Karuizawa sits just over an hour from central Tokyo by shinkansen, drawing visitors with its cooler mountain air, forested scenery, and rich history as a summer retreat. Travelers arrive at Karuizawa Station and immediately access extensive shopping plazas, historic streets, and walking trails leading to scenic waterfalls. The area features a mix of Japanese and Western architecture, including historic hotels where famous figures like John Lennon stayed, alongside modern art museums and hot springs.
Two Days in Karuizawa: Mampei Hotel and Shiraito Falls with Sam and Victor
Sam and Victor travel from Tokyo to Karuizawa by Shinkansen to spend two days exploring the mountain town. On the first day, they visit the historic Mampei Hotel, which was famously favored by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, before walking along the Ginza shopping street. They also spend time at the nearby outlet mall for some afternoon shopping. The second day of their itinerary includes stops at a forest cafe and the scenic Shiraito Falls. Finally, they visit the Hiroshi Senju Museum and Harunire Terrace before heading back to Tokyo Station.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Mampei Hotel
- 💡 Best for: Weekend Travelers, Couples
Food Stops and Terrace House Locations with Ralph and Sam
Ralph and Sam highlight the dining and sightseeing options in Karuizawa, sharing locations that were featured on the show Terrace House: Opening New Doors. They walk through Old Karuizawa Ginza Street to visit several local food spots. The couple stops at Chozumeya for sausages, Boulangerie Asanoya for baked goods, and Mikado Coffee for their famous treats. Their food tour also includes meals at Kawakamian and Suju Masayuki Restaurant. They conclude their guide by exploring the nature trail at Shiraito Waterfall and visiting the Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Old Karuizawa Ginza Street
- 💡 Best for: Foodies, Reality TV Fans
Exploring Pottery and Countryside Living in Kita Karuizawa with Roy and Aimee
Roy and Aimee travel to Karuizawa to examine the lifestyle, real estate, and vacation homes of this resort town. They showcase the mountain scenery and stylish local cafes before heading into the neighboring area of Kita Karuizawa. Here, they visit friends who established a local guesthouse and pottery studio. The hosts participate in a hands-on pottery experience with Hiroko at Deep Gorge Pottery. Afterward, they travel through the surrounding agricultural town of Tsumagoi to show what it is like living and working in the region.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Deep Gorge Pottery
- 💡 Best for: Nature Lovers, Art Enthusiasts
Three-Day Shopping and Dining Itinerary: Harunire Terrace to Kumano Kotai Shrine
Sana shares a three-day itinerary of Karuizawa, focusing on family-friendly spots and Ghibli-inspired scenery. She begins with shopping and dining at Harunire Terrace, where she eats soba at Kawakami-an. She then walks down the Old Karuizawa Ginza Shopping Street to check out themed character shops, including the Ghibli-themed Donguri Republic. Her trip continues with a visit to Kumano Kotai Shrine and a meal of soba and mochi at Shigenoya. She also stops at the local farmers’ market Hotchi Ichiba, walks through Karuizawa Taliesin park, and relaxes at the Hoshino Onsen Tonbo-no-Yu hot spring.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Harunire Terrace
- 💡 Best for: Families, Studio Ghibli Fans
Summer Road Trip: Soba Lunch and Moss Gardens with Seerasan
Seerasan takes a summer road trip from Tokyo to Karuizawa with her friend Elly to escape the city heat. They start their visit by ordering a traditional soba lunch at a local restaurant before grabbing coffee. Next, they walk through the main shopping street to find a quiet, hidden moss garden. They stop for local gelato and visit a bakery for some fresh treats. During their stay, they also participate in a hands-on ring-making workshop before ending their trip with a nature walk.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Old Karuizawa Ginza Street
- 💡 Best for: Friends, Day Trippers
Autumn Foliage Walk: Kumoba Pond to Karuizawa Kogen Church
This video captures an early morning autumn walk starting at Kumoba Pond when the autumn leaves are at their peak. The camera moves from the colorful lakeside path toward the historic Mampei Hotel. The creator also drives to the Old Usui Pass Observation Deck and Shiraito Falls to document the fall colors. The walk finishes with views of the Hoshino area and the historic Karuizawa Kogen Church.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Kumoba Pond
- 💡 Best for: Nature Lovers, Photographers
Shinshu Premium Beef at Ushi Yaki no Tomo
This short introduces Ushi Yaki no Tomo, a wagyu beef yakiniku restaurant opened on March 1, 2025, by chef Kimiya Ouchi. Located in Karuizawa, the restaurant serves Shinshu premium beef alongside handmade namul and kimchi. The video shows the cuts of meat, which feature a light fat content that is easy on the stomach. The meal courses conclude with side dishes like curry and cold noodles.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Ushi Yaki no Tomo
- 💡 Best for: Foodies, Wagyu Lovers
A Quick Look at Karuizawa Prince Hotel
This short video provides a brief look at the Karuizawa Prince Hotel resort area. The footage shows the scenic surroundings of the hotel grounds, which sit close to Karuizawa Station. The resort area is known for its proximity to outdoor recreational spaces and shopping plazas.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Karuizawa Prince Hotel
- 💡 Best for: Luxury Travelers, Families
Early Morning Backstreets of Old Karuizawa with Tokyo Lens
Creator Tokyo Lens takes viewers on an early morning walk through the old backstreets of Karuizawa, Nagano, starting at 5 a.m. The video captures the quiet, empty streets of an area that is typically busy during the day. The host streams the quiet atmosphere and historic architecture before the local shops open for business.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Old Karuizawa Backstreets
- 💡 Best for: Early Birds, Solo Explorers
Bullet Train Escape to Karuizawa with Travel Tans
Travel Tans presents a quick guide to escaping Tokyo via a one-hour bullet train ride to Karuizawa. The video showcases scenic nature trails, waterfalls like Shiraito Falls, and local mountain cafes. It also highlights the mixture of luxury shopping outlets and historic sites throughout the alpine town.
- 📍 Featured Spot: Various spots in Karuizawa
- 💡 Best for: Day Trippers, Nature Lovers
