STORY 01A trip to enjoy the hotel alone

• There are not many places where a woman can stay alone without worrying about what others think or feeling uncomfortable.

  “Is she here alone?”
  “Is she divorced?”
  “Is she traveling to get over a broken heart?”

  When a woman is alone, it feels like the people around her like to gossip like this. Actually, though, maybe no one is wondering these things at all. I could just be imagining the whole thing. Regardless, once I step in to Tateshina Shinyu, I am able to say goodbye for a while to that silly habit of worrying about what others think of me. Why? Because there are 30,000 books that allow me to immerse myself in my own world!

  

• The Iwanami book collection, which I ravenously read through in my youth, lines the walls. Whenever I pass through Iwanami book corridor, with books rising up like walls of snow in Tateyama, I feel a surge of joy at having returned.

  I was shown to my favorite room, where I unpacked and began my favorite experience, which I can’t do in my daily life. First, I headed straight for Misuzu Lounge, where the 30,000 books are kept. Even if I stayed here for a year, I would never be able to read through all 30,000 books. Just thinking about that makes me a bit giddy with excitement.

  The lounge offers far more than just books. My partner, with whom I shared drinks, fell in love, and shared my youth and other lovely moments of my life, is here waiting for me.

  Robert Capa Photo Collection
  The Crab Canning Ship
  On the Purpose of Life

  Picking up any of these books fills me with nostalgia. When I read them, I was in high school, doing my best every day in my club activities. After reading each of them, I would tell the boy I had a crash on at length about how the books made me feel. When I hold a nostalgic book in my hands, I recall what my life was like back then, who I talked with, and what kinds of conversations I had with them, and that feeling gently envelops me.

  

• What a lovely, relaxing space. It is snowing outside. As I nestle deep down into the sofa, listening to the crackling of the fireplace, I forget where I am and who I am. The sound of French chansons seems to draw me further into some unknown world.

  Most people think of Tateshina as a summer resort, but this single-building hotel is actually at its best in winter. While it is freezing cold outside and the snowy landscape is dreary, the hotel warmly welcomes travelers in with its warm colors, spacious lounge, and fireplace.

  When I come back to myself, the sun is setting. Before dinner, I have to take a bath in Tenyo no Yu, a hot spring with a magnificent view. It was recently changed to be ladies only, and it is now twice as spacious as it used to be. I heard that it made the view of the beautiful valley even more enjoyable. Snowy landscapes must be magnificent too.

  

• Now that I have enjoyed the open-air hot spring and I am completely satisfied in body and soul, I think I will have a drink before dinner. Getting a drink at a bar alone is a very atypical yet wonderful experience.

  

  Now it’s time to go for dinner. I like that both dinner and breakfast at this hotel are served in private rooms. Even a woman staying alone like me can relax and enjoy eating without being subjected to the curious gazes of others. Today I had Tateshina Mountain Cuisine, which is based on French cuisine but includes a touch of Japanese style. A glass of white Shinshu Goichi wine was the perfect accompaniment.

  

  After a delicious dinner and several glasses of wine, I took my books up to my room, where I stayed up until very late reading in bed. What a luxury! When I got tired of reading, I took a bath in the clear open-air hot spring enveloped in a starry night sky. I am satisfied with my life so far, as I begin to quietly ponder the road ahead.
  Ah, a hotel where you can stay alone.