Just a short bullet train trip away from the nation’s capital, Japan’s Karuizawa impresses with its calming resort atmosphere, verdant trees, hot springs, walking paths, shopping malls and scenic natural attractions. Having been a long held secret by Japanese locals, Karuizawa is now making its mark as a worthy destination internationally.

Here’s your 2023 Guide to Karuizawa, which includes everything you need to know about this relaxing gem in Japan.

How to get to Karuizawa

Thanks to Japan’s efficient public transport system, getting to Karuizawa is extremely easy. While there is no direct flight into Karuizawa, there are plenty of options by train and by bus.

JR Bullet Train

Taking the JR Shinkansen (bullet train) is by far the most hassle-free way of reaching Karuizawa. From Tokyo, it only takes 65-80 minutes using the JR Hokuriku Shinkansen. A one-way journey roughly costs 5,500 Yen, but if you purchase a JR Pass (such as the JR Tokyo Pass or Japan Rail Pass), the return journey is completely covered.

If you’re only visiting the Tokyo area on your trip to Japan and want to explore Karuizawa, then I would recommend you purchase the JR Tokyo Wide Pass. Note that from October 1, 2023, the pass now costs 15,000 yen for adults and 5,090 yen for children from the ages of 6 to 11. A return journey to Karuizawa almost pays off the cost of the pass, but you might need to travel to other destinations to cover the rest of the cost.

Exploring the rest of Japan? Then I would recommend purchasing the Japan Rail Pass, although is significantly more expensive.

By Shinano Railways Train

Alternatively, you can get to Karuizawa using another train company called Shinano Railways. The train however, leaves from the city of Nagano and takes about 100 minutes. Please note that this is a completely different company to JR trains, so any JR passes will not be valid on this journey.

By Bus

There are frequently departing daily buses that leave from Tokyo’s Ikebukuro Station to Karuizawa Station. This is the best option if you’re on a budget as it only costs 2700 yen one-way (almost half the price of the JR Shinkansen cost). However, the journey takes about 3 hours, which is a lot longer than other options.

If you’re already in the area, it may be more feasible for you to take a bus from the hot springs resort town of Kusatsu Onsen, as this journey is slightly cheaper and only takes 80 minutes. The bus stops at the popular Shiraito Waterfall along the way.

How to get around Karuizawa

Although Karuizawa is a quaint resort town up in the mountains, its attractions are spread relatively widely. But fear not – you’re in Japan. There’s always going to be a way to get to where you want to get to.

By Local Bus

The local bus network is served by two companies called Kusakaru Kotsu and Seibu. It’s easiest to catch a bus from Karuizawa Station as you can ask the information counter for information in English, however you can catch a bus from all over town by waiting at the one of the many bus stops. The local buses are great if you have ample time to explore the area, but I wouldn’t really recommend relying on it if you want to sightsee during your days in Karuizawa.

By Rental Car

You can also get around Karuizawa by hiring a rental car. This is a convenient option and lets you go at your own pace. There plenty of rental car companies offering relatively reasonable prices, and you can find them around Karuizawa Station.

By Private Driver

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of waiting for the local bus and are not confident with driving around Japan, a great option is to hire a private driver for the day.

The driver will have an itinerary they can take you through if you don’t know where to go that includes highlight attractions such as Karuizawa Shaw Memorial Church, Former Usuitouge View Point, Kumanokotai Shrine, St Paul’s Catholic Church and Kumaba Pond, but they are also flexible enough to drive to anywhere you feel like going on the day.

To book an English-speaking private driver in Karuizawa, you can click here.

By Tour

There are also a handful of unique experiences I would recommend that you can do by going on a tour in Karuizawa.

Mt Asama is an impressive mountain that features awesome vistas – especially fantastic to witness in the autumn with the pretty foliage. You can trek the summit of the mountain by going on a trekking tour with a guide.

If you’ve ever heard about the cute Japanese Giant Gliding Flying Squirrel, then Karuizawa is a great place to go on a Flying Squirrel Watching Tour. The tour only takes about an hour and is ridiculously affordable for the value that you get.

Finally, this customizable tour lets you go wherever you want within a time limit of 4 hours – giving you the freedom and choice for the day. I would recommend these sights if you decide to embark on this tour: Shiraito Falls, Kumoba Pond and either the Stone Church or Karuizawa Shaw Memorial Church. This itinerary would be a balanced combination of Karuizawa’s best nature and historical sites.

Where to stay in Karuizawa

Being a resort town, Karuizawa features some truly unique accommodation options – from quaint cottages all the way up to mountainous luxury hotels. Here are our handpicked recommendations categorised by budget.

Budget: Bellscabin Guesthouse

The Bellscabin Guesthouse is a shared-dorm cottage nestled within Karuizawa’s forest greenery. A perfect place to embark on one of the many hiking trails in the vicinity, this guesthouse is by far the most economical place to stay in Karuizawa. They also have rooms segregated based on gender, which can be comforting to know for female travellers.

You can take a closer look at Bellscabin Guesthouse by clicking here

Mid-Range: Hotel Karuizawa Cross

The Hotel Karuizawa Cross is where we stayed, and we only have positive things to stay about it! Located near the famous Church Street (explains the name of the hotel), this hotel was super comfortable to stay in. I loved the modern design touches mixed in with the homeliness of the property. Loved the location as well, and the staff were always helpful and friendly. I would highly recommend staying here!!

You can take a closer look at Hotel Karuizawa Cross by clicking here.

Luxury: Le Grand Karuizawa Hotel and Resort

Karuizawa’s most luxurious resort is a playground for Japan’s elite, and you can see why! Tucked away in a gorgeous mountainous location, past guests at Le Grand Karuizawa Hotel and Resort have commented on how the scenery is something they could never forget in their lives.

You can take a closer look at Le Grand Karuizawa Hotel and Resort by clicking here.

Best Things To Do in Karuizawa

Karuizawa may be a quiet mountainous resort town, but there are many things to do here depending on your interests – whether it be shopping, hiking, checking out religious sights or experiencing good Japanese food – there’s something for everyone. Here are the best things to see and do in Karuizawa.

Shiraito Falls

The Shiraito Falls in Karuizawa is a pretty and multi-tier cascading waterfall that encapsulates Karuizawa’s relaxation vibes in a nutshell. Not to be confused with the Shiraito Falls in Fujinomiya in the Shizuoka Prefecture, this one in Karuizawa is smaller but still beautiful to look at and enjoy.

It takes about 30 minutes by car to reach Shiraito Falls from Karuizawa Station. If you don’t have access to a car, you can visit the falls (and combine it with some other attractions in this guide) by booking an English-speaking private driver here.

Kumoba Pond

Kumoba Pond was my favourite attraction in Karuizawa! When visiting in autumn, the trees surrounding the lake turn into an exquisite shade of burgundy, making the lake look truly unreal. It’s still beautiful to visit in the summer or other seasons, though.

This is a popular spot for locals to walk around, bicycle and go on picnic dates.

Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza

I’ve visited the Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza three times now and somehow I’ve always managed to buy a heap of stuff, even when I mentally prepare myself not to spend any money! This is a huge shopping complex with some truly outrageous outlet prices – my highlights were the Nike Outlet Store (must visit!!) and New Balance Outlet Store, but they also have designer brands such as such as Gucci and Prada.

To be honest, you could spend one whole day just exploring the shopping plaza.

Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Area

In the winter, Karuizawa turns into a snowy wonderland and one of the most popular ski resort areas in Japan. Due to its location close to Tokyo, many day trippers or weekenders take to the slopes at the Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Area to enjoy some skiing and snowboarding. A range of “runs” are available to skiers. I personally haven’t visited Karuizawa in winter, but it’s definitely on the bucket list for next time.

Old Karuizawa Ginza Shopping Street

The Old Karuizawa Ginza Shopping Street is the main pedestrian street in Karuizawa. It’s the perfect place for a casual stroll as you take in charming boutique stores, cafés and authentic Japanese restaurants.

This is quite a picturesque street because you have the view of Karuizawa’s green mountains in the background.

Harunire Terrace

Harunire Terrace is a casual, chic green space where the cool people hang out 😎. Stylishly minimalistic, it’s here that you can find a range of clothing boutiques, homeware stores, restaurants and aesthetic cafés.

Sengataki Falls

Visiting Sengataki Falls requires a short 1.6km hike through nature where you’ll be rewarded with a small, but picturesque fresh stream. Much less known than Shiraito Falls, this is a place where you can get away from it all due to its relative ‘hidden gem’ status.

Karuizawa Shaw Memorial Church

The Karuizawa Shaw Memorial Church is a quaint church made out of wood and was founded by a Canadian Anglican Missionary in 1895. Although humble in appearance, it is the oldest church in Karuizawa and also one of the most important. In recent years, it has attracted social media fame due to its gorgeous location nestled in the Karuizawa forest.

Stone Church

Speaking of Instagram-worthy churches, Stone Church has certainly made the rounds in the past, and you may have seen it come up on your Explore feed if you’re an architecture fan. Featuring a creative ‘telescope’ design, this church is certainly one of the most unique you will ever see.

Lake Shiozawa

Lake Shiozawa is another scenic lake in the area that turns especially gorgeous during the autumn foliage season. This lake is about a 7-minute drive from Karuizawa station.

Mount Asama

I’ve mentioned this mountain before, but hiking Mount Asama is one of the best things you can do in the Karuizawa area. Karuizawa is famous for its mountain scenery and there’s no better way to witness that than by going on a hike to the summit.

If you’re not confident about doing this yourself, then I would recommend this Mount Asama Trekking Tour where an English-speaking guide can help you.

Kusatsu Onsen

Just an hour by car from Karuizawa, the beautiful spa town of Kusatsu Onsen presents a perfect day trip opportunity from Karuizawa. If you’re looking for the classic Japanese Onsen experience, this is it.

How Many Days Should I Stay in Karuizawa?

I would recommend staying at least 3 full days in Karuizawa if you have that time up your sleeve. The beauty of Karuizawa is only fully unlocked by taking it slow, relaxing and absorbing the peaceful vibe of the town.

The perfect itinerary would be as follows: one day to explore the Prince Shopping Plaza, one day to explore Karuizawa’s main attractions, and one day to go on a scenic hike. If you’re short on time, you can cut out the first shopping day and just focus on the nature-based attractions.

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