Karuizawa Resort

Karuizawa

Karuizawa Resort

The best resort in Japan for the World

#41 of 201
most visited in Japan

Karuizawa (軽井沢) is an upmarket mountain resort at the foot of the active volcano Mount Asama in Nagano Prefecture. Located at an altitude of roughly 1000 meters, the town provides a pleasant escape from the summer heat. It was promoted as a mountain resort by Western residents of Japan in the late 1800s, and today many wealthy urbanites own a second home there. Thanks to the Hokuriku Shinkansen it takes little more than an hour to reach Karuizawa from central Tokyo.

Various outdoor activities, such as tennis, hiking, cycling, golfing in summer, also skiing and ice skating in winter can be enjoyed in Karuizawa, & there are ample shopping opportunities. Karuizawa is located along Japan’s Romantic Road, & it offers nice autumn colors typically around mid October to early November each year.

Top Attractions


Kyu-Karuizawa


Central town with nice shops and restaurants.

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Naka-Karuizawa


Secondary town center with a few sites of interest.

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Onioshidashi Park


Landscape of volcanic rocks on Mount Asama.

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Shiraito Waterfall


A very wide waterfall in the middle of the forest.

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Usui Pass Deck


Observation deck with views onto mountains.

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Access & Orientation