Karuizawa Day Trip from Tokyo: A One-Day Summer Itinerary
Karuizawa is an excellent destination for travelers planning a return trip to Japan. Surrounded by nature, the town offers a chance to experience the atmosphere of a summer retreat that has long been popular with Japanese travelers. You can also enjoy local food and shop for regional souvenirs. The Shinkansen journey from Tokyo takes about 70 minutes, making Karuizawa an easy day-trip destination.
On this visit, the fresh air, the sound of the waterfall, and delicious soba left me feeling refreshed in both body and mind. I would love to return to Karuizawa next year.
Trip Overview
Experience Karuizawa’s nature, local food, architecture, and shopping in one well-paced day trip.
8:30 AM｜Depart from Tokyo Station
Before boarding, pick up some breakfast to enjoy on the Shinkansen. I bought a B.L.T. sandwich from Marchen inside Gransta Tokyo.
Gransta Tokyo has many stores selling bento boxes, bread, and other breakfast options, making it a convenient place to choose something for the journey.
Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Karuizawa. Tokyo Station has several Shinkansen ticket gates, so follow the station signs carefully as you make your way to the correct platform.
9:40 AM｜Arrive at Karuizawa Station
After arriving at Karuizawa Station, head to Kumoba Pond, the first stop of the day. Go to the North Exit, where the taxi stand is located.
Things to Know
We visited on a Friday, but there were already about ten groups waiting at the taxi stand, so we used Uber instead. The drive from Karuizawa Station to Kumoba Pond took about five minutes and cost approximately ¥1,500.
10:15 AM｜Walk Around Kumoba Pond
Kumoba Pond is famous for its beautiful reflection shots.
When I visited in summer, the vivid green trees reflected in the mirror-like water made for a memorable photo of the trip.
You can walk around the pond in about 30 minutes. Visiting early in the morning also allows you to enjoy a peaceful stroll before the area becomes crowded.
11:00 AM｜Try Karuizawa’s Famous Soba at Kawakami-an
Walk for about 15 minutes from Kumoba Pond to Kawakamian Karuizawa Main Store.
Kawakami-an is a popular restaurant for soba in Karuizawa. We arrived at around 11:00 AM and were seated after waiting behind about three parties. To avoid the largest crowds, visit before the peak lunch period.
I ordered cold zaru soba with assorted tempura and added a side of walnut dipping sauce.
The sauce has a gentle sweetness and a rich, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the soba. I order it every time I visit, so I highly recommend giving it a try.
12:15 PM｜Walk Along Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Street
After lunch, explore Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Street, located near Kawakami-an.
Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Street is one of Karuizawa’s best-known shopping streets. It is lined with stores selling regional specialties such as miso and soba, as well as sweets, baked goods, general merchandise, and character shops offering Karuizawa-exclusive products.
As you look for souvenirs, take some time to photograph the historic buildings and the lively atmosphere of the street.
2:10 PM｜Experience Nature at Shiraito Falls
Take a bus from Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Street to Shiraito Falls, a journey of about 30 minutes.
Shiraito Falls is one of Karuizawa’s most famous natural attractions. Countless thin streams of water flow down the rock face, while the sound of the waterfall and rustling trees creates a refreshing atmosphere. Even in summer, the area feels pleasantly cool.
Photographing the waterfall from close range allows you to capture dynamic images that emphasize the movement of the water. Allow around 20 to 30 minutes for your visit.
Things to Know
Buses returning from the falls run infrequently, and you may not be able to board if they are crowded. We used Uber to travel to our next stop, Harunire Terrace. The journey took about 20 minutes and cost approximately ¥6,000.
For Travelers Who Want More Time in Nature
There is a nature trail near Shiraito Falls where you can enjoy an easy hike of around 40 minutes. Consider adding it if you have extra time in your itinerary.
3:00 PM｜Take a Break at Harunire Terrace
Harunire Terrace is a commercial complex in Naka-Karuizawa surrounded by forest and a river. Its collection of restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and lifestyle stores makes it an ideal place for an afternoon break.
We stopped at a popular gelato shop and ordered strawberry milk and pure milk. Both had a rich milky flavor but a clean, refreshing sweetness, making them especially enjoyable on a hot day.
You can also find bread and coffee from Bakery Sawamura, Karuizawa craft beer, and locally themed sweets, making Harunire Terrace a convenient place to shop for souvenirs.
Locally themed sweets and souvenirs at Harunire Terrace.
Karuizawa craft beer at Harunire Terrace.
4:00 PM｜Visit Stone Church and Karuizawa Kogen Church
Walk uphill for about 12 minutes from Harunire Terrace to Stone Church and Karuizawa Kogen Church.
Stone Church is known for its distinctive architecture, formed by a series of stone and glass arches. Natural light enters the interior, which also incorporates water and greenery.
Karuizawa Kogen Church, by contrast, is a wooden church with the warmth of timber and the quiet atmosphere of the surrounding forest. Soft sunlight filters through the trees, creating a peaceful setting.
Although the two churches are located close together, their architecture and atmosphere are strikingly different. Photography is not allowed inside, so take the opportunity to experience the differences in light, sound, and space for yourself.
Things to Know
The churches are also used for weddings. You may not be able to enter during a ceremony, so be prepared to wait or view only the exterior.
5:30 PM｜Shop at Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
After visiting the churches, walk for about 25 minutes to Naka-Karuizawa Station. Take the train one stop back to Karuizawa Station.
Directly connected to the station’s South Exit, Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza is a large outlet mall where you can enjoy both shopping and dining. It offers fashion, general merchandise, sporting goods, household items, and more at outlet prices. I also bought a frying pan at a good discount.
The complex has a large lawn, making it a comfortable place for families with children and visitors traveling with dogs.
Things to Know
When we visited, we could not find an ekiben, or station bento box, suitable for dinner at Karuizawa Station, so we ate udon at the outlet mall’s food court instead. It was affordable and served quickly, making it a convenient option before the Shinkansen departed.
8:15 PM｜Return to Tokyo from Karuizawa Station
Board the Hokuriku Shinkansen at Karuizawa Station and return to Tokyo.
At the station convenience store, I bought a Karuizawa-exclusive drinking yogurt as well as a beer. As I looked back through the day’s photos on the Shinkansen, I brought a rewarding day trip to Karuizawa to a close.
Enjoying Karuizawa on a Rainy Day
On days with heavy rain, consider replacing Kumoba Pond with the Former Mikasa Hotel and Shiraito Falls with the Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa.
At the Former Mikasa Hotel, you can explore a classical Western-style hotel built by Japanese builders and learn about Karuizawa’s development as a summer resort. At the Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa, you can enjoy Japanese paintings of waterfalls alongside contemporary architecture that incorporates natural light.
The other destinations can generally be visited as planned in the main itinerary.
What to Book in Advance
Shinkansen Tickets
Reserved seats at your preferred departure times may be fully booked if you wait until the day of travel. Booking both your outbound and return Shinkansen tickets in advance will give you greater peace of mind.