NAGANO JAPAN

Karuizawa & Kusatsu Onsen

Karuizawa & Kusatsu Onsen

Blessed with a cool climate in summer, beautiful leaves in autumn and snow in winter, Karuizawa is a popular mountain resort town located around 1000 metres above sea level. Easily accessible from the capital, the town is popular with Tokyoites who head to Karuizawa to escape the summer heat or enjoy the leaves of autumn in combination with the many hotels, restaurants and extensive shopping options. From Karuizawa, local buses run to destinations in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park including Mount Asama, Mount Shirane and Kusatsu Onsen – one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns.

25 THINGS TO DO AROUND KARUIZAWA & WHERE TO STAY

Karuizawa is one of Japan's most famous and popular mountain resort towns, offering a fantastic range of accommodation, dining and activities.

BOOK A PRIVATE TOUR

Based in Nagano, we can arrange private tours and charters from Karuizawa to the Snow Monkeys and more!

HARUNIRE TERRACE

Located around 4km from Karuizawa Station, Harunire Terrance is a stylish shopping and dining precinct.

JOSHINETSU KOGEN NATIONAL PARK

Discover Japan's fourth largest national park - a diverse alpine region and home to two of Japan's most active volcanoes.

KUSATSU ONSEN 'YUBATAKE'

Translating as 'hot water field', Kusatsu Onsen's 'yubatake' feeds the towns many hot spring guesthouses with abundant thermal water.

STAY IN KUSATSU ONSEN

Book an 'onsen' guesthouse in one of Japan's most famous and iconic hot spring towns.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

25 Things To Do Around Karuizawa & Where To Stay

Only 70-minutes from Tokyo using the Hokuriku Shinkansen, Karuizawa ...

25 Things To Do Around Kusatsu Onsen & Where To Stay

One of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns, Kusatsu Onsen sits high...

TOURS

[START FROM KARUIZAWA] Private Snow Monkey Tour

Karuizawa is a picturesque mountain town as popular in summer as it ...

ACCESS

How to Get to Karuizawa

Located approximately 170KM to the north-west of Tokyo, Karuizawa is...

How To Get To Kusatsu Onsen

As one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns, visiting Kusatsu Ons...

ACTIVITIES

Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza

Located directly across from Karuizawa Station, the Prince Shopping ...

Old Karuizawa Ginza Street

Karuizawa city is in many ways, a town of two halves divided by its ...

Harunire Terrace

Located in Naka-Karuizawa, approximately 4km to the west of the town...

Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-Yu

Only a short distance from Harunire Terrace, Hohino Onsen Tombo-no-y...

Shiraito Falls

Shiraito Falls is a small but scenic waterfall located in the forest...

Karuizawa Prince Hotel Snow Resort

Operated the Prince Hotel group, Karuizawa Ski Resort is perhaps the...

Hiroshi Senju Museum

Located in popular mountain resort town of Karuizawa, the Hirosthi S...

Onioshidashi Volanic Park

Said to be the most active volcano on Honshu – Japan’s main island –...

Kusatsu Onsen

Famous throughout for its abundant volcanic water and dramatic setti...

Kusatsu Onsen ‘Yubatake’

Lying in the heart of Kusatsu Onsen, the town’s ‘yubatake’ is an ico...

‘Yumomi’ Performance

‘Yumomi’ is a daily performance taking place in Kusatsu Onsen every ...

Mount Shirane

Located in the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park Mt. Shirane – often re...

HOTELS

Karuizawa Area

One of Japan’s most famous and oldest mountain resort towns, K...

Kusatsu Onsen Area

Regularly cited as one of Japan’s best hot spring towns, Kusat...

Manza Onsen Area

Manza Onsen is a small yet spread-out onsen town nestled within Josh...

Shima Onsen Area

Known as the ‘Forty Thousand Hot Spring’ town, Shima Onsen’s name mo...

Ikaho Onsen Area

Known for its iron-rich waters, the main feature of Ikaho Onsen is a...

Minakami Onsen Area

Nestled in a beautiful area of Gunma, Minakami Onsen is home to many...

EVENTS

Ueda Sanda Festival

The 34th Ueda Sanada Festival With Ueda being the hometown for the s...

BLOG

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Japan Set to Lower Travel Advisories for Certain Countries

It’s important to start this blog by saying that at this time, trave...

#SNOWMONKEYRESORTSLOCAL: Nagano in Autumn – ‘Koyo’ Season Will Soon Be Here!

Over the past week, the temperature has certainly begun to drop here...

#SNOWMONKEYRESORTSLOCAL: ‘Go To Travel’ Extended to Tokyo as of October 1st 2020

As highlighted in our recent blog article – ‘#SNOWMONKEYRESORTS LOCA...

#SNOWMONKEYRESORTSLOCAL: What is Japan’s ‘Go To Travel’ Campaign?

For our friends living in Japan, you have no doubt heard of the nati...

Using the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Visit Nagano & Central Japan – 50% Discounts Available from August 20th!

With the summer holidays in full swing, it’s a great time to visit C...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Kusatsu Onsen – One of Japan’s Most Famous Hot Spring Towns

Lying nearby Karuizawa, Kusatsu Onsen is one of Japan’s most famous ...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Eat, Shop, Play – Visit Karuizawa

Nestled high in the mountains between Tokyo and Nagano, Karuizuawa i...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Discover the Spirit of the 1998 Olympics

In our recent blog article ‘Clean Green & Healthy – Get Outdoors...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Get Outdoors & Get Back to Nature!

When thinking about your future travel to Japan, it’s a great time t...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Discover Central Japan

When researching and planning a visit to Japan, understanding the re...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Accessing Medical Assistance in Japan during COVID-19

In anticipation of the borders opening in future and travel resuming...

#TRAVELTOMORROW: Clean Green & Healthy – Choosing your Accommodation in Japan

When considering your future travel to Japan, one of the biggest dec...

SNOW MONKEY RESORTS
AREA MAP

Established in 1964, the Jigokudani Monkey Park is home to the only troop of monkeys in the world known to naturally bathe in hot springs. Open all-year-round, the park is one of Nagano's most popular destinations
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- ENZA CAFE
- HOTARUTEI
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- Kanbayashi Onsen Sendayaki (Fire Festival)
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Only 45 minutes from Nagano City and within easy reach of the Jigokudani Monkey Park and Shiga Kogen, Yudanaka and Shibu Onsen are blessed by numerous natural hot spring sources which feed their many guesthouses and public bathhouses
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Shiga Kogen is the largest and highest ski resort in Japan, boasting Nagano's longest season and most reliable snow; and located within the expansive Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Shiga offers just as much to do from spring to autumn as it does in winter
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Home to the Obuse Hokusai Museum and Gansho-in Temple along with lots of good restaurants, craft shops and a couple of ‘sake’ breweries, the small but historic town of Obuse is an easy day-trip from Nagano City
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- 15 Things To Do Around Obuse & Where To Stay
- How To Get To Obuse
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- [START FROM NAGANO CITY] Private Snow Monkey Tour
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- Nagano Dentetsu Line (Nagano–Yudanaka/Monkey Park)
- Nagano Dentetsu Line Timetable
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- Obuse Area
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Home to one of Japan's oldest and most important temples, Nagano City is your launching point from where to explore the region using train and bus services, including the Hokuriku Shinkansen, from Nagano Station
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One of Nagano's most popular ski resorts, Nozawa Onsen is boasts great powder, terrain and a lively village - which guarantees as much off the mountain as on it – while retaining much of its character as a traditional hot spring town
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- Snow Monkey Resorts Fleet of Charter Vehicles
- From Nozawa Onsen: How To Get To The Snow Monkey Park
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EVENTS
- Nozawa Onsen 'Dosojin' (Fire Festival)
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Home to the most popular and international ski resorts in Nagano, Hakuba Valley attracts skiers and snowboarders from all over the world while offering the best accommodation and dining of any ski area in the region
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The fabled 'Snow Walls' of the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route are at their best from April to May before the melting snow opens-up some of Japan’s best alpine hiking from July to November. Accessible from both Nagano and Toyama, this is one of Japan’s best travel experiences
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TOURS
- [Spring Only] 1-Day Tour From Nagano & Hakuba: Snow Walls Of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route
- (Summer & Autumn) 1-Day Tateyama-Kurobe Tour: Walking on the 'Roof of Japan'
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- Owara Kaze-no-Bon Festival
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Matsumoto Castle is a registered National Treasure and without question, the cultural heart of this engaging city; a beacon that calls you to explore the city and onto the beauty of the North Alps including Norikura and the alpine valley of Kamikochi
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Karuizawa is one of Japan's most popular resort towns, offering a little taste of Tokyo in the mountains including some of Nagano’s best accommodation, fine dining and shopping, and all within easy reach of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park
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- [START FROM KARUIZAWA] Private Snow Monkey Tour
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- Ueda Sanda Festival
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Located in the picturesque surrounds of Kiso Valley, the Nakasendo Trail follows the Edo Period (1603-1868) route once linking Kyoto and Tokyo. To this day, travelers can walk sections of the route including through the beautiful postal towns of Narai, Magome and Tsumago - a rare glimpse of traditional Japan in the 21st century
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TOURS
- 2-Day Private Tour: Matsumoto Castle, Nakasendo and Countryside Azumino
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- Kiso-Fukushima & Narai Area
- Magome, Tsumago & Nakatsugawa Area
EVENTS
- Narai-juku Ice Candle Festival
- Kaida Kogen Kamakura Snow Festival
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Known as the 'Sannomachi', Takayama's old town is famous for its preservation of Edo period streetscapes while also attracting foodies for its renowned ‘Hida beef’ and ‘Takayama ramen’ - all within easy reach of the World Heritage villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
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TOURS
- 2-Day Snow Monkey Tour: Nagano To Takayama via Matsumoto
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- Takayama Morning Markets
- Takayama Festival
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Only 20 minutes from Iiyama Station, Madarao Mountain Resort is known for its deep powder bowls, tree zones and fantastic backcountry along with mountain-biking and water activities from spring to autumn
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TOURS
- [START FROM NOZAWA/MADARAO] Private Snow Monkey Tour
- (Winter Only) 1-Day Tour From Nozawa & Iiyama: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake
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- Enjoy the Fruit of Nagano
- Fruit-picking Nearby JR Iiyama Station
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- Madarao & Iiyama Area
EVENTS
- Iiyama Nanohana Flower Festival
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Myoko Kogen consists of five main ski resorts jointly known for one thing – amazing powder, lots of it. Boasting some of Asia’s deepest powder and fantastic backcountry, the resorts of Myoko are waiting to be discovered
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Kanazawa is one of Japan’s most historic and rewarding destinations. A city of wealth and artistic achievement during the Edo Period, Kanazawa retains many historic attractions and districts along with some of Japan’s best gardens, museums, galleries, dining and shopping
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As the largest city in Central Japan, Nagoya is known for its modern industries, lively entertainment, great restaurants and plenty of shopping while putting visitors in reach of some fantastic regional destinations
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- Autumn Leaves of Korankei
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Lying around 2.5 hours to the west of Tokyo, Mount Fuji is a grand and awe-inspiring sight and without question, Japan’s most recognizable destination. Quite simply, it’s a must-see for anyone visiting this wonderful country
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Accessible via Echigo-Yuzawa Station, the area around Yuzawa includes the resorts of Gala Yuzawa, Naeba and Kagura; while in summer, Yuzawa plays host to Japan's largest music festival and provides acccess to the country's largest arts festival
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- Yuzawa Area
- Naeba Area
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- Fuji Rock Festival
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Tokyo is the economic, political and cultural centre of 21st century Japan. Impossible to define and inconceivable in size, the only way to really understand Tokyo is to dive in and experience it for yourself
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As of the seats of imperial power for more than one thousand years, Kyoto and Nara are the most historic cities in Japan while nearby Osaka is big, bold, brash and tremendous fun
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The most northern Japan’s four main islands, Hokkaido is a destination unto itself – a place where you’ll find wildlife and open spaces including pristine landscapes and vast national parks, and of course some of the world’s best powder skiing and snowboarding
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Famous for its beautiful landscapes including rugged coastline, historic 'onsen' villages, festivals, food and a couple of good ski resorts, Tohoku can be explored starting with the World Heritage shrine complex of Nikko
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From the global significance of Hiroshima to Himeji and its celebrated castle, Chugoku is a region known for its blend of cities and histories and as the launching point from where to discover the Seto Inland Sea along with Shikoku and its 88 temple pilgrimage
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