Facing the Matsuba crab alone in Izumo. A dialogue with the gods. A moment of bliss | TRAVEL
TRAVEL | HOSHINO RESORTS Tamatsukuri
To Know is to Savor: Tamatsukuri Edition (Part 2)
Tamatsukuri's hot springs complementing the crab. Shimane's sake. And into the world of myths
Now, let me also introduce you to the onsen ryokan "KAI Tamatsukuri" as a whole.
The open-air hot spring bath in the guest room. All 24 rooms are equipped with such an outdoor and indoor bath. The indigo-dyed ceiling is also an original design of KAI Tamatsukuri.
First, I want to share that all 24 guest rooms are equipped with an open-air hot spring bath! I remembered my foodie friend saying, "One must purify oneself before eating crab," and I decided to follow suit (laughs). Tamatsukuri Onsen is one of Japan's oldest hot springs, described as the "divine spring" in the "Izumo Fudoki," compiled about 1300 years ago. There's no better water to purify oneself before facing a crab!
Tamatsukuri Onsen is known for its skin-beautifying properties. It's characterized by the presence of salt; the alkaline water cleanses the skin and adds moisture, while the salt acts as a veil to lock in that moisture, providing a moisturizing effect. The water quality is Sodium, Calcium - Sulfate, Chloride spring.
Tamatsukuri Onsen is known for its skin-beautifying properties. It's characterized by the presence of salt; the alkaline water cleanses the skin and adds moisture, while the salt acts as a veil to lock in that moisture, providing a moisturizing effect. The water quality is Sodium, Calcium - Sulfate, Chloride spring.
Tamatsukuri Onsen is known for its skin-beautifying properties. It's characterized by the presence of salt; the alkaline water cleanses the skin and adds moisture, while the salt acts as a veil to lock in that moisture, providing a moisturizing effect. The water quality is Sodium, Calcium - Sulfate, Chloride spring.
Speaking of baths, the large public bath, where hot spring water flows abundantly, is also quite mystical. It features an open-air bath with a superb sense of openness, so be sure to visit it in addition to your in-room bath! At the post-bath lounge, you can enjoy ice pops from Daisen Dairy.
A set of three types of local sake with snacks for 1000 yen is a great value!!! For example, the "Mythology Set" recommended by Ms. Suzuki includes "Yachimochi," "Yamata no Orochi," and "Amenomurakumo," which are sacred sakes from Izumo Taisha Shrine. It features Daiginjo, Junmai, and Junmai.
The sake bar only serves Shimane sake, so please be aware (laughs). Please enjoy to your heart's content.
And, we mustn't forget! KAI Tamatsukuri boasts a "Sake BAR" in a Japanese-style room, offering a curated selection of Shimane's finest sake! Currently, due to the pandemic, instead of drinking at the bar, guests enjoy their drinks in their rooms. However, the rows of sake barrels at the entrance and the giant Yamata no Orochi serpent are quite impressive. "Oh no, I don't know anything about Shimane sake! What should I drink?" Don't worry. There are many recommended sets curated by staff member Ms. Suzuki.
Gotouchi Gaku (Local Performance). "Iwami Kagura" is particularly dynamic and theatrical. Susanoo-no-Mikoto rescues Kushinada-hime, who has been captured by an eight-headed serpent. Susanoo-no-Mikoto then intoxicates the serpent with sake and defeats it.
And don't miss the "Gotouchi Gaku," which is a hallmark of KAI. At each KAI ryokan across Japan, free experiential programs are offered to introduce guests to the region's traditional crafts, culture, and performing arts. At "KAI Izumo," Kagura, a performance dedicated to the gods during Shinto rituals, is presented on a stage built in the lobby. The performance is "Orochi," based on the legend of Yamata no Orochi, which is also a myth related to the land of Izumo. All performers are KAI staff members, and it's incredibly powerful. As a fellow sake lover, I sympathized with Yamata no Orochi, who was intoxicated and defeated by Susanoo-no-Mikoto with sake, but I was also deeply impressed by the staff's versatility.
Izumo Taisha Shrine. Dedicated to Okuninushi-no-Okami, the god of nation-building. The main destination for shrine visits in Izumo. Approximately 60 minutes by car from KAI Tamatsukuri.
Izumo Taisha Shrine. Dedicated to Okuninushi-no-Okami, the god of nation-building. The main destination for shrine visits in Izumo. Approximately 60 minutes by car from KAI Tamatsukuri.
Miho Shrine. It is said to be auspicious to visit this shrine along with Izumo Taisha Shrine (a "double visit"). Miho Shrine enshrines the wife and children of Okuninushi-no-Okami. In particular, his child is known as Ebisu-sama, the god of good fortune and prosperity.
Miho Shrine. It is said to be auspicious to visit this shrine along with Izumo Taisha Shrine (a "double visit"). Miho Shrine enshrines the wife and children of Okuninushi-no-Okami. In particular, his child is known as Ebisu-sama, the god of good fortune and prosperity.
Miho Shrine. It is said to be auspicious to visit this shrine along with Izumo Taisha Shrine (a "double visit"). Miho Shrine enshrines the wife and children of Okuninushi-no-Okami. In particular, his child is known as Ebisu-sama, the god of good fortune and prosperity.
Miho Shrine. It is said to be auspicious to visit this shrine along with Izumo Taisha Shrine (a "double visit"). Miho Shrine enshrines the wife and children of Okuninushi-no-Okami. In particular, his child is known as Ebisu-sama, the god of good fortune and prosperity.
Susa Shrine. This shrine enshrines Susanoo-no-Mikoto, an important figure in the legend of Yamata no Orochi. Okuninushi-no-Okami is said to be the sixth-generation descendant of Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
Kaname Shrine. This is truly the ultimate experience. After climbing stone steps like a mountain hike, you pass through a crevice in a rock to reach this mystical power spot. However, if you plan to visit, please come well-prepared.
Kaname Shrine. This is truly the ultimate experience. After climbing stone steps like a mountain hike, you pass through a crevice in a rock to reach this mystical power spot. However, if you plan to visit, please come well-prepared.
Kaname Shrine. This is truly the ultimate experience. After climbing stone steps like a mountain hike, you pass through a crevice in a rock to reach this mystical power spot. However, if you plan to visit, please come well-prepared.
And, of course, during the day, there's shrine hopping. Starting from "KAI Tamatsukuri," it's about a 60-minute drive to Izumo Taisha Shrine. There are many other shrines worth visiting. After all, this is the land of the gods. Let's seriously try visiting them, perhaps just once in our lives, to seek divine favor.
The one night and two days spent devouring crab, briefly becoming a god, and being healed by the beautiful skin hot springs passed by in an instant. As I reluctantly left the inn, I noticed something... Could the trees lining the road ahead be...?
"Yes, there's a cherry blossom-lined path stretching about 2km along the Tamayu River, which flows in front of the inn," said Ms. Suzuki. "No way!" I immediately resolved to revisit during cherry blossom season. "Isn't that too soon?"
KAI Tamatsukuri
Address | 1237 Tamatsukuri, Tamayu-cho, Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture
Access | Approx. 5 minutes by car from JR Tamatsukuri Onsen Station, approx. 40 minutes by car from Izumo Airport
Number of Rooms | 24 (Check-in 15:00, Check-out 12:00)
Rates | From 41,000 yen per night (per person, based on double occupancy, includes service charge, consumption tax, and bathing tax)
