Visited April 2026
Some hotels are beautiful. A few are historic. The Shima Kanko Hotel in Kashikojima is both — and has been for 75 years.
Born from Postwar Japan, Built to Welcome the World
Ago Bay is a classic example of a ria coastline, known for its deeply indented shoreline and countless small islands.
When this hotel opened on April 3, 1951, it was Japan’s first full Western-style resort — built to receive the foreign pearl buyers who were already arriving in Kashikojima, and the international visitors that a newly designated national park would attrac
The architect was Murano Togo, one of Japan’s great 20th-century masters. Materials were scarce in postwar Japan, so he did something remarkable: he incorporated pillars and beams salvaged from a former naval facility in Suzuka. Those beams are still visible today in the original building’s bar lounge. They are older than the hotel itself.
An Emperor’s First Visit — Six Months After Opening
In November 1951, Emperor Showa visited the hotel on a postwar regional tour. The view of Ago Bay from the hilltop moved him enough to compose a poem. A stone monument bearing those verses still stands quietly in the garden, half-shaded by azaleas. Most guests walk past it without noticing.
Three Buildings. Three Eras. One View.
The hotel now comprises three buildings, each from a different era — and each thoroughly updated for today’s guests.
The Club (1951) carries history in its bones — original beams, the garden monument, the bar lounge Lien — but the interiors have been refreshed over the decades. The atmosphere is warm and contemporary, not museum-like.
The Classic (1969) was renovated significantly ahead of the 2016 G7 Ise-Shima Summit. The Ambassador Suite was created during this period, and the guest rooms now feel polished and quietly luxurious.
The Bay Suite (2008) is the newest building, and the closest to the water. All rooms are suites, spacious and fully modern.
Note: Ikyu lists both The Classic and Bay Suites under the same hotel page.
The restaurant is intimate — small enough that conversation with the staff comes naturally. Chef Higuchi’s French menu follows the seasons.
Why History Changes How You See This Place
Knowing that those beams came from a wartime naval base. That an emperor stood in this garden and wrote a poem. That this hilltop was chosen specifically so guests could face Ago Bay.
None of it is obvious when you arrive. But once you know, you see it everywhere.
The Shima Kanko Hotel turns 75 in 2026. It has earned every year.
Ready to stay? The Bay Suite and The Classic both offer direct views of Ago Bay.
Have a nice trip! (^^)/
Check Availability for The Classic
Explore Bay Suites Availability
This article is based on personal experience and photos, with some AI assistance to improve readability.
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