The Fashionable Escape — An oasis just 60 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen, Karuizawa offers shopping, winter sports, and an escape into the soothing quiet of nature.

Due to its high elevation, Karuizawa is cool even in summer, and it has long been famous as a place to retreat from the summer heat. You can bicycle through densely wooded forests, bask in the negative ions from Shiraito Falls, and take in the fall leaves at Kumoba Pond. Or experience nature on a deeper level by taking part in a nature tour at Picchio Wildlife Research Center in Naka-Karuizawa, which conducts environmental conservation activities.

Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza is an outlet with some 220 shops spread out around a pond and spacious grassy area, so you can breathe in the fresh air and experience natural beauty as you do some shopping. Head north from Karuizawa Station to spend some time at a café and enjoy shopping on the Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Street, where things remain just like the good old days.

The Hoshino area of Naka-Karuizawa has the fashionable “Harunire Terrace” shopping area, and in winter you can skate on the pond at Kera Pond Ice Rink.

The ski resort right next to Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza uses snowmaking equipment to open in early November, the earliest in Nagano every year.

Amid the nature of Minami(south)-Karuizawa are museums devoted to picture books and toys, as well as a spacious sports park with a skating facility where you can even try your hand at curling.

Map and Access

From Tokyo, it’s 60 minutes to Karuizawa Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. From Karuizawa Station, there are buses to Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza and Shiraito Falls.

From Karuizawa Station, it’s about 5 minutes to Naka-Karuizawa Station on the Shinano Railway. There are buses from Naka-Karuizawa Station to Hoshinoya.

There are also a number of bicycle rental shops around Karuizawa Station.

Where to Stay

By Karuizawa Station and Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza

Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza lays at the south exit from Karuizawa Station, and beside it is the Karuizawa Prince Hotel used as a G7 venue, with over 700 rooms in total. Between Karuizawa Station and Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza there are also a variety of hotels.

In Naka-Karuizawa

Northbound on Route 146 from Naka-Karuizawa Station there is not only the pricy but popular resort Hoshinoya Karuizawa and the Hotel Bleston Court located next to a church with unique architecture, but also a number of fashionable hotels and pensions or lodges.