3 days/2 nights in Karuizawa by bus

Base for sightseeing in Karuizawa

Karuizawa Station is easily accessible by the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line, which takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes from Tokyo Station and 2 hours from Kanazawa Station, and is the base for sightseeing in Karuizawa, served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line and the Shinano Railway.

Seibu Bus
Karuizawa Station 10:00 → Tokyu Harvest Club Karuizawa & VIALA 10:15

Commonly known as the "red bus" running through the quiet villa area of Karuizawa

This route bus runs from the Harvest Club by the north exit of Karuizawa Station in the morning, and from the Manpei Hotel via the old Karuizawa in the afternoon, up the old Nakasendo road to the viewing platform in Toge Town.
The gazebo is 1,200 meters above sea level, and as the name suggests, the view is spectacular. Not only on a clear day, but also after a rainfall, you may encounter a magnificent sea of clouds. There is a promenade parallel to the old Chusen Road. Use this trail for hiking up the mountain. You can have lunch at the pass town, enjoy the view at the gazebo, and then take a one-way bus back to the pass.
The red buses generally follow the timetable without getting caught in heavy traffic jams even in the top season, but they may be cancelled due to dense fog coming from the Usui side.

Karuizawa Kotsu Bus
Harvest Club 10:30 → Gazebo 11:00 Arrive 5 min. walk from Gazebo

Border of Nagano and Gunma Prefectures

The Usui Pass Gazebo is located at an elevation of 1,200 meters above sea level.
Located on the border between Nagano and Gunma prefectures, it offers a wonderful view of the Myogi mountain range to the east and Mount Asama to the west.
There is a 4-km boardwalk at the gazebo entrance.

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A shrine located on the border of a prefecture, a rarity in Japan.

Located at an elevation of 1200 m above the summit of Usui Pass, this ancient shrine is called "Kumano Koutai Shrine" on the Nagano Prefecture side and "Kumano Shrine" on the Gunma Prefecture side, and is said to have been built by Yamatotakeru. It is designated as a special shrine in Shinano-kuni.
The shina tree, which is more than 1,000 years old, has long been worshipped as a sacred tree for good fortune and matchmaking.

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Adapt to your travel style

Enjoy lunch around Lake Shiozawa.
There is a store famous for its chikimochi (rice cake) and a soba (buckwheat noodle) shop.

Karuizawa Kotsu Bus
Get on at Miharidai bus stop (12:45 on weekdays / 13:10 on weekends) → Get off at Nite Bridge (12:55 on weekdays / 13:20 on weekends), 2 min. walk from the bus stop.

Old Karuizawa Ginza Street

The main street of Old Karuizawa. Old established bakeries, coffee shops, souvenir stores and eateries line both sides of the 750-meter Old Karuizawa Ginza Street. The Karuizawa Tourist Hall, with its classic wooden exterior, provides tourist information. If you go a little further, you can also visit the Shaw Memorial Chapel!

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Rickshaw rides to famous places in Karuizawa

The tour starts from in front of the post office on Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Dori. The rickshaw tours popular sightseeing spots in the Kyu-Karuizawa area. The rickshaw will also take you to the best spots of the season.
This model course is designed to take 60 minutes to visit St. Paul's Catholic Church, Kumoba Pond, and the Saisei Muroo Memorial Museum.
Advance reservations are recommended.

Kusakyu Kotsu Bus
Get on at Old Karuizawa bus stop 14:45 → Get off at Karuizawa Station 14:50
Seibu Bus
Old Karuizawa bus stop, departing at 14:57 → Karuizawa Station, arriving at 15:05

Adapt to your travel style

Karuizawa offers a wide variety of lodging facilities.
As the course tomorrow will again be by bus departing from Karuizawa Station, we recommend accommodations near the station.

Please have a good night's rest.
After breakfast, go sightseeing.

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Base for sightseeing in Karuizawa

bus
Karuizawa Station 9:59 → Shinano Oiwake Station 10:08 → Circulation Bus West Course 10:13 → Oiwake Promotion Bridge Bus Stop 10:21, 5 min. walk

The 20th inn counting from Edo

The "Oiwake-juku Local History Museum" is modeled after an inn, and visitors can feel the atmosphere of the Edo period. Visitors can learn more about the history and local culture of Oiwake.

The Hori Tatsuo Literature Memorial Museum exhibits manuscripts and documents of Tatsuo Hori, the author of "The Wind Rises" who was active in the early Showa period.

Admission fee is common.

Oiwajuku Local History Museum, Hori Tatsuo Literature Memorial Museum

Nakasendo 69th Street Museum

This museum exhibits materials related to the history, geography, and literature of the Nakasendo route, as well as pictures, photographs, and ukiyoe prints that make it easy to understand. Visitors can experience a journey as they tour 69 inns from Edo's Nihonbashi to Kyoto's Sanjo Ohashi Bridge. The director's stories are also interesting! In the garden of the museum, there is a promenade that recreates the 69th road from Edo to Kyoto, and visitors can enjoy a 15-minute walk along the road.

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Wild Safari Tour / Picchio

Riding in a car equipped with observation lights, visitors search for Japanese deer and other animals lurking in the dark.
The thrill you feel when your eyes meet theirs will be an irreplaceable memory.

Shopping mall based on the concept of "everyday life in Karuizawa

At the entrance to the Hoshino area, there is a "small town" of 9 modern buildings connected by a wide wooden deck, making use of a grove of over 100 haru elm trees that used to grow wild alongside the clear waters of the Yugawa River, as the hot spring resort of Hoshino Onsen Dragonfly Spring. Fifteen unique stores and restaurants based on the concept of "everyday life in Karuizawa" will enrich your villa life.

including shopping and dinner (90 min)

Night Tour Experience

Riding in a car equipped with observation lights, visitors search for Japanese deer and other animals lurking in the dark.
The thrill you feel when your eyes meet theirs will be an irreplaceable memory.
*Wild Safari Tours: April-August: 19:30 departure until 21:00 September-October: 18:30 departure until 20:00

Karuizawa Lake Garden

Karuizawa Lake Garden is a fusion of Karuizawa's beautiful landscape and a garden filled with colorful flowers. From early June to mid-July, 3,500 roses and other flowers will be in full bloom.

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Karuizawa Hatsuchi City Garden

This is a direct sales facility for Karuizawa agricultural products, etc., offering a variety of fresh local vegetables and other products. The produce and processed foods produced in Karuizawa are mainly sold here, and growers display fresh vegetables picked in the morning. The facility also features popular local restaurants such as "Atelier de Fromage," "White Firefly Kitchen," and "Teuchi-Soba Aroma Shop.

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Historic Catholic Church

It is one of the historical buildings in Karuizawa and stands on the "Water Mill Road" running parallel to the Old Karuizawa Ginza Street. The building was designed by the famous American architect Antonio Raymond, and is the only Catholic church in town.

No entry during ceremonies and services.