As the year draws to a close, the Christmas season is just around the corner. Around this time, the natural landscapes of Tateshina gradually become blanketed in snow, transforming the surroundings into a beautiful winter landscape.
During this season, HOTEL de L’ALPAGE is decorated with a variety of festive ornaments for all our guests to fully enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
In this feature, we would like to introduce some of the special seasonal decorations and illuminations that can only be seen during this time of year.
The illumination
Since early November, different Christmas lights have been illuminating the hotel. While we also held an illumination display last year, this year’s version has been expanded to an even grander scale.
From the hotel’s main gate to the entrance, the road is brightened by elegantly illuminated trees creating a beautiful view that can also be enjoyed from the Venus Line. Additionally, this year we have also added new decorations around the HOTEL de L’ALPAGE logo above the entrance, as well as draped lights adorning both sides of the main building.
The large wisteria and wild pear trees in the garden, like last year, are also beautifully illuminated and can be admired from the restaurant while dining.
The indoor lighting decorations have also been upgraded and the new illuminations now extend across the upper walls surrounding the Winter Garden. Around the spiral staircase, the lights that extend from the first floor up to the third floor, blend beautifully with the soft curves of the staircase’s white and pale blue walls creating a beautiful Christmas atmosphere.
The Christmas Trees
An important part of Christmas decorations is undoubtedly the Christmas tree. At HOTEL de L’ALPAGE, we have three different types of Christmas trees, each chosen to match the atmosphere of its location.
The firsts located at the hotel entrance are Shirabiso fir trees, crafted from thinned wood taken from a over 100 years old tree. Shirabiso is an evergreen conifer in the fir family that grows naturally in the subalpine zones at elevations of 1,500 to 2,500 meters.
Growing straight, with trunks thickly covered in moss and lichen, it maintains its vibrant green color even at temperatures of minus 20 degrees Celsius. As an endemic species to Japan and found only in restricted regions of Honshu and Shikoku, it is rarely cultivated or sold commercially. Another characteristic of Shirabiso is its fragrance: in addition to the refreshing scent typical of conifers, it also has a sweet, berry-like aroma. Experience this unique fragrance at the hotel shop, where we offer an oil spray extracted from Shirabiso.
Enjoy this unique Tateshina-style Christmas tree, only made possible by the region’s high-altitude environment.
The new Christmas tree displayed this year in the bar, Le Rêve, features an elegant design tailored for the calm and refined atmosphere of the space. Adorned with deep crimson ribbons that harmonize with the interior, the tree creates a slightly more mature and sophisticated Christmas mood.
In the lobby’s Winter Garden, the Christmas tree is an elegant, classic-style display with traditional colors and decorations. The large tree, embellished with ornaments in gold, silver, and red, brings an instantly festive and glamorous ambiance to the space.
Enjoy the season with the various Christmas trees throughout the property and discover your favorite among them.
Steiff’s Teddy Bear
Displayed in the Winter Garden, the Christmas sleigh set from the German plush toy brand Steiff, is one of only 1,225 pieces produced worldwide. The set is composed of a reindeer, with a wool felt harness pulling a finely shaped sleigh with a bear wearing a full-length red wool coat adorned with delicate embroidery.
This elegant set may be small in size, but it beautifully enhances the Christmas atmosphere throughout the space.
In addition to the illuminations and Christmas trees, the crèche de Noël, a traditional French Christmas decoration depicting the birth of Jesus Christ, is also displayed in the Winter Garden. According to tradition, baby Jesus shown in the nativity set held in the arms of the Virgin Mary as still being the womb, is gently placed in the cradle at midnight on December 24th, symbolizing the birth.
Around the hotel other different decorations and wreaths, like the one decorating the double doors of the reception area or the restaurant wall, are also displayed to allow all our guests to enjoy the season when visiting.
Christmas Events
At the restaurant Le Jardin, a special Christmas dinner, the Noël Dinner will be available for three days only from December 23rd to 25th, for staying guests as well as restaurant reservation only. Spend a refined and intimate Christmas with your loved one in the serene tranquility of the Tateshina Highlands.
Reservations for the French-style afternoon tea, “Goûter de l’Alpage: Christmas Edition” held only on weekends in December, are also available.
Enjoy a selection of sweets prepared by our pâtissier with passion, along with savory treats by our chefs.
Additionally, on Saturday, December 6, we will hold a one-day-only special lobby concert event where guests can enjoy “Goûter de L’Alpage” while listening to beautiful and elegant music.
Spend the winter season in the Tateshina highlands and enjoy memorable moments with your loved one with our seasonal events surrounded by festive Christmas decorations.
・Noël Dinner:
For stay plan reservation, click here
For dinner only reservation, click here
・For reservation to “Goûter de l’Alpage: Christmas Edition” event, click here
・For last year’s Christmas article, please click here
・For notice regarding the winter conditions, please click here
