Risonare Yatsugatake, a resort hotel in the nature-rich Yatsugatake area, will hold "Wine Resort Christmas 2026" from December 1 to 25, 2026. Both the 3.5-meter tree made of isshobin (一升瓶) wine bottles and the tree made of 12,000 wine bottles use only bottles of Yamanashi wine. An isshobin is a wine bottle with a capacity of 1,800 ml, compared with 750 ml for a standard wine bottle. This year also brings the first Christmas market at the resort, with wine-related goods and craft workshops, and the return of a Christmas-only strawberry parfait made with white wine.
Background
Hokuto City in Yamanashi, where Risonare Yatsugatake is located, became the first area in Japan to be certified as a "wine special zone" in 2008. This special zone is part of the structural reform special zone system, which was created in 2002. In the zone, a manufacturing license can be obtained at a scale of 2,000 liters, one third of the standard minimum of 6,000 liters set by the Liquor Tax Act.
Located in a wine-growing area, the resort offers a variety of ways to drink wine as well as intellectual experiences related to wine, in-house facilities and activities, and stay plans that let guests discover the appeal of wine. The Christmas event was planned as a special experience for the season that goes beyond tasting wine.
A Sustainable Wine Bottle Tree
The trees are made entirely of 12,000 wine bottles collected from restaurants within the facility and from wineries in Yamanashi. Until now, Risonare Yatsugatake has collected used wine bottles as a resource, and more than 90 percent of them have been reused as material for concrete. Wanting to put the bottles to use in an experience unique to a wine resort, and not only recycle them, the resort began upcycling them in 2019, turning them into wine bottle trees.
On the main street, Piment Street (ピーマン通り), soft light passes through bottles of various colors and shapes and warmly surrounds visitors.
12,000 Yamanashi Wine Bottles Light Up Piment Street
On Piment Street, a tree made of 12,000 bottles of Yamanashi wine is lit up. The 3.5-meter isshobin wine tree, made from the large bottles long used by grape farmers in Yamanashi, returns this year as well. With labels that show each producer's individuality and bottles whose look changes with their colors and shapes, the trees create Christmas illumination unique to a wine resort.
First Christmas Market With Wine-Themed Goods and Craft Workshops
The resort holds its first Christmas market on Piment Street. Hot wine, wine-themed goods, and Christmas picture books line the stalls, so the market can be enjoyed by both adults and children. Two craft workshops are also offered: Christmas wreath making using branches of wine grapes, and making wine-scented candles using wine bottles. The finished wreaths and candles can be taken home as souvenirs of the trip.
Christmas Wreath Making
- Hours: 2:00 PM–8:00 PM (last entry 7:00 PM)
- Price: From ¥2,500
- Location: Main street "Piment Street" (ピーマン通り)
- Notes: Irregular days off. Canceled in rain or stormy weather.
Wine Bottle Candle Making
- Hours: 6:00 PM–8:00 PM (last entry 7:30 PM)
- Price: From ¥4,900
- Location: Main street "Piment Street" (ピーマン通り). In front of the hotel shop when it rains.
- Notes: Irregular days off. Canceled in stormy weather.
Christmas Market Overview
- Hours: 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
- Location: Main street "Piment Street" (ピーマン通り)
- Eligibility: Hotel guests and day visitors
- Notes: Canceled in rain or stormy weather. Vendors vary by day.
Christmas-Only Strawberry Parfait Made With White Wine
The Christmas-only strawberry parfait returns this year. The refreshing aroma of white wine added to the mascarpone cream brings out the sweet-tart flavor of the strawberries. The sweetness and freshness are balanced in a flavor available only during this season.
- Dates: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the period, and every day from December 16 to 25
- Hours: 3:00 PM–8:00 PM
- Price: ¥2,000 (tax included)
- Location: Piment Street "food truck" (キッチンカー) and BOOKS & CAFE
- Eligibility: Hotel guests and day visitors
"Wine Resort Christmas 2026" Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Period | December 1 to 25, 2026 |
| Hours | 10:00 AM–10:00 PM (illumination from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM) |
| Price | Free admission |
| Location | Main street "Piment Street" (ピーマン通り) |
| Eligibility | Hotel guests and day visitors |
About Risonare Yatsugatake
Risonare Yatsugatake is a resort hotel set amid the vast nature of Yatsugatake. Its concept is "a town where a mountain vacanza comes true" (山岳のヴァカンツァが叶う街); "vacanza" is the Italian word for vacation. Inside the facility, which evokes an Italian mountain city, guests find rooms where they can relax as if living there, activities set in the great outdoors, and meals featuring local wine.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 129-1 Kobuchizawa-cho, Hokuto, Yamanashi (postal code 408-0044) |
| Phone | 050-3134-8093 (Risonare Reservation Center) |
| Rooms | 172 (check-in 3:00 PM, check-out 12:00 PM) |
| Rate | From ¥25,000 per night (per person, based on 2 guests per room, tax and service charge included) |
| Access | About 5 minutes by car from JR Kobuchizawa Station (free shuttle bus available) |
| Website | https://hoshinoresorts.com/ja/hotels/risonareyatsugatake/ |
