[Nagano/Sightseeing] Introducing recommended tourist spots in Karuizawa for each season! From classics to hidden gems!

[From Tokyo Station] [Shinkansen + Sightseeing] Karuizawa Day Trip

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1. Karuizawa is like this

Karuizawa is a lush resort area surrounded by trees. Located at an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters in Nagano Prefecture, the air is clear and cool even in summer, making it a popular summer resort. As it is a tourist destination that is lively in the summer, there are many cafes, shops, and museums that are only open in the summer.

2. Recommended for spring! Karuizawa tourist attractions

Karuizawa may have the image of being a popular summer destination, but it is actually a spot that can be enjoyed all year round. Spring in Karuizawa arrives a month later than in Tokyo, and the fresh greenery finally begins to spread around June.

Here, we will introduce recommended sightseeing spots in Karuizawa in spring.

2-1 Picchio

Picchio is a facility where you can have fun learning about the creatures and nature that live in Karuizawa. Nature tours are held regularly here, and you can take a stroll through the Karuizawa Wild Bird Forest with the support of staff who love Karuizawa's nature. Nature tours are held with different content depending on the season, and in spring there are ``Wild Bird Forest Nature Watching'', ``Flying Flying Squirrel Watching'', and ``Study Tours to Learn about Efforts for Coexistence between Bears and People''. Masu.

【basic information】

Name Picchio

Address: Hoshino, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture

Contact 0267-45-7777

WEB Picchio official website

2-2 Harunire Terrace

Harunire Terrace is a stylish tourist spot lined with 16 stores based on the concept of "Daily Life in Karuizawa." The 16 stores are connected by a wooden deck, so you can stop by various shops while taking a walk.

In addition to Italian restaurants, there are shops where you can eat breakfast and select shops selling fashionable miscellaneous goods. After shopping, why not enjoy a cup of tea or a meal at a cafe or restaurant?

【basic information】

Name: Harunire Terrace

WEB Karuizawa Hoshino Area Official Website

2-3 Stone Church Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Hall

Stone Church Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Hall is an organic church made of stone and glass. It's about a 15-minute walk from Harunire Terrace, which I introduced earlier. Inside the church, light shines through between the stones and glass, creating a very mysterious space.

There is a ``Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Hall'' in the basement of the church, and materials related to Uchimura Kanzo are on display, so be sure to stop by.

【basic information】

Name: Stone Church Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Hall

Contact 0267-45-2288

WEB Stone Church Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Official Website

3. Recommended for summer! Karuizawa tourist attractions

Summer in Karuizawa is full of attractions. Here we will introduce recommended spots in Karuizawa that you should visit in the summer.

3-1 Shiraito Falls

Shiraito Falls is a waterfall where underground water flows down from a wide quay in many lines like white threads. This waterfall, located at the source of the Yukawa River, is 3m high and 70m wide, and is characterized by its curved walls. In summer, the refreshing sound of the waterfall and the cool spray of water will soothe your soul.

Every summer, a projection mapping event called "Karuizawa Shiraito Falls Illusion" is held at Shiraito Falls.

【basic information】

Name: Shiraito Falls

WEB Karuizawa Town official website

3-2 Karuizawa Kogen Church

Karuizawa Kogen Church, nestled in the midst of greenery, is a historic church built in 1923. Various events are held throughout the year, but in the summer, ``Summer Candle Night'' is held where many lanterns are set up in the church forest, creating a magical atmosphere.

Gospel services are also held on Sundays, regardless of the season, and anyone is welcome to visit.

【basic information】

Name: Karuizawa Kogen Church

Contact 0267-45-3333

WEB Karuizawa Kogen Church official website

3-3 Karuizawa Taliesin

Karuizawa Taliesin is a tourist spot where you can enjoy Karuizawa's nature, art, and culture. There are many attractions to see, such as the Peinet Museum, which is the relocated villa of Antonin Raymond, who designed the Imperial Hotel, and the Karuizawa Kogen Bunko, which was once visited by the Emperor and Empress!

In the summer, you can enjoy go-karts and water activities at Lake Shiozawa, making it a tourist spot that both children and adults can enjoy.

【basic information】

Name Karuizawa Taliesin

Address: 217 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture

Contact 0267-46-6161

WEB Karuizawa Taliesin official website

4. Recommended for autumn! Karuizawa tourist attractions

In autumn, the trees turn red, transforming the area from a summer resort to a spot for autumn leaves. Here we will introduce recommended sightseeing spots in Karuizawa in autumn.

4-1 Kumoba Pond

Kumoba Pond is a pond filled with highly transparent spring water, and is also called ``Swan Lake'' because swans used to come here. In autumn, the trees around Kumoba Pond turn red and orange, and the reflection in the lake is very beautiful. You can walk around Kumoba Pond in about 25 minutes, so in the fall it is crowded with people who enjoy the autumn leaves while taking a walk.

【basic information】

Name: Kumoba Pond

WEB Karuizawa Kumoba Pond Blog

4-2 Karuizawa Picture Book Museum

The Karuizawa Picture Book Museum, located in the Muse Forest, has a library and an exhibition hall. It is a recommended tourist spot for families with children, as you can enjoy over 1,800 picture books, mainly Western picture books. There is also a Peter Rabbit permanent exhibition and seasonal special exhibitions, so you can enjoy it no matter when you go.

The inside of the building is designed to give you a sense of the warmth of wood, and the nice thing about it is that you can read in a soft atmosphere. Let's search for a favorite book with your child at the Karuizawa Picture Book Mori Art Museum during autumn reading.

【basic information】

Name: Karuizawa Picture Book Museum

WEB Karuizawa Picture Book Museum Official Website

4-3 Larch trees along Mikasa Street

Mikasa Street is lined with rows of deciduous pines, and in the fall, the trees turn golden yellow, making them so beautiful that they have been selected as one of the ``New 100 Views of Japan's Street Trees.'' Mikasa Street is lined with larch trees for about 2km, so it's nice to drive through it, but it's also nice to walk and feel the arrival of autumn.

The best time to see them is usually from mid-October to early November.

【basic information】

Name Mikasa Street Karamatsu Lined Trees

WEB Karuizawa Town official website

Five. Recommended for winter! Karuizawa tourist attractions

Karuizawa in winter is crowded with people enjoying winter sports. Here we will introduce recommended spots in Karuizawa that you should visit in winter.

5-1 Old Karuizawa Ginza

Old Karuizawa Ginza is a shopping street that represents Karuizawa and is loved not only by tourists but also by locals. It's lined with a variety of stores, including long-established bakeries and cute general stores, and many of them offer takeout, so it's fun to eat while walking. Among them, Mikado Coffee's mocha soft serve is famous for its deliciousness, and many people buy it even in winter.

【basic information】

Name Old Karuizawa Ginza

WEB Old Karuizawa Ginza official website

5-2 Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza

Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza, a resort-style shopping mall, consists of 10 shopping areas. The grounds are vast and include apparel shops, outlet shops, play equipment for children, and a dog run. You won't get tired of it even if you stay there all day.

【basic information】

Name Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza

WEB Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza official website

5-3 Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort

When you think of Karuizawa in winter, you think of skiing. Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort is a large ski resort with 16 courses, so everyone from beginners to advanced skiers can enjoy it. Even if you don't have ski equipment, there are plenty of rentals available, so you can enjoy skiing empty-handed whenever you feel like it. We also hold a ski school for children, so it's also recommended for your child's ski debut.

【basic information】

Name Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort

WEB Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort Official Website

6. Tours are recommended for sightseeing in Karuizawa

Karuizawa is famous as a summer resort, but it is also a tourist spot that can be enjoyed regardless of the season. Let's travel to Karuizawa not only in summer, but also in spring, autumn, and winter, whenever you feel like it!

[From Tokyo Station] [Shinkansen + Sightseeing] Karuizawa Day Trip

Click here to make a reservation!