A retreat trip to get away from everyday life.
I regulated my breathing at an altitude of 1,550m.
Tateshina is known as a sanctuary where literary giants sought tranquility in the past.
On the first day, let yourself be carried away by the mountain breeze and tune your mind and body to the rhythm of this land.
In summer, there's a refreshingly cool breeze; in winter, the snow creates a silence that seems to absorb all sound.
In a space protected by the warmth of stone and wood, take one step at a time to rediscover the deep breathing you may have forgotten.
DAY01
11:30 / Lunch
Nagato Ranch, Shirakaba Plateau, Shinshu |
Wood-fired pizza enjoyed with the breeze of the grassland
A magnificent grassland stretches out at an altitude of 1,400 meters. Pizzas baked quickly in a wood-fired oven offer a perfect harmony of fragrant crust and rich cheese. Feel the highlands liberate all your senses and switch you into retreat mode.
13:30 / Walk
Gosensui Nature Park｜
Embraced by birch trees in a forest above the clouds
Take a gondola ride up to a sky garden at an altitude of 1,830 meters. The space, lined with boardwalks through alpine plants and primeval forests, offers stunning views: vibrant green moss in summer and shimmering frost-covered trees in winter. Listen to the birdsong and the sound of the wind. Experience the luxury of becoming one with the rhythms of nature.
15:00 / Arrival
TATESHINA LAKE RESORT |
Welcomed by the warmth of stone and wood
Nestled on the shores of Lake Megami, this hotel is enveloped in tranquility. Stepping into the atrium lobby, you'll be greeted by the cool, refreshing feel of the stonework in summer and the warm sound of crackling wood in the fireplace in winter. Its dignified design will transport you into a journey of epic proportions.
16:30 / Twilight
Goddess Lake｜
The tranquility created by the water's surface and the twilight.
After dropping off our luggage, we headed to Lake Megami, which stretched out right in front of the hotel. In the summer twilight, the breeze across the lake was incredibly pleasant, and in winter, the frozen lake reflected the setting sun, shining with a divine brilliance. We strolled slowly along the lakeshore, gazing at the tranquil surface of the water. This is where we began our dialogue with the nature of Tateshina.
18:30 / Dinner
Restaurant |
Experience the true essence of Shinshu's terroir.
"Shinshu Cuisine" features ingredients nurtured by the soil and water of this region. In summer, enjoy the vibrant life force of fresh summer vegetables, and in winter, savor the deep, sweet flavor of root vegetables. When paired with carefully selected Shinshu wines, you'll feel a refreshing breeze blowing through your very core.
21:00 / Relax
Fireplace Lounge |
Thoughts in harmony with fire and darkness
Enjoy the lingering feeling after your meal in the lounge. In winter, be enveloped in the warm glow of the fireplace; in summer, in the cool air that makes you forget the season. It gives a quiet contour to the night. You are free to open your favorite book or simply gaze at the flames. At an altitude of 1,550m, the night deepens peacefully and endlessly.
Unleash your five senses,
A day in harmony with nature and art.
Waking up in the morning light, I continued to savor the lingering memories of the previous day on the second day.
Lakes, forests, and art. I will engrave the tranquil pace of life in this place more deeply into my being.
Your five senses, which you usually don't consciously think about in everyday life, become sharper, and your inner self becomes fulfilled.
DAY02
07:00 / Morning
Goddess Lake｜
Awakening by the lake, enveloped in morning mist
Morning mist slowly rises from the mirror-like surface of the water, dissolving the outline of the opposite shore in a white haze. In summer, the humid air, carrying the scent of grass, and in winter, the crisp, biting cold air, quietly awaken the senses that are still asleep. Standing before the lake, which presents a different face than it did last evening, I take my first deep breath of the day.
08:30 / Breakfast
Restaurant |
The blessings of highland vegetables that purify the body
Enjoy a fresh breakfast in Restaurant bathed in the morning sun. You'll be amazed by the vibrant freshness of the highland vegetables delivered from local farmers. In summer, refresh yourself with our signature smoothies made with fresh vegetables carefully grown hydroponically on the hotel premises, and in winter, warm yourself from the inside out with a hot potage. It's the perfect start to a day that nourishes you from within.
11:00 / Nature
Kita-Yatsugatake Ropeway |
A breathtaking aerial stroll through the sky.
Embark on an aerial stroll towards the mountaintop at an altitude of 2,237m. A magnificent panoramic view unfolds beyond the window. The gentle feeling of floating envelops your body, relaxing your mind. Experience the vibrant spirit of this land from a bird's-eye view. The crisp air deepens your connection with nature. Enjoy an exhilarating experience that resonates with the vastness of the sky.
13:00 / Lunch
Soba noodles from Tateshina Highlands
The exquisite smoothness that comes from pure water.
For lunch, how about soba noodles made with the pristine spring water unique to this high-altitude region? The noodles, chilled in crisp, cold water, are fragrant and will cleanse your soul. Enjoy the traditional flavors of Shinshu slowly in our restaurant, bathed in dappled sunlight filtering through the trees.
15:00 / Sauna & Bath
Sauna and open-air bath |
Reaching peak of relaxation at an altitude of 1,550m
Enjoy the newly renovated sauna and the natural spring water bath, along with the open-air bath overlooking Lake Megami. Exposing your skin to the cool summer breeze and the sub-zero winter air will bring about an unprecedented level of deep relaxation. It is a blissful time when your mind and body are realigned.
19:00 / Dinner
Restaurant |
The exquisite artistry of writing that captures the joy of staying for multiple nights.
For dinner on the second night, we offered creative cuisine with a different feel from the first night. The chef transformed carefully selected seasonal ingredients into a surprising dish. With a glass of wine in hand, we savored the richness of our time spent in this place. It was a moment of profound culinary delight that can only be experienced by staying for multiple nights.
21:30 / Meditation
Night Terrace |
Savoring the last night under the starry sky
At the end of the day, head to the dimly lit terrace. The sky above is filled with sharply twinkling stars. In summer, enjoy the gentle night breeze; in winter, savor the crisp, clear air that seems to penetrate deep into your lungs. Before drifting off to a deep sleep, take some time to reflect on your journey.
Carrying the lingering feeling of being at an altitude of 1,550m,
Redefining everyday life.
My mental and physical clarity has improved remarkably during this two-day stay.
On the morning of the final day, prepare to leave this place quietly, so as not to disrupt the established rhythm.
In summer, I feel the powerful scent of greenery; in winter, the crisp weight of the air. With a clearer sense, I face everyday life once again.
DAY03
08:00 / Shopping
Shop |
A moment to take home memories of your trip.
Before you depart, stop by the hotel shop to choose souvenirs to take home with you the memories of your trip. You'll find a variety of items to enrich your travel memories, including sweets unique to Shinshu, local specialties, and goods that evoke the nature of Tateshina. The time spent choosing a gift while thinking of someone special is also part of the joy of traveling. Each time you hold it in your hands, it will envelop the scenery and experiences that come flooding back, connecting the rich time you spent in this place back into your daily life.
10:00 / Reflection
Goddess Lake｜
I examine the outline of my heart reflected in the water.
Before checking out, I went back to the lakeside one last time. On a windless morning, Lake Megami reflects the sky perfectly, and there are moments when it becomes difficult to distinguish between water and sky. I gently superimpose myself, who had been unburdened over the past two days, onto that mirror of water. In summer, it's the deep blue embracing the green; in winter, the stillness of the frozen, silvery surface. I tucked this scenery into my heart, along with the lingering sadness of leaving my trip.
11:00 / Departure
Lobby |
A peaceful farewell
In the stately stone lobby, you'll complete your final procedures. In summer, the cool breeze blowing through the open atrium, and in winter, the gentle warmth emanating from the embers of the fireplace, signal the end of your stay. You'll realize that the time you spent here was not merely a rest, but a process of self-reflection.
12:00 / Heritage
Mugeiso｜
Tracing the margins that Yasujiro Ozu loved.
On the way back, we visited the mountain villa where film director Yasujiro Ozu worked on his screenplays. What he found in this place was "ultimate silence" that didn't disturb his thoughts. The breeze that blows across the veranda in summer, the scent of the hearth in winter. A profound inspiration to conclude the journey.
14:00 / Drive
Venus Line |
The moment your vision opens up, everyday life becomes new.
Take a leisurely drive along the breathtaking Venus Line. In summer, vibrant green stretches across your entire field of vision; in winter, clear skies and white mountain ridges await. As Lake Megami shrinks in your rearview mirror, you'll realize your mind and body have been reset. Your heightened senses will surely change the way you perceive everyday life.
