2025.10.02

[Grand Mercure Ise-shima Resort & Spa] Experience of "this land-likeness" transmitted from Ichiya, Shima City, Mie Prefecture. Enjoy the long autumn night when you eat local sweet potatoes while watching the starry sky.

An autumn night where you can observe the starry sky with commentary by an astronomer and enjoy roasted potatoes using local sweet potatoes. It will start for a limited time from November 1st.

Based on the concept of "terroir", which means the natural environment such as the terrain, climate, and soil unique to the area, the seasonal ingredients and the taste of the local area, and the culture that nurtures them, Mie Prefecture, especially the hotel, is located. Grand Mercure Ise-shima Resort & Spa, an all-inclusive resort hotel (Location: Kasatori, Isobe-cho, Shima City, Mie Prefecture / General Manager: Ryuya Sakano) will start a limited autumn and winter project to experience the unique charm of this area.

Background of the project

Speaking of Mie Prefecture, the first thing many people think of is "Ise Grand Shrine". It is a sacred place that has been worshiped as `` visit Ise once in a lifetime '' since ancient times, but Mie Prefecture is not yet known, such as the magnificent nature that you want to actually touch and the rich ingredients that the nature grows. It is also a land full of charm. In the summer of 2025, the hotel opened The Matoya Village on the hotel premises to deliver the charm of Mie Prefecture, not only Ise Grand Shrine but also Mie Prefecture to more people. "The Matoya Village" is the name of the area centered on the poolside, and at the same time, it communicates the charm of the land of Shima City, Mie Prefecture, where the hotel is located, and it also refers to the efforts itself to collaborate with local producers and the people working there.

Utilizing the open space called "The Matoya Village", as a collaboration project with local people, we will send out the charm of the autumn and winter season unique to this area through "starry sky observation" and "yakiimo experience".

Overview

Period: Every Saturday from November 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026
Date of exclusion: December 27, 2025, January 3, 2026
Opening time: 20:00～21:00
Location: The Matoya Village (the poolside area on the hotel premises)
Price: Included in all-inclusive 1 night from 24,000 yen per night (including tax and surcharge per room for 2 people)
※Limited to guests
※It may be canceled without notice depending on the weather.
Details: https://grand-mercure-iseshima-resortandspa.jp/plan/matoyavillage-autumn-winter/

１．Watching the starry sky falling while listening to the commentary of the astronomers, starry sky observation

You can participate in the starry sky observation with a local astronomer with an all-inclusive (no additional charge). I learned about the constellations of autumn and winter with a professional commentary, and also prepared time to actually see the rings of Jupiter and Saturn with a full-fledged telescope. In the clear air, you can enjoy an extraordinary time overlooking the sparkling stars in the night sky of Matoya, where there is little artificial light.

2.　Enjoy the delicious taste of Hokuhoku baked on charcoal fire, grilled sweet potato experience

In this project, we will provide grilled sweet potatoes using sweet potatoes and Beniharuka, which has been engaged in agriculture in Ise City since 1959. We use so-called "non-standard products" that do not conform to the standards set by the market due to the uneven shape, size, and color. In the past, it is consumed as a source of self-consumption by producers and as a division to the neighborhood, but we focused on the fact that if the amount is large, it will be unavoidable to dispose of it. Although the appearance is not uniform, it is also a project with thoughts on food loss measures for local ingredients that do not change in taste.

: Mrs. and Mrs. Noguchi of "Noguchi Orchard" that grows sweet potatoes to be used this time

: Sweet potatoes are carefully harvested one by one in a vast field. The aim of this project is to reduce food loss due to non-standard standards.

We provide baked potatoes warmed by bonfire as caramelize (*1) in front of the customer. The sweet sweetness of sweet potatoes is added to the bittersweet flavor created by melting granulated sugar with a burner, and you can enjoy a slightly different grilled sweet potato. In addition, we will prepare toppings of an butter and aosa salt, so you can enjoy the deliciousness of Hokuhoku while changing the taste.

: The taste of baked sweet potatoes that are eaten around the burning flames is exceptional.

: The collaboration between sweet potato sweetness and bitterness born in caramelise is satisfying for ADULTS

How to apply: On the day of your stay, apply from the QR code prepared at the front desk (advance reservation required)
Maximum number of participants: Up to 20 people
*1：https://gourmet-note.jp/posts/11668

3.　TOYOTA SHARE, a car sharing service that allows you to easily get acquainted with the charms of Shima City and Matoya.

This hotel is located a little away from sightseeing spots known to many people, such as Ise Grand Shrine and Toba Aquarium. A major tourist center is called "Omoya", and a place that is one step ahead of that, where the culture of the lesser-known land remains strongly, is positioned as "Hanare", and based on our hotel, we recommend "#Hanare Journey" that touches the new charm unique to the land. We have introduced TOYOTA SHARE, a car sharing service, with the aim of improving the convenience of visitors who come by public transportation, to visit sightseeing spots easily when they come to their minds. If you download the app, you can make a reservation from your smartphone 24 hours a day. In addition, because it is charged in units of 15 minutes, it is attractive that there is less cost burden than renting a car a whole day. Combining public transportation and car sharing services well, you can enjoy a safe, secure and efficient trip to Mie and Matoya.

"Aomineyama Shofukuji" is a vast temple located on the summit of Ao Mineyama, which is 336 meters above sea level, recommended by Shima City staff to visit with a car share. The magnificent sculptures such as the phoenix and dragon on the Daimon at the entrance are worth a visit, and you can enjoy the superb view overlooking from a hill.

: You can make a reservation easily from your smartphone

: Staff recommended "Ao Mineyama Shofukuji" is about 30 minutes by car from the hotel Photos: Ise-Shima Sightseeing Navi

https://grand-mercure-iseshima-resortandspa.jp/facilities/