Karuizawa is one of the most popular destinations near Tokyo. Famous for its beautiful scenery and convenient access—just an hour from Tokyo Station by Shinkansen—it's a beloved vacation spot even for locals! So, what are the must-see attractions? How should you plan your itinerary? This article provides the ultimate guide to Karuizawa, making it easy to add this suburban trip to your Tokyo itinerary. Let's experience the unique charm of Karuizawa together!

Karuizawa Day Trip｜Where is Karuizawa?

In the eyes of the Japanese, Karuizawa is a very popular summer retreat. Located on a plateau 1,000 meters above sea level in Nagano Prefecture, the average temperature during the hot summer is only around 20°C (68°F). With pleasant scenery and climate year-round, it's no wonder it attracts tourists throughout the year!

Karuizawa Day Trip｜Getting to Karuizawa from Tokyo

Getting from Tokyo to Karuizawa is very convenient, with the fastest journey taking just one hour.

▌From Tokyo/Ueno - Shinkansen (Bullet Train)

From Tokyo, the fastest way is undoubtedly the "Hokuriku Shinkansen." You can board at 【Tokyo Station】 or 【Ueno Station】 for a direct ride to Karuizawa. Depending on the train service, the journey takes about 60 to 80 minutes. A one-way non-reserved seat ticket costs ¥5,490 from Tokyo Station and ¥5,280 from Ueno Station.

The one-way fare might seem pricey. If your itinerary includes visits to three or more destinations near Tokyo (like Nikko, Izu, or Kawaguchiko), consider getting the "JR TOKYO Wide Pass" (¥15,000 for adults). It offers unlimited rides on all JR East trains and Shinkansens, including the Hokuriku Shinkansen, Tohoku Shinkansen, and the Narita Express, for three consecutive days. A round trip to Karuizawa combined with another day trip already makes the pass worthwhile!

▌From Tokyo City - Highway Bus

You can also take a highway bus from central Tokyo. Buses to Karuizawa depart from Tokyo Station, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, and Shinagawa. The fare is cheaper than the Shinkansen (from ¥2,500 one-way, ¥4,500 round-trip), but the journey is longer and subject to traffic, taking about 3-4 hours. This is better suited for travelers staying in Karuizawa for more than a day.

▌From Tokyo City - Chartered Car / Rental Car

For a more relaxed tour of Tokyo's suburbs without being tied to train or bus schedules, you can opt for a chartered car or self-drive. Local chartered car services offer English-speaking drivers and customizable itineraries, making them ideal for family trips.

If you're using "Toyota Rent A Car," there's a convenient pick-up point right next to Karuizawa Station.

Karuizawa Day Trip｜Attractions Map

To help you plan your day trip, I've created a "Karuizawa Attractions Google Map":

Karuizawa's attractions are mainly divided into three areas: the Prince Hotel Area near the station, the Kyu-Karuizawa (Old Karuizawa) Area, and the Hoshino Area.

◆ Prince Hotel Area: Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza Outlet, Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort, Karuizawa Prince Hotel

◆ Kyu-Karuizawa Area: Kumoba Pond, St. Paul's Catholic Church, Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Street

◆ Hoshino Area: Hoshino Resorts, Karuizawa Kogen Church, Stone Church, Shiraito Falls, Hoshino Onsen, etc.

Karuizawa Day Trip｜Getting Around Karuizawa

The three areas—Prince Hotel Area, Kyu-Karuizawa Area, and Hoshino Area—are somewhat spread out. So how should you plan your travel between them?

If you can ride a bike, you can rent one from "Shironeko Cycle" at the North Exit of Karuizawa Station. The roads in town are flat, making cycling effortless.

For travel between Karuizawa Station and the Hoshino or Kyu-Karuizawa areas, you can take the Seibu Kanko Bus (for Hoshino Area) or the Kusakaru Kotsu Bus (for Kyu-Karuizawa). However, services are infrequent, so it's best to check the timetable before you go. Both can be boarded at the bus terminal at the North Exit of Karuizawa Station.

If you plan to stay in Karuizawa for about three hours or more and the weather is good, walking is also a great option. Just like on my Karuizawa day trip, I explored all the sights on foot!

Attractions｜1. Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza

The most popular attraction in Karuizawa is definitely the Prince Shopping Plaza! Located right next to the station, this is a massive brand outlet mall. Major brands like Adidas, Aigle, Coach, GAP, Gucci, Prada, Nike, YSL, and more have stores here, offering significant discounts. It's a great place for a shopping spree!

If you're traveling with your furry friend, this place is also pet-friendly, so you can shop together!

Attractions｜2. Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort

This ski resort is one of the most family-friendly ski destinations near Tokyo, with sixteen trails of varying difficulty. It's typically open from November to late March. With five beginner and children's trails and a dedicated kids' snow park, it's an excellent place for ski novices or anyone wanting to try skiing.

If you plan to ski, remember to book lift tickets and ski equipment online in advance for early-bird discounts! Several Prince Hotels are located right next door, making it a perfect winter itinerary to stay overnight for an extra day.

Attractions｜3. St. Paul's Catholic Church

Karuizawa has many churches, and St. Paul's Catholic Church in Old Karuizawa is particularly distinctive. Designed in 1935 by Czech architect Antonin Raymond, its extensive use of wood is very appealing!

When visiting a church for the first time, don't forget to go inside and make three sincere wishes!

It features a large pipe organ, and many couples choose to get married here!

Attractions｜4. Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Street

Karuizawa has a history of over a hundred years, and the Old Ginza Street is its most bustling souvenir street! It's about a 5-minute bus ride or a 10-minute bike ride from Karuizawa Station. Here you can buy many souvenirs, such as Western-style sweets from Shirakabado and local jams. Arriving at dusk, the sunset combined with falling snow is absolutely enchanting!

Attractions｜5. Kumoba Pond

This is an absolute must-visit spot in Karuizawa! "Kumoba Pond" (Kumoba-ike), also known as "Swan Lake," is about a ten-minute bike ride or a 20-minute walk from Karuizawa Station.

It got its nickname because many swans gather here. The scenery changes beautifully with the seasons. When I visited in winter, the frozen lake surface combined with snowfall was a breathtaking sight!

"Shiraito no Taki" (Shiraito Falls) is another popular spot, especially with tour groups. The waterfall is about 70 meters wide, with water constantly flowing out from the forest, creating a beautiful scene. However, this attraction is quite far from other spots in Karuizawa, so consider your schedule before deciding to visit. (Image from Shizuoka Tourism Bureau)

Attractions｜7. Karuizawa Kogen Church

Founded in 1921, Kogen Church is the oldest church in Karuizawa. Its giant triangular wooden architecture, set amidst a dense forest, is truly captivating. (Image from official website)

Attractions｜8. Stone Church Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Hall

In addition to the two wooden churches mentioned above, the "Stone Church" has a one-of-a-kind design. It is considered one of the top five churches in Japan! (Image from official website)

Attractions｜9. Harunire Terrace

Located near the Hoshino Resort area, "Harunire Terrace" (Elm Tree Town) is composed of nine wooden buildings housing cafes, souvenir shops, and famous restaurants like "Maruyama Coffee" and "Kawakami-an." It's a great place to stroll around! (Image from Hoshino Resort)

Must-Eats｜ASANOYA Bakery

Located on Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Street, "ASANOYA Bakery," founded in 1933, is a must-try with nearly a century of history. It's a paradise for bread lovers!

They offer bread made with various local Shinshu ingredients, and it's always crowded when fresh batches come out of the oven. You can get takeout or sit inside, enjoying soft, delicious bread while watching the snow fall on Ginza Street!

We were also lucky enough to see an adorable Shiba Inu taking a stroll here!

Must-Eats｜Terakoya Honpo

This shop, "Terakoya Honpo," specializes in senbei (rice crackers) made from 100% glutinous rice, as well as dango, dorayaki, and ice cream. Everything is made with local Shinshu miso, perfect for warming up on a cold winter day!

Must-Eats｜Onzoushi Kiyoyasu-an

I found this place near the station in the evening. It's a family-style restaurant serving hamburg steak and curry in the "Aji no Machi" (Taste Town) section of the Prince Shopping Plaza. I initially chose it simply because it was less crowded and the wait was short, which was convenient for catching my train back to Tokyo. However, the sizzling plate curry was surprisingly good and worth adding to your list.

Must-Visit｜Snoopy Village

Snoopy fans, you can't miss this! The Snoopy Village in Karuizawa is a two-story shop with plenty of Karuizawa-exclusive Snoopy merchandise and a themed cafe!

Located in the Shinshu region, Karuizawa's most famous products are, of course, local specialties! Must-buy souvenirs include jams, handicrafts, Shinshu wagashi (Japanese sweets), and beer, which can be found in souvenir shops at the station, Ginza Street, and Harunire Terrace. Here are some of my finds from Karuizawa:


This is a must-buy! A dessert made with a whole Shinshu apple, featuring flaky pastry wrapped around a delicious apple cake filling!



This award-winning baumkuchen (tree cake) tastes amazing!

Shinshu-limited KitKats! Karuizawa's nights are also beautiful! Strolling through the streets, seeing the quaint buildings under a blue and crimson sky feels like being in an ancient town. Plus, the limited-time Christmas illuminations were simply stunning!

Before leaving, don't forget to get a commemorative stamp at Karuizawa Station!

Finally, amidst a snowy landscape, we completed our Karuizawa day trip.