13 best things to do in Karuizawa: nature, restaurants, cafés and shops

This cosy café is located in the forest, just a short walk from the Kyu-Karuizawa shopping street. Suzu no Ne is open from 9am, and you can choose from four different breakfast options, such as a soup or quiche, while the lunch menu includes taco rice, pasta and curry dishes. However, we recommend the café’s french toast, topped with plenty of fruit.

The structure itself is a heritage listed building with a mysterious history. It’s not known exactly when it was built, but newspapers from the Meiji period (1868-1912) were found in the old structure during a renovation and the room layout is exactly the same as the summer residence of Alexander Croft Shaw, built in 1888. It’s also believed the building was relocated from the Kyu-Karuizawa shopping street to the forest at some point.

House 1138, 972 Kyu-Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano prefecture. 0267 31 6889. 9am-5pm, closed Wed. Note that Café Suzu no Ne is closed in winter.

Opened in 2015, Bakery and Restaurant Sawamura is the best address in town to get your hands on some freshly baked goodies. About 20 different types of domestic and imported flour are used based on each bread’s characteristics. Make sure to try the espresso bread that’s made with coarsely ground coffee beans, nuts, dried fruit and chocolate chips; or opt for the S-shaped baguette with chocolate chips and small red beans kneaded into the dough.

You can pick up your favourite treats at the bakery counter, or have a more substantial meal at the on-site restaurant. During lunch hours, we recommend trying one of the store’s hearty calzone pizzas.

12-8 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano prefecture. 0267 41 3777. Bakery 8am-8pm, restaurant until 9pm (last orders 8pm) daily.

Located close to the Kyu-Karuizawa shopping street, the exterior of Cafe L'Opera is inspired by William Shakespeare’s birthplace. Inside, the British Tudor-style architecture, with dark wooden pillars, visible plaster and stained glass, blocks out the rest of the world – as soon as you step inside, it feels like time has stopped. The cakes are homemade with regional fresh fruit and vegetables. As for drinks, opt for the store’s royal milk tea. It’s extremely delicious and served in a beautiful Royal Copenhagen tea set.

12-7 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano prefecture. 0267-42-7833. 10am-6pm, holidays vary, check website for details. Note that Cafe L'Opera is on winter break until mid-March.

This shopping street marks the centre of the Kyu-Karuizawa area, which was originally a post town along the Nakasendo road between Kyoto and Edo (modern-day Tokyo) during the Edo period (1603-1868). The Ginza shopping street runs along the old Nakasendo route and is home to a large variety of local shops. You can find souvenirs, local specialities such as fresh fruit and jam, art galleries and more. Make sure to drop by Icchodo, a furniture shop that’s famous for its beautiful sakura-shaped wood carvings. You’ll also find the main store of Boulangerie Asanoya, a Tokyo bakery that opened its Karuizawa branch way back in 1944.

Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano prefecture

This large outlet mall is located right next to Karuizawa Station and is home to shops selling popular fashion and luxury brands, outdoor goods, sportswear, kitchen utensils, children’s clothing and more. You’ll also find a number of cafés and food courts. Most other Karuizawa attractions close around 5pm, but Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza is usually open until around 8pm, so it’s a perfect place to visit in the evening. From November to March, the mall boasts a large illumination event with about 100,000 lights. You’ll have great views from the New East Deck, where the tree-shaped illuminations are reflected on the surface of the shopping centre’s large pond.

Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano prefecture (Karuizawa Station). 0267 42 5211. Hours vary by shop.

Harunire Terrace is part of the Karuizawa Hoshino area, a cluster of hotels, shops, churches and onsen set amidst lush nature. The facilities are managed by luxury resort hotel chain Hoshinoya. Harunire Terrace is made up of 16 shops and restaurants on a large wooden deck next to the Yukawa River. The area is surrounded by many Japanese elms, (harunire in Japanese).

Stop by Kokopelli to shop for jams, sauces and vegetables and be sure to pick up a smoothie or apple juice made from local produce to enjoy on a bench next to the river. You’ll also find restaurants and cafés specialising in Japanese, Italian, French and Chinese cuisine, as well as shops selling furniture and decorative items.

2145-5 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano prefecture (Naka-Karuizawa Station). 050 3537 3553. Hours vary by shop.

This beautiful classic Western-style hotel was established in 1894 and renamed the Mampei Hotel in 1896. The timber-framed exterior of its main building, built in 1936, resembles European half-timbered houses found in alpine regions. As soon as you step inside, it feels like travelling back in time – think retro furniture, stained glass, wooden ceilings and more. Mampei Hotel has modern guest rooms in its two annex buildings, but opt for a room in the main building to enjoy the fusion of Japanese and Western-style design. You’ll see glass shoji sliding doors, wooden furniture featuring Karuizawa’s sakura carvings, clawfoot bathtubs, tokonoma alcoves and more.

Several famous people have stayed at the hotel, including musician John Lennon, his wife Yoko Ono, and their daughter, who visited every summer. His room is the most popular in the main building  (tip: it’s room No 128).

You don’t have to stay at the hotel to take in some retro vibes. You can just visit the café terrace and enjoy a piece of traditional apple pie and a cup of royal milk tea, using a recipe provided by John Lennon himself. There’s also a little museum with lots of old photographs and furniture as well as Lennon’s old piano.

925 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano prefecture. 0267 42 1234.

Hoshinoya Karuizawa resort village features a number of luxury apartments within the area’s vast natural surroundings. You can choose from three room types, Mizunami, Yamaroji and Niwaroji. Mizunami (pictured above) is the most popular, featuring modern and spacious guesthouses centred around a small pond. Each guesthouse has a terrace that’s perfect for relaxing or enjoying a meal. Come night, paper lanterns float on the water’s surface, turning the resort into a magical hideaway.

Make sure to enjoy a meal at the hotel restaurant Kasuke. Opt for a multi-course kaiseki meal, which features beautifully arranged dishes made from the freshest seasonal produce of the region.

Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano prefecture. 0267 45 6000. There’s a shuttle bus from Karuizawa Station exclusively for hotel guests.