Discover Karuizawa: Your Perfect Summer Getaway Near Tokyo

Summer in Tokyo can feel like being trapped in a giant steamer, with high temperatures almost daily. Walking around the city becomes challenging. Thus, finding a cool place to relax is a common wish for travelers and locals.

Today, I’ll introduce you to Karuizawa, located in Nagano Prefecture, which is only 1 hour away by train from Tokyo. It is one of the most beloved summer vacation destinations for locals.

Karuizawa is famous for its beautiful natural environment and rich historical background. Besides, it has numerous shopping streets with delicious restaurants and adorable shops.

In this article, I will provide a special cycling route for exploring Karuizawa and highlight attractions worth visiting during summer.

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1. Why do people like Karuizawa?

Karuizawa (軽井沢) is located in Nagano Prefecture, just about 1.5 hours by train from Tokyo. Thus, planning a short trip there is convenient for those staying in Tokyo.

The breathtaking natural environment in Karuizawa includes mountains, lakes, and falls. The relatively high sea level and tree shadow make outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling much easier in Summer.

Karuizawa’s deep historical and cultural heritage infuses the town with a distinctive humanistic ambiance. Historic architecture, galleries, and museums can be seen everywhere, but it would be time-consuming to visit each one.

Thus, if you only briefly stay in Karuizawa, I recommend renting a bicycle to start your journey. Of course, you can also book a tour of Tokyo using the link below!

<<Karuizawa & Kawagoe One Day Tour from Tokyo>>

2. Cycling around Karuizawa

Riding a bicycle sightseeing around Karuizawa is a popular way to explore the town. There are many bicycle rental stores near the Karuizawa Station. The price and the return time differ from store to store, so you may consider renting one based on your own budget and schedule.

Here, I recommend a particular cycling route in Karuizawa that includes natural attractions and historical shopping streets. I hope it inspires you for your trip.

Stop 1: Harunire Terrace Area

Stone Church (20 minutes from Karuizawa Station)

After renting your bike near Karuizawa Strain, you will head to the Harunire Terrace area. The first place you will stop to visit is the Stone Church, designed by American architect Kendrick Kellogg and highly recognizable for its appearance. The design philosophy, “organic and natural,” is reflected in the church’s stone construction, where you can hear the sound of flowing water and view the outside scenery through the windows.

It feels like you’re in a natural cave, yet it’s not enclosed; sunlight streams into the church, creating a serene and healing atmosphere. Adjacent to the church is the Nakaura Kanzo Memorial Hall, which exhibits the life and philosophy of Kanzo Nakaura, Japan’s first non-churchist. His belief was that people should integrate with nature and not be confined by formality or religion.

Karuizawa Kogen Church (1 minute from Stone Church )

Karuizawa Kogen Church is extremely close to the Stone Church. In 1921, a group of people gathered here to discuss artistic ideas, disregarding their identities and religions, simply aiming to communicate with sincerity. This began Hoshino Gakudo and the precursor to the Kogen Church.

Surrounded by dense forest, the church’s triangular roof creates a warm and romantic atmosphere reminiscent of a fairy tale. Both Kogen Church and the Stone Church are popular wedding venues in Japan. If you happen to visit during a wedding, you must wait until the ceremony is over to tour the church.

Every summer, the Kogen Church hosts a special summer event called Summer Candle Night (2024 is from August 1st to August 31st, by reservation only). Candles in glass lanterns decorate the surrounding woods, enveloping visitors in the warm glow of candlelight and the tranquil night sky. It’s a fantastic chance to experience the romantic summer nights of Karuizawa.

Harunire Terrace (2 minutes from Karuizawa Kogen Church)

A short distance from the two churches is a picturesque resort town, Harunire Terrace, part of the Hoshino Group. This beautiful area has a variety of distinctive shops and several relaxation areas where you can enjoy a leisurely walk and completely unwind.

Grab a cup of the famous Maruyama Coffee and sit by the stream to enjoy your drink while viewing the scenery. The cool breeze adds to the relaxing atmosphere, and having lunch nearby is also an excellent choice.

Stop 2: Kumoba Pond (20 minutes from Harunire Terrace )

After a short rest at the Harunire Terrace Area, you will head to the Kumoba Pond, often referred to as Swan Lake. Its tranquil waters mirror the crystal blue sky and white clouds, offering gorgeous views year-round. The pond is relatively small, and you can enjoy a casual bike ride along its perimeter. In the summer, the area is lush with greenery. Besides, wearing long sleeves during your visit is a good idea to protect you from mosquitoes and other insects.

Stop 3: Historic Mikasa Hotel (10 minutes from Kumoba Pond )

The Historic Mikasa Hotel is an elegant wooden building known for its grand exterior. It was built by Yamamoto Naoyoshi, a prominent Japanese entrepreneur involved in the cruise ship industry, and Meiji Seika.

It officially opened in May 1906 during the Meiji era. The hotel’s interior is exquisitely decorated, but it is currently closed for renovation. The museum is about to reopen in the summer of 2025.

Stop 4: Old Karuizawa Ginza Street (8 minutes from Historic Mikasa Hotel)

A 10-minute bike ride from the Historic Mikasa Hotel will bring you to the Old Karuizawa Ginza Street entrance. This area is home to many well-known cafés, snack shops, unique boutiques, and shoe stores. If you’re looking for souvenirs, this is the perfect place.

I list five stores that you might want to visit. Among them, Boulangerie Asanoya and French Bakery were filming locations for the movie Quartet.

★SNOOPY Chaya Karuizawa
★SnoopyMiffy Mori No Kitchen & Bakery Karuizawa Store
★Donguri Kyowakoku (Ghibli Store) Karuizawa
★Boulangerie Asanoya
★French Bakery

After visiting Old Karuizawa Ginza Street, you should head to the bicycle rental store to return your bike. If you would like to spend more time in the Karuizawa area, the following attractions are strongly recommended.

3. Other Main attractions in Karuizawa

Kumanokotai Shrine

Located at Usui Pass in Karuizawa, at 1,200 meters and surrounded by forests, this site appears to be a single shrine. However, it actually comprises two separate shrines merged into one location. On the left is the Kumanokotai Shrine (熊野皇大神社) of Nagano Prefecture, while on the right is the Usuitoge Kumano Shrine (碓氷峠 熊野神社) of Gunma Prefecture. Each shrine conducts its activities and sells its Omamori (Japanese amulets) separately.

Usui Pass Observation Platform

Usui Pass Observation Platform is a scenic spot near the Kumanokotai Shrine at the border of two prefectures. It’s a must-visit location for photography enthusiasts in Karuizawa. From here, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding mountains, and on a clear day, you might even see Mount Fuji.

Notably, the Usui Pass Observation Platform is one of Nagano Prefecture’s famous spots for viewing autumn foliage. The mountains are blanketed in lively reds in the fall, creating a breathtaking landscape.

Shiraito Falls

The charm of Shiraito Falls, which stands 3 meters high and 70 meters wide, lies not in its grand scale but in the hundreds of delicate streams cascading down the rocks like silk threads, creating a graceful and elegant scene. Visiting in the summer is primarily recommended when the calm, refreshing atmosphere adds to the experience.

Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza

This place is renowned as the most beautiful outlet, with a large green field and a pond in the center. Additionally, there is an outdoor playground for children, and it is very pet-friendly. Rather than being just a shopping center, it feels more like part of a resort.

Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza has over 200 stores, making it the largest mall in the Karuizawa area and one of the top ten largest outlet malls in Japan. It is an excellent choice for dining, entertainment, or shopping.

4. Transportation Information

In the case you want to go to Karuizawa by train from Tokyo, there are two main ways you can do this.

1. Take the bullet train from Tokyo Station to Karuizawa Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen)

2. From Shinjuku Station, take the Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Omiya. Then take the bullet train from Omiya to Karuizawa Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen).

You can book your Shinkansen tickets using the following link!

<<Book Shinkansen Tickets Here>>

View InformationHide

Information

Official Website	https://visitkaruizawa.com/en/
Nearest station	Karuizawa Station

In the end

Karuizawa is worth visiting not only during the summer but also throughout other seasons. You will be surprised at how changeable it can be. Spring in pink is perfect for cherry blossom viewing, the vibrant autumn is ideal for hiking, and the snow-covered winter is great for skiing. In any case, you won’t be disappointed with a trip here.

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