Kai Tamatsukuri: A Design Hotel in Shimane’s Oldest Hot Spring Town
Healing spring water, magatama-inspired rooms and dancing Kagura legends after dark. We invite you to check in to Kai Tamatsukuri, a riverside ryokan that channels Shimane’s oldest hot spring straight to every in-room cypress tub. Signature suites pick up the curve of the region’s ancient ‘magatama’ beads, while wall art mirrors the Tamayu River outside.
After wrapping your bathing kit in a furoshiki, soak beneath a shrine-shaped onsen spout and settle in for an Iwami Kagura performance retelling the slaying of Yamata-no-Orochi. Shimane’s local seafood, sake and centuries-old rituals are all on the itinerary; just arrive ready to bathe and enjoy.
The Location
Nestled in the historic hot spring town of Tamatsukuri Onsen, KAI Tamatsukuri sits within one of Japan’s most storied regions. Shimane is known for its ties to Shinto mythology and cultural depth, it’s the birthplace of the gods, and a region where tradition feels palpably alive.
The ryokan itself is perched beside the Tamayu River, a stone’s throw from Tamasakuyu Shrine, where locals still visit to pray for good health. Guests can enjoy a quiet stroll along the riverbanks, shaded by trees and flanked by softly steaming footbaths, before returning to the property to soak in the same mineral-rich waters once documented in 8th-century texts.
Read more: A Slow Journey Through Shimane: Where Folklore and Crafts Meet Coastal Calm.
Who is it For?
KAI Tamatsukuri is for travellers seeking a restorative and culturally rooted escape, one that blends relaxation with storytelling. Ideal for couples, solo soakers, or design-minded visitors eager to slow down and connect with a quieter side of Japan, it appeals to those who value tradition, regional identity, and subtle elegance over spectacle.
Design & Culture
KAI’s signature rooms take inspiration from magatama, the ancient comma-shaped beads once crafted in the region and used as ceremonial objects. The architecture reflects these soft curves, while interior artwork mirrors the meandering flow of the Tamayu River just outside.
At night, gather for an Iwami Kagura performance; a dynamic retelling of the local legend of Yamata-no-Orochi, an eight-headed serpent vanquished by a cunning god. Costumes shimmer, drums resound, and the ryokan becomes a theatre of living folklore.
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Cuisine & Sake
Meals at KAI Tamatsukuri are seasonal, seafood-forward, and unmistakably local. Shimane’s coastal waters yield rosy seabass, clams, and snow crab, while mountain vegetables and pickled delicacies round out the table. Each course reflects the time of year and the story of the region.
Sake also plays a starring role. Shimane is believed to be the legendary birthplace of Japanese sake, and its deep roster of breweries is well represented here, either in your dining experience or through the nightly Sake Bar event, where guests can sample rare regional varieties and learn the lore behind each bottle.
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Sustainability
While tradition anchors the experience, KAI Tamatsukuri is committed to thoughtful modern hospitality. Emphasis is placed on local sourcing, low-impact design, and the education of guests around Japan’s bathing culture. Even small moments, from regional ceramics in the dining room to panels explaining the mechanisms of hot springs reinforce a sense of place and care.
Important Information
How to Get There
From Izumo Airport:
Take the airport limousine bus to JR Tamatsukuri Onsen Station (approx. 30 mins), then a short taxi to the hotel.
From Tokyo or Osaka:
Fly to Izumo Airport, or take the Shinkansen to Okayama Station, then the JR Yakumo Limited Express to Tamatsukuri Onsen Station (approx. 3 hours).
Address
1237 Tamayucho Tamatsukuri, Matsue, Shimane 699-0201, Japan
Check-in / Check-out
- Check-in: 15:00
- Check-out: 12:00
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. By purchasing via these links we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only promote hotels and experiences that we personally trust. Thank you.
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