About
Nature and You
About 80 km north of the Shimane Peninsula, a 3-4 hour ferry ride away, lies Ama Town (Nakanoshima Island), one of the Oki Islands. Entô, a place to stay, was established in 2021 in this area, which is designated as both part of Daisen-Oki National Park and the Oki UNESCO Global Geopark.
We proudly offer you the expansive beauty of the Earth, stretching out before your eyes. Entô serves as a hub for all Geopark activities—a place to stay within the Geopark and a connection point for locals and visitors alike. Here, you can choose your own adventure: daydream as you watch boats come and go, cycle around the island, take a late-night stroll and soak in the peaceful silence, admire the hotel’s exhibits or mingle with locals on the terrace.
Our hospitality is the untouched landscape of the Earth (Geo) that stretches out before you. Entô is not only a hub for the Geopark but also a place to stay within the Geopark, where locals and visitors come together.
You can spend your time leisurely watching the boats come and go, or you can be more active and cycle around the island. You might head out for a night walk to experience the stillness or take your time admiring the exhibits inside the hotel. You could also chat with the locals on the terrace. Every experience at Entô is connected to the Geo. Leave your heavy baggage behind and enjoy your time here, free to do as you please.
Basic Information
- Name
- Entô
- Address
- 375-1 Fukui, Ama Town, Oki-gun, Shimane
Google Map
- Tel
- +81-8514-2-1000
- Building Area
- Approximately 5666.21㎡
- Structure
(New Building) - Wooden construction / Using CLT (Cross Laminated Timber)
- Scale (New Building)
- 2 Stories, 1 Basement Level
- Rooms
- 18 rooms (New Building), 18 rooms (Main Building)
- Open for business
- July 2021
- Owned by
- Ama Inc.
- PM
- Lendlease Japan Inc.
- Advisor
- Yumiko Toeda（ANGO）
- Architecture by
- MOUNT FUJI ARCHITECTS STUDIO
- Design
- Nippon Design Center, Inc.
- Naming
- Norimitsu Korekata
(Nippon Design Center, Inc.)
- Photograph
- Kentauros Yasunaga
The Origin of the Name "Entô”
Entô is written in kanji as "遠島," which literally means "a distant island" or "an island far away," as well as "exile island."
The Oki Islands were historically designated as a place of exile. While the islands are remote, they are blessed with abundant fresh water, making it a land where people did not face hunger or danger despite their isolation. Because of this, figures such as Emperor Go-Toba, Emperor Go-Daigo, and the Heian-era poet Ono no Takamura were exiled to Oki. Among them, Emperor Go-Toba spent 19 years of his life in Ama Town, Oki, until his passing. During this time, he immersed himself in the magnificent nature of Oki and built strong bonds with the island’s people. As a remnant of this history, Oki Shrine, which enshrines Emperor Go-Toba, still stands today, and the islanders affectionately call him "Gotoban-san."
Far from the city, this island stands alone on Earth, with no convenience stores or movie theaters. Yet, because of this isolation, people can reconnect with their truest selves. Here, one can find new hope and begin a fresh story. In an era where flying anywhere is easy, we wish to share the value that "distance" brings with people across the world. Being a "distant island" is a source of pride for us. This is the meaning behind the name "Entô."
History
Entô has its roots in the National Inn "Ryokusui-en," which opened in 1971. In 1994, the inn was expanded and renamed "Marine Port Hotel Ama." The main building and the annex (Ryokusui-en) were used for accommodation, and with renovations to part of the main building and the reconstruction of the annex, a new building was created, and Entô was born.