What to know
Karuizawa (軽井沢) is a chic mountain resort nestled at the foot of the active volcano Mount Asama in Nagano Prefecture. At an elevation of about 1000 meters, the town offers a refreshing escape from the summer heat. It was first promoted as a resort by Western expats in the late 1800s, and today many wealthy city dwellers own vacation homes here. Thanks to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, it's just over an hour from Tokyo.
Karuizawa offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including tennis, hiking, cycling, and golf in summer, as well as skiing and ice skating in winter. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities. The town lies along Japan's Romantic Road and is known for its beautiful autumn colors, typically peaking from mid-October to early November.
Visitor information
Practical details to check before planning this stop.
- Hours
- Closed
- Admission
- English name
- Original name
- Karuizawa
Verify details before visiting. Currency conversion is indicative and may vary over time.