Hoshino Resorts KAI Tamatsukuri: A Special Stay in the Land of Creation Myths

Izumo - The Land Where the Deities Gather

Photo by Pixta

Izumo, present-day Shimane, is the setting for Japan's creation myths as told in the Kojiki ("Chronicles of Times Past"). Home to Izumo Taisha, one of Japan's great shrines where it is said that all the deities gather once a year in November, Izumo is also known as "enmusubi no chi," a place where visitors receive blessings in relationships and work.

Hoshino Resorts KAI Tamatsukuri, located in Tamatsukuri Onsen, one of the oldest hot spring towns in Japan, is an accommodation facility where guests enjoy a dreamlike stay surrounded by the ancient myths of Japan.

Hoshino Resorts KAI Tamatsukuri Official Website

Welcome to a Mythical Realm! The Concept of Hoshino Resorts KAI Tamatsukuri

From the moment you step into Hoshino Resorts KAI Tamatsukuri, you'll feel that it is going to be a very special stay. The lobby has a display inspired by Japan's creation myths with a rock tied with a shimenawa rope. This type of rope, usually encountered at Shinto shrines, marks a sacred place.

An arched crimson bridge stretching over a beautiful pond connects the lobby to the guest rooms.

After you arrive, stop for a few minutes at the tea room Ameian by the pond. A professional tea master prepares tea for the guests every day from 15:30.

The tea bowls are decorated with images of Izumo Taisha, the great shrine where all the deities in Japan gather to decide what blessings to bestow upon the people. Before you know it, you've already stepped into the realm of Japanese myths.

At KAI Tamatsukuri, all the interior decorations, the activities, and the cuisine tell the story of Izumo, an area that is deeply connected to Japan's creation myths.

Learn about Japan's Creation Myths through Exciting Activities

KAI Tamatsukuri is located in the region said to be the place where the first deities created the Japanese archipelago. During your stay at this unique ryokan, you can learn about these myths through the many entertaining activities available.

Start at the Travel Library, a lounge with several books about Shimane and Japanese myths. You can browse any book at leisure while sipping on complimentary tea and coffee.

In the evening, from 20:30, you can enjoy a picture story show performed by the staff. The story of how the islands of Japan were created by the gods is told with the help of beautiful pictures, which makes it very entertaining and easy to understand.

Afterward, from 21:15, watch a performance of Iwami Kagura in the lobby. Kagura is a type of traditional theater usually performed at shrine festivals.

The staff performs one of the most fascinating episodes from Japan's creation myths: the part where the god Susanoo defeats the great serpent Yamata no Orochi that kept devouring local maidens. The god fooled the serpent into drinking a barrel of very strong sake and then beheaded it, thus saving his beloved princess and bringing peace to the world.

At the end of the performance, you can take pictures with the cast in their beautiful Kagura costumes.

Before going to bed, drop by the Nihonshu Bar, where you can taste 36 types of sake made in Shimane--even the one that is said to have knocked down the great mythological serpent! Shimane is famous for the quality of its sake from ancient times.

Find out more about the activities available at KAI Tamatsukuri on the official website.

Rest in a Beautiful Japanese Room

Picture courtesy of Hoshino Resorts
The guests at KAI Tamatsukuri stay in beautifully crafted Japanese rooms with private hot spring baths. The rooms have an alcove decorated with precious artworks reflecting the seasons.

You'll be sleeping in comfortable futon bedding, which the staff spreads out on the floor while you're enjoying dinner.

The complimentary sweets available in the room are delicious magatama-shaped wagashi. Magatama, a powerful talisman, is one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, along with the Mirror and the Sword. Tamatsukuri Onsen, where KAI Tamatsukuri is located, is renowned for the ancient local craft of making magatama jewels.

Learn more about the various types of rooms at KAI Tamatsukuri on their official website.

Delightful Cuisine! Enjoy Shimane Specialties

The cuisine at KAI Tamatsukuri is one of the highlights of the facility. Shimane is a mountainous region by the sea, therefore the local food specialties combine the bounty of the sea and the mountains.

The main dish is a gorgeous set that includes delicious sashimi, sushi, grilled salmon, roasted chestnuts, and pickles, beautifully ornamented with a seasonal flower. Every bite is heavenly!

The main dish is preceded by a series of smaller dishes: smoked fish, tempura, and a savory steamed egg custard with crab and seasonal ingredients. The dessert, also inspired by local culture, is made with sake lees, cheese mousse, and vanilla ice cream--a really refreshing, fantastic combination!

Picture courtesy of Hoshino Resorts

The highlight of the winter menu is Matsuba crab, a local specialty of Shimane. You'll be amazed at the rich flavor of Shimane crab, which tastes best during the cold season.

Visit the official KAI Tamatsukuri website for details on cuisine.

Relax in Divine Hot Springs

Picture courtesy of Hoshino Resorts
Being located in Tamatsukuri Onsen, one of Japan's ancient hot springs resorts, KAI Tamatsukuri boasts excellent onsen baths. The local hot spring water is said to have beneficial effects on the skin.

At KAI Tamatsukuri, beautifying skin treatments made with sake lees, which is considered very effective skincare, are available in the guestrooms, depending on the season and accommodation plan. These treatments can be used by guests in their rooms when bathing in the private open-air bath to further enhance the effects of the hot springs.

The hot spring baths make full use of the local natural environment to create a space of deep relaxation. The small shrine in the center of the bath reminds the guests that they find themselves in the land of Japan's original deities.

Learn more about the hot springs at KAI Tamatsukuri by visiting their official website.

Enjoy a Wonderful Stay at KAI Tamatsukuri

Picture courtesy of Hoshino Resorts

Every moment spent at KAI Tamatsukuri is a special experience that makes you aware of the fascinating culture you're visiting, especially of the beautiful stories that shaped the locals' imagination. At the end of your stay, you'll feel enriched at heart just as you would feel after a fabulous journey into a mythical land inhabited by powerful deities.

Remember that you can easily travel from here to other great places in Shimane such as Izumo Taisha, the beautiful Matsue Castle, or the highly appraised Adachi Museum of Art. KAI Tamatsukuri is the ideal base for exploring Shimane, Tottori, and Hiroshima!

Hoshino Resorts KAI Tamatsukuri official website: https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/kaitamatsukuri/

Check room availability on the Hoshino Resorts Booking Page

Kai Tamatsukuri (former: Kai Izumo)

1237 Tamatsukuri, Tamayucho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture 699-0201

Main image courtesy of Hoshino Resorts
Written by Ramona Taranu
Sponsored by Hoshino Resorts