Things to do in Karuizawa

2026 Asia 50 - Ski Resorts

Karuizawa Prince Hotel Snow Resort

Karuizawa Prince Hotel Snow Resort is located in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, with convenient transportation. Thanks to its complete snowmaking facilities, it is one of the ski resorts in Japan that opens earliest each year. All trails are machine-groomed, so snow conditions are stable. The resort has more than ten trails, with lifts covering every area. Nearly 60% are beginner runs, while intermediate and advanced runs each account for about 20%. The slopes are generally gentle and wide, making them very suitable for beginners and families to practice. From the summit area, visitors can look out over Mount Asama and the rolling mountains toward Gunma, with an open and expansive view.

No. 15 of Best Things to Do in Kōshin'etsu region

Shiraito Waterfall

Shiraito Waterfall is located in the northern part of Karuizawa, with a drop of 3 meters and a width of 70 meters. Groundwater stored byMount Asamaflows down along the winding, rugged rock walls like hundreds of white threads, creating a cool, refreshing, and breathtaking experience. The stream before it converges into the waterfall is also clear and beautiful. In spring, you can forage for plenty of local wild vegetables in the surrounding woods, such as Japanese angelica and aralia shoots; in summer, many tourists visit to enjoy the splashing water and cool breeze, which delight visitors; and in fall, the brilliant maple leaves are a feast for the eyes.

Karuizawa Snow Park

Karuizawa Snow Park is located in Gunma, offering a comprehensive winter resort that combines skiing with natural beauty, designed for both ski enthusiasts and family visitors. As a regional winter highlight, it's renowned for its high-quality slopes and convenient facilities, attracting visitors from all over. The park features multiple ski trails suitable for various skill levels. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced skier, you'll find the perfect slope here. The ski school provides professional lessons to help newcomers quickly master skiing techniques, while advanced slopes offer ideal challenges for thrill-seekers.

No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Nagano Prefecture

Old Karuizawa Ginza Street

Old Karuizawa Ginza Street is a bustling shopping district in Karuizawa. The shopping street is approx. 600m long and paved with red bricks, lined with old churches, antique shops, and various European-style bistros, exuding a romantic and chic charm. A highlight here is the many jam shops, which all offer free samples of crackers or bread to pair with their jams.

Kumoba Pond

Yunchang Pond is a must-see attraction when you come to Karuizawa. It has the reputation of "Swan Lake". Walking around the pond, whether it is in the early summer with lush greenery or in the autumn with red leaves, is the perfect way to enjoy nature. best place. Autumn is a famous place for maple viewing, famous for the lake like a mirror and the reflection of red maples.

Stone Church

Karuizawa Stone Church is the design work of an American designer who took inspiration from Karuizawa's superior natural environment to build this unique church. This natural church, which integrates stone, light, water, green and trees, attracts new people from all over the world to come here for weddings. The whole church is made of stone and glass, which is a large arc-shaped structure. The stone represents the strength and strength of men, and the glass symbolizes the softness and delicacy of women. The orbit of the sun makes the sun not only illuminate the whole church, but also changes the expressions in the church according to the time, so that the new people seem to be bathed in the light of blessing.

No. 2 of Hot Springs Attractions in Nagano Prefecture

Tonbo-no-yu

Hoshino Resortsoperates Tonbo-no-yu, known as the beautiful skin hot spring. The hot spring is located at the foot of the mountain, where you can immerse yourself in the open-air bath and enjoy the magnificent scenery. The expansive glass windows of the open-style indoor bath also allow you to take in the outdoor scenery.

No. 9 of Ski Resorts in Nagano Prefecture

Yunomaru Ski Area

Hidden in the Ice Mountain Range in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, Yunomaru Ski Resort has become a winter utopia for Nagano families and freestyle players with an average annual snow volume of 120 cm, fine powder snow texture and facilities for all ages. The ski resort is located on the Yunomaru Plateau at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,300 meters. It is only a 2.5-hour drive from downtown Osaka, but because it is hidden behind the natural barrier of the Ice Mountain, it avoids the hustle and bustle of the crowds and retains the rustic mountain atmosphere of the Showa era. The ski resort has many ski trails, of which the green and blue beginner trails account for a large proportion, especially suitable for children and novices. Six cable cars operate around the clock, with lengths ranging from 520 meters to 1,040 meters. The ski resort also takes full advantage of the forest, climate, and altitude of Yunomaru Plateau, with facilities for high-altitude training such as athletics and swimming at altitudes of 1,730 to 1,750 meters.

Megane Bridge (Shin-etsu Main Line No. 3 Bridge)

Onioshidashi Volcanic Park in Joshin'etsukogen National Park

The Onishijuen is a lava field with a width of 3 kilometers and a length of 12 kilometers. The name means that the big crater looks like a ghost, and there is a Guanyin Hall on the high platform of the lava platform to protect those who died due to the fire of Mount Asama. Visitors can use its trails. Slowly appreciate all kinds of strange stones with special but lifelike shapes, which are as beautiful and magnificent as magic.