Kitasaku District Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

Ski Resort an hour from Tokyo

#skiadventure About an hour from Tokyo using the Hokuriku Shinkansen, Karuizawa is one of Japan’s oldest and most famous mountain resort towns among the people in Japan. The ski resort use snow machines to guarantee snow no matter the weather. The use of the snow machines allows the resort to open from early November to April If you going to Tokyo can consider going to Karuizawa for a break

summer vacation

Karuizawa

#thingstodo This ski slope is another convenient location , 10 min walk from the Shinkansen station. The slopes are short and mainly for beginners though. It’s not as well organized as Gala Yuzawa. Definitely book your ticket and rentals online in advance because the lines are really long. Also, what I didn’t know is you get both your rental and lift tickets by scanning a QR code. Then you take your printed receipt to the rental shop. Be warned there are very few lockers and otherwise there is a luggage check where you can store your bags while you ski for 1000 yen. This is in the Snow House. Also there are many ski schools here so expect tons of tiny kids and instructors. Lift lines will be long, no getting around that. All in all it’s fine for a light half day of skiing. Nothing special but still convenient.

The hotel ceiling in my mind

📍Hoshino Resorts KAI Karuizawa📍 📮Address: 2148 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture 389-0111, Japan 👉About the hotel🏨 I particularly like a saying by Tsuji Shuichi, he said all the answers in life can be obtained from nature And when you enter Hoshino Resorts KAI Karuizawa, no matter where you are, you are close to nature The breath of the forest is just around the corner, and coexistence with nature is the theme here Here you just want to enter a state of rest, let your body, let your soul get a good rest 〰️ The rooms here are built along the terrain to maintain the original beautiful scenery The experience of different room types will be completely different 〰️ Each room is an open design facing the scenery, letting the scenery live in the room The trees, terraces, and small streams here have retained their natural appearance Even the design of the lighting here will become part of the scenery In order to perfectly blend with nature, even the geothermal energy uses the hot spring heat from the mountain A real travel experience of communicating with nature 👉About the room type 1️⃣Water Wave Room You can feel the echo of the slowly flowing water sound indoors 2️⃣Mountain Road Room From the balcony of the room, you can see the different scenery of the entire valley village in the four seasons, and the sound of birdsong and leaf friction can relax you 3️⃣Courtyard Room The detached room is more suitable for a family to stay in, and the privacy and independence are more obvious 👉About dining All restaurants are basically cooked with seasonal ingredients 1️⃣Main Restaurant ('Kasuke' offers Japanese cuisine with the theme of 'Mountain Kaiseki') Breakfast time: 7:00 - 10:30 Dinner time: 17:30-20:30 Dinner room delivery time: 17:40 - 21:00 Other restaurants 2️⃣No One's Recipe (French cuisine) 3️⃣Bleston Court Yukawatan (French cuisine) 4️⃣Villager's Cafeteria (Japanese casual restaurant) 5️⃣Elm Street Town (a small shopping street with various cuisines)

Stone Church inside a forest

Name📝: Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Stone Church Address 📍: Hoshino, Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano 389-0111, Japan Nearest train station 🚉: NakaKaruizawa 中輕井澤(20 minute walk) Famous for ✨: its stone architecture, its location being inside the forest, it’s tranquility and the beautiful view it has Tourist spots nearby 👀: ⛪️ Karuizawa kogen church (1 minute walk) - another church inside the forest with tall trees surrounding it 🐦 Karuizawa Wild Bird Forest (10-15 minute walk)- with beautiful lake, birdwatching tour and binocular rental available #nagano #japan #Nakakurizawa

Tokyo Karuizawa

Karuizawa, as a peripheral travel destination of Tokyo, can be reached in just over an hour by Shinkansen from Tokyo. Known as the 'back garden of Tokyo', it is a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the comfort of nature. 🚘Chartered tour route: 1️⃣.Tokyo→Highland Church→Stone Church→Elm Street Town→Old Karuizawa Ginza→Kumobaike 2️⃣Villager's Cafeteria→Hoshino's Forest→White Silk Waterfall→Prince Shopping Plaza→Tokyo ✅Transportation: Chartered car tour ✅Attractions Introduction: Highland Church A landmark building in Karuizawa, the huge triangular building is surrounded by trees. Even if you only visit the outside, you will be intoxicated. If it is Christmas season, there will be a light show at night, which is very festive. Stone Church A church built of stone is very characteristic and simply too beautiful! You must visit the interior of the Stone Church, which is quiet and sacred. Many lovers will hold weddings here. Elm Street Town Eat, drink and shop along the wooden plank road, as if walking in the forest. There are also high-end brands and coffee shops here. Old Karuizawa Ginza The oldest shopping street in Karuizawa, the street has many restaurants and specialty shops. John Lennon's favorite coffee shop French Bakery and popular souvenir natural jam SAWAYA Zeyaya are on this street. Kumobaike Known as Swan Lake, the quiet water surface reflects the green trees, and it is beautiful all year round. Villager's Cafeteria There are limited delicacies in each season, and you need to wait a long time for a seat, but you can stroll around nearby. Bird's Forest It's great for running in the summer. You can observe more than 80 kinds of birds here. Children who like animals and plants can come and visit. White Silk Waterfall One of the must-visit attractions, the water flow is like several white silk threads connected, and you can't help but marvel at the beauty of nature's craftsmanship after being there. Prince Shopping Plaza It's very close to Karuizawa Station. You can take a walk before returning. It has all kinds of outlet brands. Sisters who like shopping don't miss it.

Karuizawa's light and shadow

I remember going to Karuizawa during the May Day holiday and staying at the Prince Hotel next to the Outlet! The hotel environment is very beautiful and quiet! There are small wooden houses scattered in a large forest, each with its own independent hot spring and good privacy. Shopping nearby is also convenient! Karuizawa is a great place for a leisurely vacation. Drink some coffee, eat some desserts 🍮, visit the Stone Church and the Highland Church, feel the churches, trees, grass and shadows under the sunshine, and feel refreshed! Being here can calm down your restless heart, discover the beauty that you haven't noticed before, think about things that you didn't have time to think about in the past, settle some things, discard some burdens, and a short vacation allows you to travel light and start again!

Karuizawa day trip

Verry pretty church.

#travel #japan #wintergetaway

Karuizawa | Shopping & Sightseeing!

The Prince Shopping Plaza is a pretty big outlet!They also have a park where you can spend the entire day with your children.The autumn foliage in the area is also stunning. They have high-end branded stores such as Gucci, Balenciaga, and others.It is recommended that you bring a map of the merchandise store that you wish to visit. I'm taking the Tokyo Wide Pass, which includes a shinkansen ride to Karuizawa Jr Station. An overhead bridge connects the mall to the station. #fallishere

Must go outlet in Karuizawa

Name 📝: Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza (Karuizawa Outlet) Address📍: Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano 389-0102, Japan (right outside Karuizawa train station) Nearest train station 🚉: Karuizawa 輕井澤 Famous for ✨: -the size and number of shops there and the sale, special sale and time sale -being a must-go place if you go to Karuizawa -the discount can be 50-70% off Tourist spots nearby 👀: 🛍️ Old Karuizawa Ginza Street for shopping (15 minute walk) 💦 Kumoba Pond (12 minute walk) #karuizawa #nagano #japan

Kumoba Pond: Nature's Tranquil Symphony! 🌲✨

Embark on a journey to tranquility at Karuizawa's hidden jewel – Kumoba Pond in Kitasaku-gun! 🌲 Nestled amidst nature's embrace, this pristine pond captivates with its mirror-like surface reflecting the beauty of the surrounding forest. Take a leisurely stroll along the tranquil pathways, where each step unveils a new dimension of serenity. The rhythmic dance of swaying trees and the symphony of birdsong create a harmonious escape. Kumoba Pond is not just a destination; it's a portal to a realm where time slows, and nature's whispers rejuvenate the soul. 🌿✨ #KaruizawaBliss #KumobaPondMagic #NatureRetreat

Kumoba Pond in Karuizawa

Nearest train station 🚉: Karuizawa 輕井澤 Address 📍: Kyūkaruizawa-1181-4 Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano 389-0102, Japan Famous for ✨: 🫧 the calm and smooth surface of the lake which often reflects the sky and the cloud - that’s why its Chinese name actually means “pond where clouds gather” 🦆 the many ducks in the pond Tourist spots nearby 👀: 🛍️ Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza (15 minute walk) 🛤️ Old Karuizawa Ginza Street with many shops and restaurants (12 minute walk) #karuizawa #nagano #japan

#tripaway Feb 2020~Karuizawa Ski Trip! Karuizawa Ski resort, the nearest ski resort from Tokyo. Travelling time: Hokuriku bullet train less than 2 hours, local train and bus within 4-5 hours. Japan, one of the favourite winter spots for skiers during winter season from December throughout March every year. You can ski through the powder snow but not in this ski resort and falls on the snow while enjoying scenic mountain views. Have a hot beverage or ice cream while enjoying the colourful crowds. Enjoy local authentic meals after the hectic exercises and to relax your mind and body in an outdoor Onsen! #tripaway

#freehotelstay Karuizawa prince hotel snowboarding