私は見た!!軽井沢プリンス元旦お節ビュッフェ!!現場検証｜かいるあ女王様の…「ぐるめ道中膝栗毛」 : Prince Hotel Karuizawa Uesuto

I witnessed it!! The New Year's Osechi Buffet at Prince Hotel Karuizawa!! On-Site Investigation
Theme: Travel

Every year, I find myself contemplating the cottages at Prince Hotel Karuizawa for our New Year’s ski trip.

However, in recent years, our family has stuck to the East side.
No matter what, if we can secure a cabin in the 500s, we're right in front of the lift!
But you know...
The East is convenient, but it gets crowded since it shares the area with day-trippers!!
Thus... the East slopes can be a bit boring.

In the end, we ski down the Ariasuka course on the West side.
Last year, while watching from the lift, I thought the West wasn't so bad after all...?
So my husband made a reservation for the West this time (and he did it six months in advance... haha).

Thanks to that, choosing the West was a great decision.
I will compare the East and West cottages on another occasion, but...

Another dilemma arises: the restaurants within the Prince complex.
If you opt for a breakfast plan, you can eat at any restaurant, but I feel like the East restaurant captures the New Year’s spirit the best.
That said, there’s only one buffet restaurant, so it gets quite crowded.

In 2012, it was a bit packed—check it out here: http://ameblo.jp/ohanasao/entry-11123504391.html

The hotel even encourages guests to use the shuttle bus to the West restaurants, which tend to have a more relaxed atmosphere.
By the way, breakfast vouchers can be used as tickets valued at JPY 2,000 each at any restaurant in the hotel.
(Breakfast costs JPY 2,500.)

This means for lunch, if you have four people, that’s JPY 8,000 worth of tickets! So please think wisely (lol).
(Note: These vouchers cannot be used for dinner.)

On New Year’s Day, both lobbies offer complimentary toso (sake).
In the West, you’ll find two buffet restaurants: "New York" and "Asama," but since New York is originally a full-scale restaurant while Asama repurposes a banquet hall into a restaurant, the ambiance is better at New York.

However, surprisingly, the contents of the buffets differ!
I investigated this thoroughly.

At New York, there are just a few osechi items tucked away alongside a typical Western buffet.
On the other hand, Asama not only offers more Western dishes than New York, but also boasts a greater variety of osechi options.

This is the staff-recommended "New York."
I have dined here when my kids were in preschool, and it was quite ordinary (haha).

As it’s New Year’s, they have posted wait times.
Be warned that it can take as long as one hour!

Here’s the view from New York. The hotel boasts a chapel along with a stunning view, but… hmmm… it’s not that impressive.

These are the osechi options at New York.
Yes, just this much~~ (lol).

The Western dishes are fairly varied, but I was shocked to find just one electric toaster!
Despite the bustling period, there was only one toaster?!
A long line forms just to toast bread.
Additionally, when it heats up, it automatically shuts off due to high temperature.
Yet, I continued to toast...

Now over to the banquet hall "Asama."
As expected of a banquet venue, it’s quite spacious.

My family visited this buffet 13 years ago when my daughter was 3 and my son was 2.
Since then, while the layout has changed, the high ceiling and spaciousness remain pleasant.

Look at this! The variety of osechi compared to New York!
While New York has just one person making omelets, there are two in Asama!
Moreover!! In New York, there’s just ketchup, while here, there are three different sauces!!!

They also had ozoni (mochi soup) in New York.
My daughter was surprised to learn that little sardines are called "sandeel"!
The chestnut sweet potato paste was like a sweet potato!

The ozoni was elegantly seasoned and included chicken, shiitake mushrooms, Japanese radish, nanohana (rape blossoms), and carrots.

So, in response to my question, "Is there a difference in content?" (I feel like I asked the same question last year), the esteemed hotel representative in a tie (one seemed unsure and asked another) replied:
"The contents are the same, Japanese and Western dishes at all three restaurants."

That was incorrect.
I feel sorry for anyone who wanted osechi and ended up at New York.
I heard that "New York is Western food-centered," but even the Western options had a greater variety at Asama.

I guess I’m the only one with this silly investigation hobby (lol).
But!! If it can help anyone next New Year’s Day, I would be delighted!