Karuizawa is a town situated in Nagano prefecture. Considered as a resort town, you can enjoy a lot of recreational activities including onsen, skiing, and other popular winter sports.
If you have some plans of taking a trip to Karuizawa, check the list of the best things that you can do while in the area. An amazing trip awaits you so explore everything and enjoy the journey!
Contents
【1】Listen to the sound of nature at Shiraito Falls
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| Name | Karuizawa Shiraito Falls |
|---|---|
| Address | Yamanouchicho Shiga Kogen Hasuike, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun 389-0100, Nagano Prefecture |
| Operating Hours | 24 hours |
| Holiday | None |
What else can be more magical than this?! It’s a bit exaggerated but the place really is unbelievably beautiful especially when you visit here during autumn season. It is so peaceful and it’s better to come in early in the morning around 6 or 7 AM and you’ll know how tranquil this place can be. It is also good spot for meditation process.
The location is not so close to the station so you need to ride on a bus to get there. The fare is ¥710 for a 25-minute one way ride from Karuizawa Station, and get off at Shiraito no Taki bus stop.
【2】Witness a unique place: Hiroshi Senju Museum
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| Name | Hiroshi Senju Museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 815 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun 389-0194, Nagano Prefecture |
| Operating Hours | 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Holiday | Tuesday |
This museum is worth a visit just to see the building in which it is housed. The single-story structure is an extraordinary work, but for some bizarre reason, photographs inside are prohibited.
The art collection is quite mundane, mostly with bland landscape works. The highlight of the collection was a sound and light show that was surprisingly moving. The museum should really change its policy and allow photography.
【3】Watch rare animals at Picchio Visitor Center
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| Name | Picchio |
|---|---|
| Address | Nagakura 2148, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun 389-0194, Nagano Prefecture |
| Operating Hours | 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Holiday | None |
Picchio, established 1992, offers fine eco-tours and nature tours such as Bird watching tour, Flying squirrel watching tour and other animal watching tours. We currently have 12 professional guide that specializes on wild animals and birds and more than 39,000 participants joined our tour in 2012.We also conserves wild animals such as Asian Black Bear since 1998.
【4】Take some hot bath at Sengataki Onsen Karuizawa
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| Name | Sengataki Onsen Karuizawa |
|---|---|
| Address | Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun 389-0198, Nagano Prefecture |
| Operating Hours | Weekdays 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM Weekends/Holidays/Special Days 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Holiday | None |
The place is highly recommended especially if you’re already in Karuizawa and wanted to relax before going back to Tokyo. They have big indoor and outdoor baths. It’s clean and relaxing, especially outside where you can see stars and the bright moonlight.
One of the staffs speaks basic English and English instructions are available. There are also massage chairs in the lobby, you can pay 100 yen for 10 minute usage.
【5】Shop your heart’s desire at Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
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| Name | Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza |
|---|---|
| Address | Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun 389-0102, Nagano Prefecture |
| Operating Hours | 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Holiday | None |
This is a huge outlet area. Get your bearings by looking at a map because it is not 1 contiguous mall but several houses. On one end is the JR train station, at the other end is the access towards the Karuizawa Prince Hotel East and the separate Kruizawa Prince Hotel West. The ski resort is next door to the East hotel.
It is a good suggestion to bring a backpack, or a stroller bag or a stroller to lug around the shopping stuff or else it is very tiring. As a typical food area in Japan, looking for a table is an adventure in itself. There are people who eat outdoor, and there are lots of dog lovers who bring their dogs to this place, and thus there is an area almost dedicated to shopping for pet lovers.
