Karuizawa, Japan | The Forest City
Karuizawa, Japan | The Forest City
Laura Murray
Sights, cafes, eats, and things to do around Karuizawa, Nagano in Japan.
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History of Karuizawa
A resort area that was made famous by a Canadian missionary in 1886. The Christian families that moved to Karuizawa have influenced the town in many ways. Most prominent is the style of architecture around Karuizawa.
The majority of the people in the area are visitors. There are 8.5 million annual visitors to the 20 thousand residents.
Popular Sightseeing
Kumoba Pond
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Popular strolling spot for autumn foliage viewing.
20 min walk around the pond.
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Shiraito Waterfall
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25 min bus ride to an arc-shaped waterfall. Extremely popular destination. Food vendor near bus stop.
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Usui Pass Observation Platform
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Look out spot on the border between Gunma and Nagano Prefecture. Views of many mountains.
Bus runs from Old Karuizawa Ginza street up to view point. Or, it's a 1 hr walk along the Nakasendo.
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Shopping Districts
Old Karuizawa Ginza Street
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Nicknack shopping street with high end cafes and restaurants. Odd mix of Western and Japanese architecture.
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Harunire Terrace
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Very busy shopping area with cute boutiques. Basically the poster child of Karuizawa. I recommend coming early or once it's dark out. Cafes and restaurants typically have a wait time.
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Karuizawa Commongrounds
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Alternate bouquet shopping location to Haruine Terrance. Much less people and quainter atmosphere. Cafes and nicknack shopping.
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Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
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Outlet mall with all your essential shopping needs. Like New Balance....
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Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa
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Painter's museum with beautiful court yard gardens. 1500 yen entry per adult.
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Karuizawa Taliesin
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Resort area with fun activities like go-karting, mini golfing, archery, elevated train track, boat rental, picnicking, etc. The photos don't do the place justice. It's an adventure waiting to be discovered. Located along the Karuizawa Loop Bus line.
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Karuizawa Picturebook Museum
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Cute/strange museum with interesting architecture and relaxing reading spots. 900 yen entry per person.
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Stone Church
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Stone/glass church with amazing architecture. It's sporadically closed for private events. Free entry.
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Activities
Cycling
Rent a Cycle KARUIZAWA RideTown.
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Road bikes, Cross bikes, E-bikes. Reservation required.
1,000 - 3,000 yen for the day. See website for up to date rates,
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白ネコサイクル
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Electric bike rental. No reservation allowed.
9-5pm - 1,300 yen
9-9pm - 1500 yen
Overnight - 3,000 yen
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Golfing
Karuizawa Prince Hotel Golf Course
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9 hole easy course with club rentals available. Higher than average price but good service.
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Seizan Golf Course
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18 hole course suitable for all levels. Reasonable price and casual vibe.
You should be able to do a round without a reservation if you show up before noon.
No rental clubs.
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Winter Sports
Karuizawa Princehotel Snow Resort
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Skiing opens for early season on November 1 and closes March 31st.
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Hiking - Tour Guide
Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary
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Guided tours through a nature reserve. Option for self-guide walk through the forest.
Many tours to choose from - 2,500 yen to 6,500 yen per person. Up to 20 person tour groups.
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Day-use Onsens
Tonbo-no-yu (Hoshino Hotel)
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1,350 yen per person. Towels rented for a fee. Open after 10am.
Tattoos must be covered with a 3x4inch sticker. Max 4 stickers allowed. Each sticker is 250 yen. This is enforced and if the tattoos are slightly too big you will be kicked out without a refund.
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Karuizawa Sengataki Hot Spring
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1,200 yen for adults. No towel included. Rental towels are sold for a fee.
No tattoos allowed.
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Kusatsu - Ikaho Ishidan no Yu
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410 yen per person. Tattoo friendly onsen. "石段の湯" on google maps is the main public onsen. Only soap is provided. Towel rental available.
Resort town suitable as a day trip or overnight stay in a ryokan. 1.5 hour bus ride away from Karuizawa.
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kaveri プライベートアウトドアサウナ
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Swimsuit required sauna opened in 2024. Soak in the hot tub on the deck with a view of a forested creek, then sit in a sauna hut.
3,800- 29,700 yen depending on level of privacy and amenity. Reservation recommended. Swimsuits, towels, etc available for rent.
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Food & Drink
Cafes
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ふりこ茶房
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Hidden village dessert and matcha cafe in the woods. Closed on Thursdays. 11-5pm. Along the Karuizawa Loop Bus line.
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Raphael Cafe & Bar
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Quaint antique tea and coffee cafe. You get to pick which cup you want to be served in.
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Suzunone
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Western style building in a forest. Vaguely western inspired meal sets and dessert cafe
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GAFLO Cafe
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Elevated café with forest views. Serving baked goods, sweets, coffee, and meal sets.
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Food
ごはん屋ZUKU
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Izakaya with small dishes and alcohol. Bar seating only. English menu available.
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Wakadori
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Yakitori (grilled chicken) restaurant. Open 5-9pm. English menu available.
Get the big chicken leg
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Tsurutontan
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A variety of different udon flavors. Tablet ordering with English menu. Consider reserving a table for weekend dinner.
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Yukawa
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Soba with nice interior and forest views. Likely no English menu. Ask for 'osusume' and you'll get their recommended soba bowl.
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Mikuriya
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Breakfast (7:15-10:30)/lunch spot with fresh ingredients. Restaurant is next to a rice field. 45 min bike ride from Karuizawa station. 15 min car ride from Karuizawa. Along the Karuizawa Loop Bus line.
1400 yen for breakfast set/ 1600-1800 yen for lunch set.
No English menu.
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DELiCiA Karuizawa Store
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Grocery store with premade meals that typically go 50% off after 5pm.
Easy option to grab food and crash at hotel if you are tired.
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1-2hrs away Destinations
Onioshidashi Park - Mt. Asama view
Paved paths around interesting volcanic landscape. Short route is 40 min and long route is just over an hour.
Onioshidashi Volcanic Park in Jōshinetsu Highlands National Park.
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Views of Mt. Asama along lava rock paved trails. 35 min bus ride away from Naka-Karuizawa station.
700 yen entry, 1250 yen bus fare one way.
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Aputo no Michi - Usui Pass Hike
Hike along an abandoned railway line, through the old railway tunnels.
4 hour hike (14 km) round trip (Yokokawa station to Yokokawa station).
Option to take taxi to Kumanotaira Station from Karuizawa Station. 20 min taxi ride and 2 hour hike to Yokokawa station.
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Megane Bridge (Usui No. 3 Bridge)
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Hike passes over the bridge, hike down to the road for a cool view of the bridge.
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Komoro Area
Small town vibe with a really cool temple an hour walk from the station, or a 9 min drive. Agricultural fields and beautiful river. Walking is sometimes on road.
Shakuson-ji Temple / Nunobuki Kannon
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Temple on the side of a mountain. Steep hike up to the temple from parking lot. Toilets available at base.
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Accommodations
Bells Cabin Guesthouse
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Budget hostel with shared dormitory style rooms and showers. 15 min walk from Naka-Karuizawa Station.
4,400 yen per night.
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Hotel Grand Vert Kyu Karuizawa ホテルグランヴェール旧軽井沢
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Mid-range hotel located 5 min walk from Karuizawa Station.
15,000 yen to 22,000 yen per night
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Karuizawa Prince Hotel West
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High end cottage style hotel. Located near the outlet mall.
40,000+ yen per night
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HOSHINOYA Karuizawa
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Luxury onsen resort. Located 4 minute taxi ride from Naka-Karuizawa station.
70,000 - 90,000 yen+ per night.
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Getting around
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura Murray
Hi, I'm an Arborist from Canada. I'm a cozy traveler who likes searching for hidden gems and cool trees. You'll find café, food, garden, and easy hike recommendations here.
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