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 while watching the starry sky full of local sweet potatoes.

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.

Mie Prefecture, especially hotels, 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 produced from it and the taste of the local area, and the culture that nurtures them, Mie Prefecture, especially the hotel. Grand Mercure Ise-shima Resort & Spa, an all-inclusive resort hotel that transmits the charm of "Matoya" (Location: Kasatori, Isobe-cho, Shima City, Mie Prefecture / General Manager: Ryuya Sakano) will start an autumn and winter limited project to experience the unique charm of this area.

Project background

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 nurtures. 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, to more people. "The Matoya Village" is the name of the area centered on the poolside, and at the same time, it is also the name that refers to the approach itself to collaborate with local producers and the people who work there, as well as to communicate the appeal of the area in Ichiya, Shima City, Mie Prefecture.

Utilizing the open space called "The Matoya Village", as a collaborative 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
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 room per 2 person, including tax and surcharge)
※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．Starry sky observation, watching the starry sky falling while listening to the commentary of the astronomers

You can participate in the starry sky observation with a local astronomer with 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 the extraordinary moment of watching the sparkling stars in the night sky of Matoya, where there is little artificial light.

2.　Taste the deliciousness of Hokuhoku baked in charcoal fire, experience grilled sweet potato

In this project, we will provide grilled sweet potatoes using sweet potatoes and Beniharuka, which has been engaged in agriculture since 1959 in Ise City, with great care. 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 has been consumed as a producer's own consumption 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 that incorporates the thoughts of food loss measures for local ingredients that do not change the 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-standards.

We provide baked sweet potatoes warmed by a bonfire as caramelize (*1) in front of the customer. The sweetness of sweet potatoes is added to the bittersweet aroma created by melting granulated sugar with a burner, and you can enjoy a slightly different baked sweet potato. In addition, we will prepare toppings with bean 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 the sweetness of sweet potatoes and the bittersweet 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 makes it easy to get acquainted with the charms of Shima City and Matoya.

This hotel is located a short distance away from popular tourist destinations such as Ise Grand Shrine and Toba Aquarium. The major tourist center is "Omoya", and the place that is one step ahead of that, where the culture of the unknown land remains deeply, is positioned as "Hanare", and based on our hotel, we recommend "#Hanare Journey", where you can touch the new charm unique to the land. We have introduced a car sharing service "TOYOTA SHARE" with the aim of improving the convenience of visitors who come by public transportation to easily visit sightseeing spots when they come to mind. If you download the app, you can make a reservation from your smartphone 24 hours a day. In addition, it is attractive that it costs less than renting a car for a whole day because it is charged in units of 15 minutes. By combining public transportation and car sharing services well, you can enjoy a safe, secure and efficient trip to Mie Prefecture and Matoya.

"Aomineyama Shofukuji" is a vast temple 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 phoenix and dragons on the entrance Daimon are worth a look, and you can enjoy the superb view overlooking the hill.

: You can make a reservation easily from your smartphone

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

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