La Mer

La Mer, Shima, A Closer Look

La Mer operates on the fifth floor of Shima Kanko Hotel The Bay Suites, with an ocean view that makes the setting directly relevant to the experience rather than incidental. The kitchen's emphasis is firmly on fish and seafood, the venue flags this explicitly, which aligns well with Mie's position as one of Japan's primary seafood prefectures, known for Ise lobster (ise-ebi) and pearl oysters. A sommelier is on hand and the wine program is a deliberate focus, making this a reasonable choice if wine pairing matters to your group.

Pricing sits at JPY 20,000 to JPY 29,999 per head at the listed rate, though review-based spend data suggests many diners land closer to JPY 50,000 to JPY 59,999 once wine is included. Budget accordingly, especially if you plan to explore the wine list in depth. A 10% service charge applies on top of food and drink. For context, this positions La Mer at the upper end of what Mie's dining scene offers, comparable in price to Edo Machi Sugimoto in the sushi category but in a notably different format. If you are coming from outside the region, it is worth noting that HAJIME in Osaka and Gion Sasaki in Kyoto operate at similar or higher price points with Michelin recognition, but La Mer's seafood-forward French approach in this coastal location is not something those city restaurants replicate.

The dress code at dinner is smart casual, no T-shirts, shorts, ripped jeans, or beach sandals. This is worth noting if you are arriving from a day of outdoor activity in Shima. The room seats 88 guests (currently at reduced capacity), which means this is not an intimate counter experience. Private rooms are unavailable, the venue cannot be booked for exclusive private use. For a smaller, quieter dinner, that is worth weighing. Children of elementary school age and above are welcome with a kids menu available, which makes this viable for family trips, though the price point and dress code suggest it works well for adults.

The La Mer The Classic restaurant at the adjacent Shima Kanko Hotel The Classic (ground floor) operates the same dinner hours but also serves lunch (11:30 to 14:00, last order 13:30), with lunch prices in the JPY 10,000 to JPY 14,999 range. If the dinner price is a stretch, a lunch visit to The Classic is a practical way to access the same kitchen at roughly half the cost. Review-based spend at The Classic dinner tracks at JPY 30,000 to JPY 39,999, somewhat lower than The Bay Suites venue. Both properties share the same phone number (+81-599-43-1211) and allergy protocol.

Allergy requests must be submitted by reservation at least five days before your visit, same-day declarations may result in delays or inability to accommodate. The hotel can handle up to 28 designated allergen categories, but the kitchen is shared and trace contamination is possible. This is clearly communicated and worth reading if allergies are relevant to your group.

Getting here: the venue is a five-minute walk or two-minute shuttle bus ride from Kashikojima Station on the Kintetsu Limited Express line. Free parking is available on site for those driving. The Kintetsu Limited Express from Nagoya takes roughly two hours; from Osaka Namba, around two hours fifteen minutes. This is remote by Japanese dining standards, the journey is part of the commitment. For food and travel enthusiasts building a western Japan itinerary, La Mer pairs naturally with a broader Mie exploration, see our full Mie restaurants guide for context, or browse our Mie hotels guide, bars guide, and experiences guide to build out your stay.