Nestled in the rich natural environment of Ise-Shima National ParkNEMU RESORTIt was the last night of our 3-night, 4-day trip. Chocolat, looking tired, crawled into her own bed and looked sleepy. After finishing dinner and cleaning up, we headed to the event held every night exclusively for hotel guests.Bonfire Cafe"is.
At the "Bonfire Cafe" set up on a hilltop, you can enjoy roasted marshmallows and drinks such as coffee free of charge while gathered around the flickering flames. This is a heartwarming hospitality unique to NEMU RESORT, designed for guests who have been active during the day to relax in the evening. (Opening hours: 20:00-22:00, last entry 21:45)
Reservations are not required for the "Bonfire Cafe," but dogs are not allowed, so Chocolat will be staying at the villa.
Located on a hilltop, it's also known for offering breathtaking views of the starry sky when the weather is clear.
I received a marshmallow on a stick from the staff member at the reception and headed to the front of the bonfire.
The night breeze and the crackling sound of burning wood create a pleasant atmosphere, marking the beginning of a relaxing time at this forest resort.
When you bring a marshmallow on a skewer close to the flame, the surface will gradually change color and begin to puff up, which is a sign that the inside is soft and gooey. You might be tempted to brown it nicely, but if you bring it too close to the flame in an attempt to burn it, the softened marshmallow may not be able to withstand its own weight and will fall off. I also got greedy and tried to roast it a little longer, but I almost dropped it and quickly pulled it back. Such small mishaps are also part of the fun memories of the trip.
If you listen carefully, the only sound that can be heard in the quiet night is the crackling of burning wood, creating a moment of peace and tranquility.
"Roasted marshmallows and coffee" (free service)
Along with the roasted marshmallows, we were even served a warm cup of coffee. The freshly roasted marshmallows had a wonderfully soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Taking a bite, the gentle sweetness filled my mouth, bringing a smile to my face.
There's something strangely calming about spending time gazing at the flames; it's a luxurious moment that's hard to experience in everyday life. I was able to forget about my busy daily life and simply surrender myself to the slowly flowing time.
Although we couldn't see the stars that night, a beautiful moon shone in the night sky, hidden behind the clouds like a hazy moon. The forest, illuminated by moonlight, was magical, showing a completely different face than during the day. Spending a moonlit night in the quiet natural surroundings also unfolds a special landscape unique to this place.
The "Bonfire Cafe" is held every night, but on days with bad weather, it will be held in the lobby lounge of the hotel's main building.
Every night from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the lounge opens as a self-service bar. You can enjoy local specialties such as Mie's local whiskey "Sunpeace Extra Gold," Kinko sweet potato shochu "Shishu Hayato," local barley shochu "Kounen," Hanzo plum wine, and Ise's craft gin "Isejin" for just 550 yen a glass.
One of the unique charms of this lounge is the time you can spend sipping a drink while listening to pleasant music from the records lined up in the building. And on rainy days, you can enjoy roasting marshmallows in this lounge, which is another delightful feature. It is designed so that you can enjoy the warm atmosphere of a bonfire cafe regardless of the weather. On sunny days, you can enjoy it under a sky full of stars, and on rainy days, in the lounge with soothing music playing. Being able to enjoy it in different ways depending on the weather is another unique hospitality of "NEMU RESORT". When we returned to the villa, Chocolat was waiting for us with sleepy eyes. "We'll go home tomorrow," I said, and she seemed relieved and went back to her bed. Soon she began to breathe softly in her sleep. We spent a peaceful last night, a mix of slight sadness as the trip neared its end and satisfaction from having spent such a fulfilling time.
NEMU RESORT
HOTEL NEMU
Address: 2692-3 Sakako, Hamajima-cho, Shima City, Mie Prefecture 517-0403
TEL: 0599-52-1211
https://www.nemuresort.com/
