Grand Mercure Ise-Shima Resort & Spa is an all-inclusive resort hotel in Shima, Mie Prefecture, set within Ise-Shima National Park on a hill overlooking the ria coast. Since Friday, November 6, 2026, the on-site restaurant Bettei Matoya (別亭まとや) has served an "Oyster Feast Plan" (牡蠣づくしプラン). It features Matoya oysters (的矢かき), the first product certified under the Mie Brand (三重ブランド) (Sato Yoshokujo, 有限会社佐藤養殖場), prepared in a variety of dishes, including a three-way raw oyster tasting, charcoal-grilled oysters, gratin, and miso hot pot.
Some dishes in the regular kaiseki plan have also been refreshed, and the pairing plan that matches dishes with local Mie sake continues to be offered. The restaurant presents Matoya oysters, raised with the producer's skill and care, alongside the food culture of Ise-Shima.
Giving Back the Bounty of Matoya Oysters: Sustainability Efforts by the Producer and the Hotel
Sato Yoshokujo (佐藤養殖場), which operates Bettei Matoya, has farmed oysters in Matoya Bay in Shima, Mie, for more than 100 years since its founding. Using the aquaculture techniques and quality control built up over those years, it continues to raise the Mie Brand Matoya oysters.
The oyster shells left after the oysters are served are used as fertilizer and soil conditioner, part of a resource cycle linked with agriculture. The producer also brews the sake "Matoya Meguri" (的矢廻) from sake rice grown with the help of oyster shells, turning the sea's bounty into new value for the region.
Grand Mercure Ise-Shima Resort & Spa has also obtained Green Globe, an international sustainability certification, and promotes environmentally considerate hotel operations. In step with the producer's approach of working with the local environment and putting its bounty to use, the hotel aims to share the appeal of Ise-Shima's nature and culture through food and to help build a sustainable future for the area.
Oyster shells are put to good use as fertilizer and soil conditioner.
Original sake brewed from sake rice grown with oyster shells.
The hotel has obtained Green Globe certification.
From Raw Oysters to Charcoal Grilling and Hot Pot: The "Oyster Feast Plan"
Matoya oysters, which carry the Mie Brand certification, are raised in Matoya Bay in Shima, Mie, and are in season from autumn to spring. Raised with care by the producer, they are known for a harmonious balance of sweetness and umami and a smooth, creamy texture. To let diners enjoy this season's oysters fully, the menu offers dishes prepared in various ways, including a raw oyster tasting, charcoal grilling, gratin, and miso hot pot, so that each plate shows a different side of Matoya oysters.
Appetizers: Seven-Item Assortment
Seven appetizers show the many sides of oysters.
- Oyster kombu-jime (かき昆布締め): oysters cured in kelp to concentrate their umami
- Matoya oyster namero (的矢かきのなめろう): scented with condiments and house-made miso
- Matoya oyster nanban-zuke (的矢かきの南蛮漬け): marinated, with a refreshing tang
- Matoya oyster sweet-sauce karaage (的矢かきの甘たれ唐揚げ): fried, with a sweet original sauce that brings out the flavor
A sashimi trio of local Ise tuna, Ise red sea bream, and turban shell (sazae) is served alongside.
Raw Dish: Matoya Oyster Three-Way Tasting
Raw Matoya oysters from Matoya Bay are served in three ways: plain, to enjoy the natural flavor of the oyster; salad-style; and with lemon. The dish lets diners compare the refreshing sweetness and creamy umami of the oysters.
Charcoal-Grilled Oysters and Grilled Dishes: Matoya Oyster Gratin and Matoya Oyster Grill
Fresh Matoya oysters are grilled over charcoal. Heat concentrates the umami and leaves the meat plump, and the oysters are enjoyed with the distinctive smoky aroma of charcoal.
The grilled dishes come in two Western-style versions: a gratin that pairs rich white sauce with the umami of oysters, and a grill finished with herbs and a special sauce.
Signature Dish: Matoya Oyster Miso Hot Pot
A small hot pot in which broth made from Matoya oysters meets a special miso. The oysters keep their plump texture and rich flavor, and the depth of the miso blends with their taste.
Hearty Dish: Matoya Oysters in a Sauce Over Crisp Scorched Rice
Crisp-toasted okoge (scorched rice) is topped with a special sauce (餡) made from plump simmered Matoya oysters and dashi. The dish combines the texture of the okoge with the hot sauce in which the oyster umami has melted.
Fried Dish: Matoya Oyster Koiki-age
This is Bettei Matoya's special tempura, with a coating made from aosa seaweed, a specialty of Ise-Shima. The crisp batter carries the rich aroma of the sea, and the dish brings out the strong umami of Matoya oysters. It is served with salt so that the natural flavor of the ingredients can be enjoyed simply.
Meal: White Rice and Matoya Oyster Tsukudani
Freshly cooked rice is served with the restaurant's Matoya oyster tsukudani. The rich tsukudani is slowly simmered to lock in its umami and goes very well with rice.
Other Dishes
- Soup (Ise red sea bream clear soup): A refined clear soup made with a broth carefully prepared from Ise red sea bream bones and scraps. The fine fat of the sea bream and the gentle broth spread through the mouth, making it a fitting close to the course.
- Pickles (seasonal pickles): Seasonal pickles that serve as a palate cleanser and complement the meal.
- Sweets (seasonal dessert): A seasonal dessert at the end of the meal.
Bettei Matoya Oyster Feast Stay Plan Details
- Period: Friday, November 6, 2026 to early May 2027 (planned). The plan ends depending on the supply of Matoya oysters.
- Hours: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM (last order 9:30 PM)
- Location: Bettei Matoya, on the grounds of Grand Mercure Ise-Shima Resort & Spa
- Price: From ¥28,415 for one night, all-inclusive, per person when two guests share a room (tax and service charge included)
- Notes: The origin and content of ingredients may change depending on the season and supply.
- Plan page: https://grand-mercure-iseshima-resortandspa.jp/plan/matoya-oyster-course/
About Grand Mercure Ise-Shima Resort & Spa
Matoya Bay can be seen from the guest rooms.
The restaurant has a refined atmosphere.
Guests can spend relaxed time in the open-air bath.
This all-inclusive resort hotel is surrounded by the nature of Ise-Shima National Park. It stands near Ise Jingu, long known affectionately as "Oise-san," in a setting of beautiful ria coastline, with a wide panorama over Matoya Bay and Izonoura (伊雑ノ浦).
In addition to dinner and breakfast buffets that make use of Mie ingredients and Matsusaka beef, the hotel has the kaiseki restaurant Bettei Matoya, where guests can enjoy genshi-yaki (原始焼き) as well as fresh Mie ingredients such as Matoya oysters. Other facilities include Matoya no Mori (的矢の杜), a wood-education kids' room that families with children can enjoy, and The Matoya Village, an experience field for enjoying the four seasons, as well as open-air hot spring baths, a sauna with löyly, and a lounge.
- Address: 939-6 Kasatori, Matoya, Isobe-cho, Shima City, Mie Prefecture 517-0204
- Phone: 03-6627-4731 (Reservation Center)
- Price: From ¥24,000 for one night, all-inclusive, per person when two guests share a room (tax and service charge included)
- Access: About 15 minutes by car from Kintetsu Ugata Station. A free shuttle bus runs between Ugata Station and the hotel.
- Official website: https://grand-mercure-iseshima-resortandspa.jp
Information is as of November 9, 2026. All photos are for illustration purposes only.
