jingu with a local guide is among the most significant of the newly offered experiences. Guests can spend an afternoon as a Shrine Parishioner, or ‘ujiko’, taking part in rituals such as purification and shrine care, and receiving a goshuin stamp – a spiritual “attendance record” that deepens their insight into enduring customs and the quiet spirit of Japanese devotion.
From its hilltop position Amanemu overlooks Ago Bay – an intricate coastline dotted with pearl and seaweed cultivation rafts. The coastline has been shaped by the traditions of Ama divers, whose practices of freediving for abalone and lobster enrich the region’s cultural identity. In addition to existing nature led experiences spanning private cruises and fishing trips across the bay, as well as a seafood lunch in the company of Ama divers, Amanemu’s guests can discover the history of pearl cultivation that has shaped life along Ago Bay with pearl jewellery-making with Ise-Shima pearls. Guests can also now visit Ama-no-Iwato, a site closely linked to Japanese mythology, for a contemplative waterfall meditation or even study the celestial legends of the night sky with the resort’s specialist stargazing guide.
Meanwhile, the introduction of cultural experiences offers the opportunity to engage with the region’s artisanal heritage. Hands-on workshops such as indigo dying and working with traditional materials such as gikakushi paper and hemp, in turn connect guests with local craftsmen and the techniques of time-gone-by.
Beyond the line-up of daily complimentary experiences, a renewed culinary offering further celebrates the Ise-Shima region and its reputation as Miketsukuni (Land of Royal Provisions). With daily breakfast served Western or Japanese style, and dinner showcasing local ingredients such as Matsusaka beef and Ise lobster, guests can immerse all their senses in the region – a place once entrusted with supplying produce to the Imperial Court and Ise Jingu.
Also honouring its 10th anniversary, Amanemu has recently introduced two new wellness journeys to the spa. Presenting guests additional opportunities for restoration and renewal, the programmes enhance the already robust Aman Spa offering and opportunities to bathe in mineral-rich onsen springs. Amanemu draws on the concept of the traditional Japanese ryokan, celebrating the restorative power of the region’s mineral-rich hot springs within its 2,000 square metre Aman Spa, made up of an open network of mineral-rich onsen pools.
The first, Forest and Water – a 120-minute spa treatment, is inspired by the landscapes that define Ise-Shima and the ancient story of the discovery of the sacred lands of Ise for Amaterasu Omikami, the supreme Shinto sun deity. It combines grounding rituals, onsen water therapies, warm herbal compresses and flowing stokes inspired by the ocean, alongside incorporating ingredients sourced from the region. Harnessing pearl salt from Ago Bay and locally grown botanicals, the experience offers a profound connection to the destination, alongside a soulful restoration.
Secondly, the Essence of Tokowaka is a new two-day wellness programme designed to embody the 1,300-year-old Shikinen Sengu ritual of dismantling the Ise Jingu shrine. Drawing on the concept of continual renewal and circulation, the experience unfolds through alternating 12 sessions of yoga, breathwork, acupuncture, moxibustion and bodywork. Each session builds gently on to the next, guided by the principles of the Five Elements and chakra alignment. The programme is designed to restore balance and encourage the natural circulation of energy throughout the body and mind.
Alongside the new offerings, guests can also enjoy access to Aman Spa’s extensive wellness facilities, including natural hot spring bathing areas, sauna and steam rooms, fitness facilities and a swimming pool overlooking Ago Bay. Every Suite and Villa also benefits from its own private onsen fed by the region’s thermal springs – a quiet space for ritualistic rejuvenation, powered by Mother Nature.
Guests travelling from Aman Tokyo may reach Amanemu by bullet train, embarking at Tokyo Station and arriving into Nagoya in under two hours aboard the Shinkansen – passing Mount Fuji along the way – before continuing by Kintetsu train through the Japanese countryside to Kashikojima Station, where a complimentary car transfer completes the final stretch to Amanemu’s forested shores. For those seeking a more dramatic arrival, a private helicopter can be arranged, travelling from Tokyo in just under two hours and landing directly on Amanemu’s own helipad – the moment the Ise-Shima coastline comes into view marking the beginning of the experience itself.
