#Travel♪ The Mezmorizing lights of the Beautiful Karuizawa Shopping Mall
Karuizawa Winter trip
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
Beautiful Illumination at the Karuizawa mall
We took a short trip to a resort in Nagano Prefecture (長野縣) on
Japan's Honshu island (本州) called "Karuizawa (軽 井 沢)". This
international resort set in the Highlands National Park sits at
the foot of a plateau in an area called Asama (淺 間 山), the site
of the Shin Ue Castle (上 信 城). The highlands are about 1,000m
above sea level, and depending on the season makes dramatic
changes scenery. Seems like we have truly ventured somewhere
exotic this time!
Since the late 19th century this place has come to be known as
an international resort representative of Japan. People who are
no stranger to money in Japan tend to build villas here and spend
summers or winters in this majestic wonder.
But aside from all the nature you can soak in, the main draw may
be the outlet malls that surround the resort of Karuizawa.
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza.
- Huge shopping mall fashion, accessories, outdoor, luxury brands
and a variety of restaurants.
-High quality lifestyle, deluxe rooms, interesting decorations,
fascinating people.
-The whitest snow we’ve ever seen, calm waters of Japan,
scenic vistas.
-More places to eat at than you possibly can.
Enough chatting for now, let’s just dive right in!^^
What’s
up, Karuizawa Station!
Here
at Karuizawa Station we wade through the
accumulated
snowy slush from the city center and breath in the cool fresh air.
~ah~^^
Though
it’s a bit chilly the fresh is a welcomed tradeoff.
Now
what do we have planned for today?
Karuizawa
Prince Shopping Plaza from the Station is actually pretty
convenient with
direct access within a couple of minutes <JR Tokyo
Wide Pass> .
What
is the <JR Tokyo Wide Pass> ?!
Tokyo
JR Wide Pass started on November 19, 2015
An
economic free pass to cover Tokyo and its surrounding areas
"Kanto
region" members.
Usually
with reserved seats, on trains such as
the Bullet Train
(Shinkansen) or an express train. These passes last for three
days
and give you free rides in the specified area. Fuji and Izu free
passes are
required in Karuizawa, a popular tourist destination
to easily travel to GALA Yuzawa and more.
price
Adults
(12 years and over) ¥ 10,000
Children
(6 to 11 years old) 5,000 yen
Official
Website (English)
And
another one!
Another
pass which operates directly from Tokyo to Karuizawa.
The bus runs from
Shinjuku’s West Exit of Shinjuku Station
in front of Bic Camera.
One
more in front of Ikebukuro Station (next to the GU shop
across the road in
front of the east exit) <Seibu Bus Ticket
Center>
You
can even pick up these tickets from right in front of
the bus stop
The EAST/WEST divide
At 10am in the morning we have a decision to make straight from
the gate of the station. Shall we venture east or west!?
- WEST (西)
- SOUVENIR SHOPS
- NEW WEST
- CENTER MALL
- TREE MALL
- EAST (東)
- NEW EAST
- GARDEN MALL
- Karuizawa Aji no Machi
- FOOD COURT
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza is conveniently located to
the south of the station.
With luxury brands, fashion, accessories, sports, outdoor, etc,
you have approximately 240 colorful shops for your browsing
pleasure.
* Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza Official Website
(English)
Stave
off your cold & hunger with a slice of Hawaii
Before
you start shopping fill up on some delicious
burgers! Our
first stop is the world famous Hawaiian burger
shop KUA`AINA.
The "KUA`AINA"
name means rural Hawaiian-born. The
name
calls back to an old historic town from the North Shore on the
island of
Oahu. In
January about 41 years ago this burger chain
was born and gained popularity
through word of mouth by surfers
and saw it’s second and third stores built in
Honolulu, Hawaii and
Aoyama, Japan in 1997.
Simplicity
in Design
The Avocado
Burger is recommended by all means.
There’s
little doubt, it’s a popular item. Combining avocado with
fresh lettuce tomato
slices over a meat patty….wow!^^
The fantastic
harmony of meat and vegetables will dancing in your
mouth too! If
there was a right way to do
Hawaiian-style burgers,
then KUA`AINA is at the pinnacle of perfection.
Oh
and did we mention the fries a stupendous!
Avocado
Burger (1 / 3LB) 1,045 yen + TAX
French
fries (S) 291 yen + TAX
Orange
juice (S) 273 yen + TAX
Spread the Flavor
KUA`AINA has come up since it’s humble beginnings in Hawaii.
They now have stores in the Hawaii, London, and Japan. A
collective 27 shops operating throughout the world but it’s
actually pretty interesting that you’ll find the most in Japan
(22 shops). The spread of globalization is most certainly not a
contributing factor to it’s great taste. That of course, is the real
reason for its spread!^^
"KUA`AINA" (Aina Kuah)
Burger restaurants
Location: E (East) - 03
Find what you’ve been looking for! Outlet Shopping
Due to some renovations in the 1970s, new overseas leading
brands have been introduced, most notably the Japanese
shop (BEAMS). Some of the Beams stores located in the
Karuizawa Outlet Mall have it all including menswear, women's
wear, and children’s wear.
BEAMS Lights
BEAMS HEART
BEAMS mini
BEAMS
BEAMS T
BEAMS BOY
RAY BEAMS
These sections handle the majority of the brand.
With such a wide selection, why would you need to check
anywhere else right?
Let’s explore deeper?^^
2016 Hot Women’s Wear [Beams]
The women's hot items recommended for 2016 have been neatly
organized in this corner. Simple and clean appealing trench coats
and shirts lined up neatly without draping over the wide trousers
and knee-length knitting. This minimalistic fashion look is quite
popular this year in Japan.
Taking the $$ out of Trendy!^^
Although still a little chilly in the snow-covered Karuizawa , clothing
shops are preparing in advanced for the Spring season. When
I think of spring and fall items, I could definitely use a trench
coat as well! In Beams, the trench coats are catching fire, so
you better grab one before their all good.
Throw a causal one over your suit with a matching hat and you’ll
be good to go. Also the detachable cotton inner attached
to the inside can be removed when it gets too warm out.
HOODED TRENCH COAT
¥ 15,800 + TAX
Size: (S), (M), (L)
2016 Hot Men’s Wear [Beams]
Let’s do a quick flip over the men’s wear
recommendations. Similarly, the men’s wear consists of a very
clean arrangement well -coordinated. An appropriate length
striped long-sleeve white shirt with lightweight trousers (amazing
on a hot day), making a statement with a red beanie.
You can almost taste the crisp spring air.
#Hot item# Beans Top Choice !!!
Popular items such as this one are sure to be worn by everyone,
it’s just a matter of time. A fresh and fun style for all ages, and
maybe that’s the reason for the popularity.
Border T-shirts
¥ 4,700 + TAX
Size: (S), (M), (L)
Wide variations in Children's Wear
We are once again attracted to a cornerstone of corners,
featuring Beams Children's outlet clothing. Jackets, shirts, hoodies,
etc., an overall wide-ranging collection of designs on various items.
Whether you’re by yourself or in a group, it’s not uncommon in
this shop to shop with family or friends. The wide-open nature
of the shop lends itself to being explored freely.
"BEAMS" (Beams)
Edit large shop menswear, women's wear, children's
wear handling.
Location: New East - 31/36/37/38
MADE IN JAPAN Travel Bags
What are the essential items while traveling?
Passports? ? Money? Travel mates?
The real answer is a dependable travel bag.
[ACE OUTLET]
This is a travel suitcase, domestic breed Raleigh travel bags,
business bags, composite bags linked to your favorite celebrity’s
shop selling casual make every kind of bags. In particular, we’re
dealing with a Japanese made brand popular with tourist who
visit Japan. But why are products made in Japan so popular?
After having first hand experience with various Japanese made
products I would like to insist that the products are high quality
and high performance.
(※ Not all products are made in Japan, check before buying)
A special bag that doesn’t roll down a slope?
It’s no secret that a dependable travel bag is a necessity
when traveling. However, at times you need to stop and free
your hands up, but if you do so all your precious belongings
may roll away. In opposition to this problem, a new bag has been
developed that you have to see to believe.
Stopping when you want to stop
The emphasis is on the wheels of this convenient bag. Size wise, it’s the largest possible size that’ll fit into the overhead cabin luggage compartment of an aircraft. A switch on the handle for easy access controls the stopping feature. It’s a feature that you won’t really understand the gravity of it’s importance until you need it. And believe us, you will! ^^
ProtecA Products
Cabin Options Size
¥ 40,000 + TAX
Buy
a big bag to load up the shopping list!
ACE
OUTLET has thoroughly amazed me with their incredible
136
ℓ bag. This
has got to be the first time I’ve ever seen such
a large travel bag...! This
giant size is quite large, though it was
made using lightweight materials for
you to enjoy stuffing more
of your things inside. Travel
shopping may seem like a burden to
some due to trying to stuff things back into
your luggage, but
with this bag, it’s sure to change some minds.
PRONARD
¥
38,000 + TAX (25% discount from the marked price)
ACE is also famous for its lightweight travel bags
EQUINOX LIGHT is a celebrated model of the main ProtecA
line. The structural integrity and materials used in the design was
created with one thing in mind. Pure lightness. They basically
wanted to create some of the lightest bags around. When balancing
the body and the frame it’s not as easy as it seems to keep
something such as a bag in a specified weight range. But after
lifting up the bag, a lighter weight of this size would be
unimaginable. The suitcases are made in Hokkaido, Japan in
domestic plants and are the most popular among tourist.
ProtecA EQUINOX LIGHT (Amount 30% discount)
57ℓ / 4.4kg 30,996 + TAX
65ℓ / 4.7kg 32,508 + TAX
78ℓ / 4.9kg 34,776 + TAX
92ℓ / 5.4kg 36,288 + TAX
"ACE OUTLET" (S Outlet)
General dealing with travel bags, suitcases, etc.
Brands: ProtecA / ACEGENE / F.CLIO
Location: NE (New East) 19-20
When at the Karuizawa Shopping Mall
When it comes to Japanese ramen, we actually found a
pretty decent shop buried in the snow!^^
Ramen, Karuizawa Style in Nagano
ら ー め ん 福 栄 (Ramen Fukui)
Located
in the East Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza. This place
is so hot its melting
all the snow around it!
Make
your ramen with a variety of flavors: Shio (salt) ramen /
shoyu (soy sauce)
ramen / tonkatsu (pork) ramen/
It’s
also famous for 信 州 味噌 ら ー め ん (Shinshu miso
ramen)!!
Japan's
vending machine Culture
How
to order ramen noodles at home in Japan:
Soon
as you approach the front entrance, you’ll come face to
face with this. After
making your selection on the vending
machine, press the button and insert your
money. You receive
some meal tickets to be given to the staff so they can
prepare
your order. Please give the ticket to the clerk and your order is
complete!
Ramen
House’s #1 recommendation
The
long awaited smile as we enjoyed Shinshu Ramen has
engulfed our faces. The aroma
alone was worth the price
and the trip! This moderately thick, chewy but savory
dish is
topped with poached eggs, miso soup, whole-wheat noodles
and was just
as tasty as it sounds. Ingredients are very
important but the winner of the day
was the seasoning.
Bon appétit^^
Broth-chan!
No cutting calories when it comes to this dish, you’ll savor
every single oily drop. The real taste of a ramen soup can
be measured by the amount of moved hearts.
The smile we had from the Shinshu, plus the eight other kinds
of soup including 安 養 寺 味噌 (Yoan Tera Miso), and a soup
made from all vegetables (developed for women who called it
a healthy soup) had us hooked.
No stomach for soup?
Japanese fried rice and gyoza (dumplings) make up a set
that’s equally as delicious.
Capable of being eater separately or together as set, give it a try
if you’re not in a soupy mood.
福 栄 味噌 ら ー め ん (Fukui Miso Ramen)
950 yen
+
半 チ ャ ー ハ ン (Fried Rice [half-size])
630 yen
(After purchasing a ticket from the vending machine hand the
ticket to the clerk)
"ら ー め ん 福 栄" (Ramen Fukui)
信 州 味噌 ら ー め ん (Shinshu Miso Ramen)- famous Japanese
ramen house
Location: E (East) - 04
Edit women shop SHEL`TTER
SHEL'TTER is a favorite among celebrities and is constantly
editing what it offers for high quality casual chic women's fashion.
Focusing on smooth denim body lines, silhouettes and
highlighting appealing details, the lineup looks quite pretty.
Are you aware of the trend?
What about the lifestyle SHEL'TTER encompasses?
Steadily gaining popularity in the fashion world,
are you ready for it? ^^
Good
times in SHEL`TTER
Brands:
Moussy, SLY, Rienda, Rodeo Crowns, and
AZUL by Moussy
Popular Brand #1: Rienda
For women who seek to express their individuality in a trendy
fashion, and create their own style and brand more freely.
Enjoy the ability to coordinate your own casual items in a easy yet
fun way!
Popular Brand #2: SLY
Sly is the best kept secret of those who know about it.
A haven of cosmopolitan ambiance that survived many a trend
enjoying a calm stylish color coordinated ensemble at it's base.
A haven of cosmopolitan ambiance that survived many a trend
enjoying a calm stylish color coordinated ensemble at it's base.
Popular Brand #3: Rodeo Crowns
American
casual items based in the mainstream.
Casual
but a bit rough so it’s destined to evoke a sense of brand
elements, edgy yet trendy
as casual can get.
Fitting
for a casual chic woman wanting to enjoy fashion.
Near
the table I saw a lot of women wearing a studded T-shirt logo
on the streets with
the embroidered letters RCWB…?
Now
I’ve come to realize they are Logo T-shirts for the RCWB,
standing for RODEO
CROWNS WIDE BOWL.
This
may just be my favorite style.^^
2016!
The year of the minimalist
This
year try to make an effort to keep your style very minimalist.
Doing so will
line you up with the latest trends of 2016. Personally
I’m going to pick up my
new wardrobe here at Karuizawa Mall!
"SHEL'TTER"
High
casual women's wear shop Edit
Location:
NE (New East) - 17
WINTER ILLUMINATION
The big event of the evening has just started!
The crisp, cool, piercing night air of the Karuizawa Prince
Shopping Plaza gave way to beautiful ILLUMINATION.
The shopping town in the evening, surrounded by nature,
showed it’s true harmonious nature.
This particular tree is the symbol of the seven lights striking
the surface of the lake producing a dreamy atmosphere.
There was quite a bit of camera technique involved in capturing
this image because by the naked eye, you can’t really see all these
amazing colors until you really focus.
Imagine eating a meal with this amazing backdrop?
A view like this is quite humbling. Makes you even forget all your
problems…
WINTER ILLUMINATION
Period: 2015/11 / 1-2016 / 2/29
Time: 17:00 to 21:00 (times may vary)
Light to decorate the end of the day
Snow and shopping. Great combination? That has yet to be
determined, but it’s beautiful nonetheless. Not a bad idea to
enjoy the dreamy illumination though.
Keep stacking up those good memories in Japan..
Karuizawa’s
fresh powder is beautiful
The
overwhelming wealth of Japan's tourist attractions, and
resort spots in Karuizawa
is just what the doctor ordered. Also,
the great scenery around Karuizawa really
speaks volumes to
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza’s nature and charm.
Did
anyone else feel as though you wanted to visit more and
more while reading the
article?!
It’s
already a fast growing tourists destination for many visitors
to Japan from
Taiwan and Hong Kong for the past several years.
To make things easier, it can
also be accessible via the Shinkansen.
While staying at Prince Hotel and
Cottages, located just next to it,
all the element of a great trip seem to come
together nicely.
Perhaps the real luxury
is in the openness. The level of space
you have to just exist in nature (as
pictured above)
Anyway,
it’s time for our short trip Karuizawa from Tokyo to come
to a close.It’s
a fantastic place where you can experience new
shopping venues, trendiness and
style, but I hope you go see
for yourself what this article couldn’t convey. Later,
when you’re
surrounded by the beautiful and rich natural environment that
is Karuizawa’s
plateau resort you’ll understand.
Just
a one hour trip back to Tokyo, perfect end to a day trip!^^
Until our next journey, stay safe and warm during the winter!
* Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza Official Website
(English)
Great content! Or women who want to express their individuality in a modern way. Fashion, and create your own style and brand more freely.
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