Karuizawa
Travelers come to Karuizawa for cool summers, forest walks and historic villas, all within an easy train ride from Tokyo.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Karuizawa is a mountain resort town in Nagano Prefecture, in central Honshu, at about 1,000 meters above sea level. Foreign missionaries and wealthy Tokyo families started using it as a summer retreat in the late 1800s, and Western-style villas from that period remain in the Kyu-Karuizawa area. The Hokuriku Shinkansen reaches Karuizawa Station in about an hour from Tokyo.
Visitors go for cooler summer air, walks on the trails around Mount Asama and Kumoba Pond, and shopping along the main streets. Autumn turns the forests to color, and in winter skiers and snow sports fans head to nearby slopes. Two or three days leave room for a hike, a walk through the old villa district and a long lunch. Staying near the station suits a first trip without a car. A day trip works if you only want the station area and the shops.
Karuizawa in five
- Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Karuizawa StationThe train from Tokyo Station takes about an hour. Reserve a seat before summer weekends and Golden Week, when trains fill quickly.Getting around
- Carry yen cash for small shopsSmall restaurants and older shops may take only cash. Withdraw yen at a convenience store ATM before you head up to the villas and trails.Money and costs
- Get an eSIM before you leave TokyoSignal fades on the mountain roads and trails around Karuizawa. Download offline maps and set up an eSIM before you board the Shinkansen.Phones and eSIM
- Book a summer room earlyAugust and the Golden Week holidays fill many lodgings, and room rates rise. Reserve as soon as your dates are fixed.Where to stay
- Check the Mount Asama alert level before hikingMount Asama is an active volcano, and the Japan Meteorological Agency sets its alert level. Check the current level at jma.go.jp before you walk toward the crater area.
Need to know
- Currency
- Yen (JPY)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check MOFA before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, snow
- FebruaryColdest, snow
- MarchCold, thaw
- AprilLate spring, cool
- MayFresh green
- JuneRainy season
- JulyCool summer
- AugustCool, crowded
- SeptemberClear, cooling
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberBare, cold
- DecemberCold, snow
Right now in Karuizawa
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
9
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 82%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 8%
Karuizawa
09:57 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today13°5°8%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 13°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Wed11°4°16%Wednesday: Rain. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Thu15°8°86%Thursday: Rain. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Fri19°6°8%Friday: Clear. High 19°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sat9°0°20%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 9°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Sun11°-1°6%Sunday: Fog. High 11°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Mon10°-1°5%Monday: Fog. High 10°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 5%.
Updated 09:23 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 157.5 JPY
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- AprShingen-ko FestivalFuji Five Lakes, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Naganoabout 20 to 30 min by ShinkansenA city home to Zenkō-ji, one of Japan's best-known Buddhist temples.
- Tokyoabout 1 hour by ShinkansenThe capital, for a day of shopping or museums.
- Kusatsu Onsenabout 2 hours by busA hot-spring town in Gunma with public bathhouses.
Before you go to Karuizawa
Rules for Karuizawa, checked
- Many nationalities enter Japan without a visa for short stays. Check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs entry rules before you book.Source
- Declare meat, fresh fruit, plants and other goods on the customs form. Check the Japan Customs list before you pack.Source
- Carry a doctor's letter for prescription medicines. Some common drugs are restricted, so check the health ministry list before you fly.
- Some hot springs and bathhouses refuse guests with visible tattoos. Ask before you go in.
Plan around Karuizawa
Regions, entry rules and transport across Japan for a first trip
Read the guideCentral HonshūNagano, Gunma and the mountains around Karuizawa
Read the guideGetting aroundShinkansen and local transport from Tokyo to Karuizawa
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for a Karuizawa trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and what to check before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayLodging by season, area and budget
Read the guideKaruizawa FAQ
How many days do you need in Karuizawa?
Two nights cover the station area, a walk through the old villa lanes and a day trip to Nagano. Add a night if you plan to hike the trails near Mount Asama.
Is Karuizawa worth visiting?
Yes, for a cool break in summer, autumn color or quiet walks in the woods. It suits a slow stay within reach of Tokyo.
When is the best time to visit Karuizawa?
May, July, September and October are the strongest months. Summer is cooler than Tokyo but busy in August, and winter is cold with snow.
Do you need a car in Karuizawa?
Not for the station area, which is walkable. Trailheads and the villa lanes are spread out, so a taxi or car helps for those.
Is Karuizawa expensive?
It can be, especially in August and during Golden Week, when lodging rates rise. Your costs depend on the room, meals and transport you choose.
Is Karuizawa safe for tourists?
Japan is a safe country for visitors. On mountain trails the main risks are weather and changing conditions, so check the forecast and carry an extra layer.