Old Karuizawa Ginza Street: 8 Shops and Cafes for Local Delights

The Charm of Old Karuizawa Ginza Street

The Old Karuizawa Ginza Street is the historic heart of Karuizawa. This vibrant 750-meter promenade is lined on both sides with long-established bakeries, cozy coffee shops, souvenir boutiques, and local eateries. You will also find a convenient tourist information center right along the way.

For most travelers, this is the very first stop after stepping off the Shinkansenat Karuizawa Station. Visitors flock here to soak in the city's relaxing atmosphere—and, of course, to treat their taste buds.

To help you make the most of your visit, we gathered the best street food and souvenirs found around Old Karuizawa Ginza Street and Karuizawa Station.

• Table of Contents
• 1. FINE: Delightful Fruit Jams and Savory Dips
• 2. JAM KOBAYASHI: Loved by Japanese Netizens
• 3. Shirakabado: Taste the Famous Karuizawa Tart
• 4. Coriss Karuizawa: Stylish Lifestyle Goods
• 5. MIKADO Coffee: Delicious Ice Cream Made Locally
• 6. Libisco Gelato: Genuine, High-Quality Gelato
• 7. French Bakery: The Bread That Won Over John Lennon
• 8. Vegibier: Savory, Heavyweight Sandwiches

1. FINE: Delightful Fruit Jams and Savory Dips

Karuizawa and the wider Nagano prefecture are renowned for their exceptional agricultural produce—most notably their juicy grapes, blueberries, and apples.

Located inside the Church Street Shopping Mall along the main promenade, FINE is an artisanal shop specializing in locally sourced, additive-free jams, savory dips, and teas made with Nagano fruit and vegetables.

The store is famous for its "Shinshu Marugoto Kajitsu" series, which features over 30 varieties of fresh fruit preserves—all available for sampling before you buy.

Editor's Pick: FINE House-Made Bagna Cauda Dip (860 yen, tax included)

Alongside these sweet spreads, they offer savory fruit and vegetable dips that pair perfectly with green salads or pasta, as well as creative dessert flavors like matcha red bean, butter red bean, and even pudding jam.

Crafted from garlic, olive oil, and anchovies, this house-made Italian dip turns fresh vegetables into an appetizing, healthy treat.

It also pairs beautifully with sliced baguettes or crackers, making it a light, refreshing option for hot summer days when your appetite needs a boost.

Shinshu Marugoto Kajitsu Megumi Blueberry Jam (740 yen before tax)

While blueberry jam is common, this particular version stands out because it allows you to enjoy the satisfying texture of whole, plump blueberries. Made with a remarkably simple recipe, each jar contains only premium Shinshu blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice.

As a seasonal exclusive with a delicate sweetness that lets the natural fruit flavor shine, it is an easy favorite that will go straight into your shopping basket.

FINE Karuizawa
Address: 1F Church Street Karuizawa, 601-1 Karuizawa, Kitasaku, Nagano
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 19:00

2. JAM KOBAYASHI: Loved by Japanese Netizens

Located directly on the shopping street, JAM KOBAYASHI originally opened in 1949 as a fruit and vegetable shop before evolving into a specialty jam store.

Dried fruits and unique miscellaneous goods spill out from its tiny storefront, creating a charming, irresistible exterior that instantly draws you in.

JAM KOBAYASHI’s most popular product is its strawberry jam, available in both small and large jars.

Visible through the clear glass, the jar is packed with whole, intact strawberries. Drizzling it over toast, yogurt, or pancakes instantly elevates a simple snack into a luxurious dessert. (500 yen before tax).

JAM KOBAYASHI
Address: 710 Karuizawa, Karuizawa, Kitasaku, Nagano
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 (Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays)

3. Shirakabado: Taste the Famous Karuizawa Tart

Beyond its famous jams, Karuizawa offers a wide variety of local snacks and souvenirs. A prime example is Shirakabado—while this local shop carries jam, its absolute bestseller is the Karuizawa Tart.

These popular treats were even selected as an official in-flight snack for Japan Airlines.

Individually wrapped and sized to fit right in your palm, these treats make ideal local souvenirs. Each box includes two distinct flavors—one loaded with crunchy walnuts and the other with sliced almonds.

With a crispy tart crust, soft cake filling, and rich, fragrant nuts, they pair perfectly with afternoon tea.

Shirakabado Former Karuizawa Ginza Main Store

605 Karuizawa, Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture 38...

4. Coriss Karuizawa: Stylish Lifestyle Goods

Located near the Old Karuizawa Ginza Street, Coriss is a lifestyle and apparel shop curating Japanese-made clothing, accessories, kitchenware, and daily essentials from across the country.

If you have a soft spot for Japanese tableware, fashion, or miscellaneous goods (zakka), you will need to hold on tightly to your wallet here.

coriss

10-2 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano 389-0103

5. MIKADO Coffee: Delicious Ice Cream Made Locally

Established in 1948, MIKADO Coffee is a classic Showa-era coffee shop renowned for its signature acid-balanced brews. You can find branches along the Old Karuizawa Ginza Street as well as inside the Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza Outlet.

Their legendary Mocha Soft Serve is a must-try item. Whether enjoyed on its own in a cone or cup, or paired as a float over coffee jelly and hot coffee, these cold treats draw endless crowds.

The Mocha Express offers two distinct ways to enjoy it: savor the smooth, rich mocha soft-serve on its own, or pour over a shot of slightly bitter espresso to cut the sweetness. This refreshing, sophisticated contrast creates a deeply addictive adult dessert.

If you want a souvenir other than jam, pick up one of their drip coffee sets. Packaged with a charming watercolor illustration of the shop’s exterior, it makes a memorable keepsake.

Mikado Coffee Karuizawa Old Road Store

786-2 Karuizawa, Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture...

6. Libisco Gelato: Genuine, High-Quality Gelato

Libisco Gelato handcrafts its gelato every morning using fresh milk, local fruits, and seasonal vegetables.

Made completely egg-free and with minimal sugar, each scoop highlights the pure, natural flavor of its ingredients.

The shop offers a diverse lineup of flavors, including fresh milk, raw chocolate, cream cheese, caramel latte, white pumpkin, matcha, and yogurt. On this visit, we tried the rare Damask Rose gelato.

Infused with roses from Cyprus, it boasts a delicate floral fragrance and a subtle, sophisticated sweetness. (500 yen)

L'ibisco Karuizawa store

746-4 Karuizawa, Karuizawa Town, Kitasaku District, Nagano Prefecture...

7. French Bakery: The Bread That Won Over John Lennon

Strolling Karuizawa's streets in the morning, you're immediately greeted by the rich scent of freshly baked bread drifting from every corner. Influenced by its early Western residents, the town developed a thriving bakery culture—and whether long-established or sleek and modern, these shops are guaranteed to captivate any bread lover.

Located near the end of the Old Karuizawa Ginza Street, French Bakery prominently displays a large poster of John Lennon inside.

During his summer holidays in Karuizawa, visiting this shop daily to pick up a fresh French baguette was famously one of his favorite routines.

Founded in 1951, French Bakery stays true to traditional baking methods, filling its shelves with nostalgic classics like yakisoba bread and cream buns.

On this visit, we tried the crowd-favorite edamame bread. Unassuming in appearance, its soft texture and light saltiness perfectly complement the savory edamame.

*A small seating area is available inside if you prefer to dine in rather than take out.

French Bakery
Address: 618 Kyu-Karuizawa, Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture, 389-0102
Opening Hours: 8:00 - 17:00 (Closed Tuesdays to Fridays)

8. Vegibier: Savory, Heavyweight Sandwiches

If you need a break from heavy street food, head over to vegibier near Karuizawa Station.

The restaurant is famous for turning Hokkaido venison and fresh, colorful vegetables into flavorful sandwiches, pastas, and salads. If you aren't ready to try game meat, there are plenty of other options on the menu—including a completely vegetarian-friendly vegetable sandwich.

This chicken ham sandwich arrives in a generous, hearty portion. Stuffed with crisp lettuce, house-stewed ratatouille, and tender homemade chicken ham, it offers a refreshing, fiber-rich meal.

Even the bread stands out: soft, pleasantly chewy toast that leaves a lasting impression long after your last bite.

Karuizawa Vegibier

184-1 Karuizawahigashi, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano 389-0104

Enjoy Exploring Karuizawa

While the Old Karuizawa Ginza Street is relatively short, its branching side alleys hide countless local gems. Pairing quick street-food snacks with casual browsing makes for an easy, rewarding one-hour stroll.

From artisanal jams to iconic bakeries, does this lineup of Karuizawa treats inspire your next getaway? For our editor, cycling through the crisp mountain air, sampling local gourmet bites, and picking up unique souvenirs is the ultimate Karuizawa experience.