Enjoy seafood and relaxation at Kashikojima in Mie Prefecture. A luxurious auberge stay with only eight rooms available per day

Hiramatsu, a chain of high-end restaurants across Japan, opened this first hotel under the Hiramatsu brand in 2016, and it offers not only culinary hospitality, but also a full range of facilities, including guest rooms, hot springs, and a spa. It is a small luxury hotel that goes beyond the scope of a traditional auberge. The hotel has only eight rooms in the main building and an annex, allowing you to spend a relaxing and luxurious time in a private space. To fully convey its charm, travel-loving fashion editor Maki Shinjo reports on her two-day stay.

Maki Shinjo

Editor and writer. He is in charge of directing photo shoots and writing pages for women's fashion magazines, mainly the magazine "CanCam" (Shogakukan). He is also active in a wide range of fields, including writing for web media and corporate advertisements, and producing social media for corporations.

Welcomed by Kashikojima, where time flows quietly

The hotel is located on Kashikojima, an island connected by a bridge in Ago Bay, Shima City, Mie Prefecture. It has long been known as a gourmet destination with an abundance of seafood.

From Chubu Centrair International Airport, we took the express train to Kashikojima Station in about two and a half hours. With only one transfer, the journey was smoother than expected. As we got closer to our destination, our hunger grew and our expectations for delicious food grew. This is where our stomach preparations for the trip began...!

When you arrive at Kashikojima Station, you will be greeted by a free shuttle bus from THE HIRAMATSU HOTELS & RESORTS Kashikojima (hereafter referred to as Hiramatsu Kashikojima) (reservations required). After a 10-minute drive around the tranquil island, you will arrive at the hotel. The metallic exterior that glitters in the sunlight was designed by world-renowned designer Yasumichi Morita. It is simple yet luxurious, giving you the feeling of a luxurious stay that is one step above the rest.

The entrance, decorated in white, is lined with sophisticated modern furniture, antique objects, and paintings by famous artists, making it seem like an art museum housing some of the world's finest collections.

Once you've checked in, a welcome drink will be brought to you. This is nectar juice from Alain Milliat, a favorite in luxury hotels and restaurants around the world. Choose your favorite flavor from five different flavors (blueberry, raspberry, pineapple, summer pear, and lychee were on the menu that day). The rich, full-bodied taste of French fruit will blow away any fatigue from your travels.

On the terrace overlooking the lush Ago Bay, there are cafe tables and comfortable day sofas. The leisurely sea and the lush greenery... spending quiet time gazing at the great outdoors before your eyes is the ultimate relaxation. Forget the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some time to "do nothing" to your heart's content.

Relax and unwind in a room surrounded by the warmth of plain wood.

There are a total of eight guest rooms, four in the main building and four in the annex. Although the interiors and decor are different, they all have the beautiful Ago Bay in front of them. Outside the windows, the serene scenery of Shima unfolds.

This time I stayed in a twin room in the main building. The room is cozy and surrounded by the warmth of plain wood, with gentle light streaming in through the wooden blinds. The 55 square meter space is more than enough for two people. The carefully selected luxury bed and sofa are so comfortable that you'll be enchanted.

As I was relaxing in my room, there was a knock on the door and welcome sweets were brought in. The menu for that day was almond blancmange topped with mango and a chocolate bite. The elegant taste that spread in my mouth seemed to convey the hotel's warm welcome.

By the way, the logo engraved on the chocolate is the Hiramatsu logo, which can be seen throughout the hotel. The "moon" symbolizes the richness of the Japanese heart, and the "elephant" represents a sense of security and devotion. This logo, which combines these two motifs, embodies the spirit of hospitality, which is to make guests feel at home.

The bathroom is also a great place to enjoy the attention to detail. The skin care products are by Mikimoto Cosmetics, a brand unique to Shima, the town of pearls. I was in high spirits, hoping that maybe I could achieve beautiful, lustrous skin like pearls! The hair care products are by Omnisens Paris, a natural brand that is perfect for Kashikojima, surrounded by nature. The wonderful selection of amenities made me look forward to taking a bath.

The loungewear, essential for relaxing at home, is made by a Kyoto fabric store. It's made of gauze fabric, so it's breathable and keeps you warm. The stylish design gives it a relaxed feel.

There is a bathroom in the guest room, but we decided to make the most of the open-air bath! We made use of the private open-air bath, which requires a reservation. The water, which is drawn from Okushima Hamajima Onsen's Mitabi no Yu hot springs, is weakly alkaline and gentle on the skin. The smooth water gently enveloped my entire body, leaving my skin feeling moisturized.
Amidst the tranquil nature overlooking Ago Bay, the only sound that can be heard is the pleasant sound of water. A moment spent bathing in hot water while feeling the cool, refreshing air outside is the ultimate luxury.

If you value privacy, choose a room with an open-air bath

For those who want to enjoy an even more luxurious stay, we recommend the Executive Room in a separate building, which has an open-air bath inside the room. You can bathe in the bath 24 hours a day, so you can enjoy the hot springs with an emphasis on privacy. If you open the window on the terrace, you will feel even more open.

The temperature is carefully controlled, so you can enjoy a nice, warm bath at any time without having to worry about the time. Since you can enjoy the open-air hot spring without leaving your room, it is popular with a wide range of people, including those who want to lose track of time and relax, and families with children. It is said that "this room is the Hiramatsu equivalent," so make your reservation early.

Detox your body and mind at the Thalasso Spa surrounded by nature.

If you visit Hiramatsu Kashikojima, you can't miss the spa, where you can receive "thalassotherapy" using the ocean water of Kashikojima. The time spent immersing yourself in a heated ocean water pool and feeling your body and mind relax is truly blissful. The course is 60 minutes, so it's a good idea to receive it first thing in the morning to wake up your body.

If you are looking for a more luxurious healing experience, we recommend the 150-minute course (facility rental) that combines thalassotherapy with a clay pack from "CRAYD" and an oil treatment by a therapist. Gently release and rejuvenate your stiff body and mind... Enjoy a detox experience that can only be experienced here.

Feast your taste buds on a gourmet full course meal packed with the bounty of Shima!

Ise-Shima is known for its abundance of seafood, and was once described in the Nihon Shoki as "Umashikuni" (Beautiful Country). Shima City was also a treasure trove of food, earning it the nickname "Mitsukuni" (Land of Food), as it presented food ingredients to the Imperial Family and the Imperial Court. Now that Kashikojima is a place with a reputation for being a gourmet destination, it's finally time for the long-awaited dinner! We'll be eating in a private dining room.

First, the fine ingredients that will be used in the dish were brought out. Locally grown vegetables and mushrooms, truffles, abalone, live spiny lobster, and other beautiful-looking ingredients were on display, and my heart leapt with excitement. In addition to these, golden-eyed snapper and Matsusaka beef were also on display, so bravo! As you would expect from Kashikojima, a treasure trove of ingredients.

Today's menu consists of eight dishes. It is a full-course menu created by Chef Masato Imamura with a free imagination based on French cuisine techniques. It starts with an appetizer of "raw wakame seaweed shabu-shabu," followed by "an amuse bouche made with seafood from Shima" and "foie gras risotto made with mushrooms from Mie." Each dish, made with locally produced ingredients, is so delicious that it will leave you writhing in agony, leaving you speechless.

Next came the main course of "locally caught golden-eyed snapper" and "Matsusaka beef with black truffles," which graced the table. The deliciousness of the high-quality ingredients stimulated the senses, and the exquisite match with the fresh vegetables was also wonderful.

The highlight is the charcoal-grilled spiny lobster cooked over Shima Binchotan charcoal. Spiny lobsters are caught from October to April and are in season now. Half a lobster is served per person, weighing an average of about 350g, which is probably one of the largest I've ever encountered in my life. The sweetness of the lobster due to its freshness and the firm, plump texture are just amazing!

The Americana sauce and white wine butter sauce on top were also excellent, and I was impressed every time I mixed it in and took a bite. The rich miso was elegantly scooped up with a spoon.

The final dish was "Mozuku seaweed rice with Japanese broth." Who would have thought that we would be able to enjoy Japanese food at a famous French restaurant? This dish is not usually on the menu, but apparently they sometimes offer it on a whim that day. It was an unexpected surprise!

Finally, we had the dessert "Sakura Ice Cream and Gateau Opera" and said "Thank you for the meal." It was a very satisfying evening, with both our stomachs and our hearts filled with happiness. The parade of such luxurious delicacies gave us a melting feeling of "palate happiness" that is hard to put into words. It was worth coming all the way to Kashikojima. We couldn't help but feel grateful for the bountiful blessings of Kashikojima...!

A beautiful and elegant breakfast to foreshadow a happy day

The next morning, still basking in the afterglow of dinner, I was so excited about breakfast that I got up a little earlier than usual. After waking up my body in the open-air bath, I quickly headed to the dining room. Breakfast was not a set course, but instead the food was laid out all over the table. I was excited to decide which one to start with.

Guests can choose from freshly-produced local milk, Alain Millia tomato juice, or Hiramatsu's homemade orange juice. Bread imported directly from France is served with Echire butter, Kashikojima honey, and three types of Alain Millia jam.

The local vegetable salad with Matsusaka pork ham was simple yet impressive for its freshness. The spiny lobster bisque and eggs Benedict were also dishes that you would expect from a famous French restaurant. Thanks to the delicious breakfast, I felt like "Today will be another great day."

Special hospitality that only guests can experience

The great thing about Hiramatsu Kashikojima is that they provide the best "delicious" food according to the needs of their guests. For example, they change ingredients that guests dislike, change cooking methods for pregnant women, prepare baby food for small children... They try to create menus that are close to the guests' needs.

For this reason, it is rare for the exact same menu to be served at each table. This is the kind of service that can only be provided by limiting the number of groups to eight. I was touched by Chef Imamura's careful consideration, as he said, "I think of a story for the dish that suits the guest." This is the spirit of a famous restaurant.

I was also comforted by the warm personalities of the staff, including the proprietress Imamura Miho (Hiramatsu Kashikojima has a position called "proprietress"). Although their service as hotel staff is impeccable, they are all somehow friendly and easy to talk to. There is an exquisite balance between the luxurious atmosphere of the hotel and the homely considerations that gently touch your heart. This was a wonderful hotel that made me think, "I want to come back here again someday."

Relax in Hiramatsu Kashikojima, a treasure trove of delicious food

The sensation of "delicious food" is the driving force that invigorates the mind and body. The two days and one night I spent on Kashikojima, where I was able to enjoy the finest ingredients in the best possible form, was the best time I could have spent recharging my energy.

A trip to an auberge is a time to visit for the food and to fully enjoy it. Another great attraction of Hiramatsu Kashikojima is that you can forget about time and relax in the hot springs and spa amidst the abundant nature. It is a luxurious way for adults to spend time, monopolizing the bounty of the sea and a high-quality space. Why not visit as a reward for yourself? There, only eight groups per day can experience the ultimate relaxation time.

THE HIRAMATSU HOTEL & RESORTS Kashikojima