Nestled high in the mountains between Tokyo and Nagano, Karuizuawa is a small resort town that attracts visitors at all times of year. Notably cooler than Tokyo in summer, beautiful in spring and autumn, and covered in snow through winter, Karuizawa has long attracted Tokyo-ites to its quiet and quaint streets.
Our ’25 Things To Do In & Around Karuizawa’ page introduces some to the many reasons to visit the town.
Karuizawa is in many ways, a town of two halves. Divided by Karuizawa Station – a convenient stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line running from Tokyo to Nagano and onto Kanazawa – the old area of town including Old Ginza Street shopping area and popular destinations including Shiraito Falls are located on the norther side of the station, while on the southern side Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza and Prince Hotel Snow Resort dominate the area.
Prince Shopping Plaza is a vast shopping outlet, boasting more than 200 stores and numerous resorts and cafes. Visitors are also spoiled for choice in terms of accommodation, boutique shops and restaurants – many of which are found in and around the Old Ginza Street area.
From Karuizawa, visitors can enjoy some of Central Japan’s best onsen (hot spring) towns including Kusatsu Onsen – accessible using local bus services from the station. Known for it’s iconic ‘yubatake’, Kusatsu Onsen is regularly cited as one of Japan’s most famous onsen towns.
Also nearby, Mount Asama and the Onioshidashi Volcanic Park is a truly unique destination, known for its dramatic beauty and rare alpine plants including naturally glowing – that’s right, glowing! – algae and lichen.
A visit to the park tells the dramatic story of the mountains that dominate Central Japan, an experience that entices you to explore further into the Joshinetsu Kogen Park and onto Mount Shirane, the Shiga-Kusatsu Kogen Route and ultimately onto the Jigokudani Monkey Park.
No matter when you are visiting Japan, Karuizawa is an always attractive and offers lots of outdoor activities in a truly beautiful setting.
This information is provided as part of our ‘Clean Green & Healthy’ campaign, allowing you to plan and book your future travel to Japan with peace of mind.
Snow Monkey Resorts: Nagano’s No.1 tour and charter operator
When planning and booking your trip to Karuizawa and Central Japan, it’s important that you can do so with confidence that your intended destinations will be both enjoyable and safe. As Nagano’s No.1-rated tour and charter operator, we offer a range of services including group tours, private tours and private charters to help you get the most out of your time in the region.
We can arrange transport to and from any destination in the region, with a customised itinerary to suit your travel needs. Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from any destination. Vehicles are fitted with a protective screen – separating the driver from passenger and luggage area – and our drivers wear protective masks, allowing you to move between your destinations in comfort and safety.
We can arrange both private tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter, including a private vehicle and driver but without a guide. We’d love to be part of that experience and help you discover even more!
Why choose us?
Got a question about visiting Karuizawa? Feel free to contact us and let’s get planning together!
