Tateshina Highland has long been known as a hot spring area in Nagano Prefecture. Located about 10 kilometers north of the hotel, Mount Tateshina is situated at the northernmost part of the Yatsugatake volcanic range, which consists of around 20 peaks. While there are no confirmed historical records of eruptions in the Yatsugatake area, it is believed that volcanic activity, including lava flows, occurred approximately 600-800 years ago. Although it is not currently monitored as an active volcano, the hot springs in the Tateshina and Yatsugatake regions are products of volcanic activity, with many featuring acidic or sulfuric waters. Due to the volcanic nature of these springs, they are often milky white in colour and have a distinctive sulfuric scent.
The Tateshina Highlands area is dotted with hot spring resorts such as Taki no yu Onsen, Tateshina Mimuro Onsen, and Oyado Onsen. Many of these facilities offer open-air baths where you can soak while enjoying views of the surrounding mountains. In this serene environment, visitors can relax both body and mind while fully immersing themselves in nature and the rejuvenating properties of the hot springs.
In this article, we introduce hot springs within walking distance of Hotel de L’Alpage that can be enjoyed as day trips. Given the harsh cold of Tateshina’s winter, soaking in a hot spring is one of the most delightful ways to enjoy your trip. The “snow-viewing bath” experience on snowy days is a unique winter treat that will surely leave you with wonderful travel memories. If you’re visiting Tateshina in winter, be sure to indulge in its renowned hot springs.
Kosai no Yu
About a 5-minute walk from the hotel is Kosai no Yu, a hot spring facility offering not only indoor baths but also three open-air baths: Unkai no Yu (Sea of Clouds Bath), Miharashi no Yu (Scenic View Bath), and Kashikiri no Yu (Private Bath), all fed by natural hot spring sources. Located at an altitude of 1,270–1,280 meters, these baths provide stunning views and a sense of freedom while enjoying the beauty of the highland nature. Soaking in a warm open-air bath while surrounded by snow-covered forests and feeling the crisp, cold air against your cheeks is one of the ultimate pleasures of winter in Tateshina.
The hot spring water, sourced from the Tateshina Mimuro Hot Spring, is well-known for its high acidity with a pH of 2.9 and is said to be effective in relieving muscle pain and atopic dermatitis.
In winter, you can also witness the tsurara (ice pillar) formed by water drawn through pipes from a spring located 100 meters upstream from Kosai no Yu. By January, when the cold weather persists, this natural ice sculpture can reach nearly 10 meters in height. A winter tradition for about 20 years, this phenomenon is a testament to the purity of the water, which glimmers in a striking “ice blue” hue when illuminated by sunlight.
Tateshina Base: A Modern Hot Spring for Relaxation and Refreshment
Located about a 10-minute walk from the hotel by Lake Tateshina, Tateshina Base is a multi-purpose facility that opened in 2023. It includes a restaurant, accommodations, a tourist information center, and a day-use hot spring. The baths are fed by the natural source of Takinoyu Onsen and feature two bathing areas: the Niwa no Yu (Garden Bath), a modern Japanese-style bath overlooking a courtyard garden, and the Futago no Yu (Twin Baths), paved with locally sourced Teppei stones and evoking a nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere.
In Futago no Yu, there are two types of baths, Atsu Yu (Hot Bath) and Nuru Yu (Warm Bath), which are said to enhance relaxation when used alternately. The water here is weakly acidic and rich in metasilicic acid, a natural moisturizing component, making it highly beneficial for skin health.
Taki no yu: A Historic and Healing Hot Spring
Right next to the main gate of Hotel de L’Alpage stands the entrance to Tateshina Grand Hotel Taki no yu, a large resort offering 12 types of baths and saunas, with day-use options available. Taki no yu is one of Nagano’s most famous hot springs, reputedly discovered during the Sengoku period by Takeda Shingen, a feudal lord of Kai Province. It is said that his soldiers, traveling between Kai and Kawanakajima for battles, healed their wounds in these waters.
Even today, Taki no yu is praised for its healing properties and skin-enhancing benefits. Visitors can enjoy baths overlooking the Taki no yu River or relax in the expansive open-air baths while appreciating the history and scenery. The water is effective in alleviating nerve pain and muscle aches and is also rich in Metasilicic acid, contributing to its reputation as a “beauty-enhancing” hot spring.
[Winter Exclusive] One Reservation Per Day: “Stay-in Plan” in a Suite Room
This winter, our hotel offers an exclusive Stay-in Plan, until January 30, 2025, where you can indulge in remedial treatments within your suite room coupled with gourmet dining at restaurant Le Jardin.
Relax as you take in the unique winter scenery from your window, surrendering your mind and body to a remedial massage performed with nourishing organic jojoba oil. Enjoy a blissful soak in the spacious bathtubs in each suite, transforming your bath into a snow-viewing Onsen experience.
