# Karuizawa Travel ♪ The Best Ways To Enjoy Karuizawa!!

The Best Ways to Enjoy Karuizawa!!

What come in you mind if we ask you about Karuizawa in Nagano prefecture? Nature? Shopping? Cool breeze? Getaways in summer?

You got it! These are all the special things about Karuizawa. Actually since the 19th century, lots of Japanese (the rich ones :P) bought houses in Karuizawa as their getaways in summer time.  Karuizawa is not just famous for the nice weather in summer, it is also famous for shopping too, for example the Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza. If you are looking for somewhere you can enjoy the nature and shopping at the same time, Karuizawa is absolutely the best place for you!

This time, we will show you around Karuizawa in a different way! Ready? LET'S GO!!

What can be cooler than taking Hokuriku Shinkansen to travel around in Japan?

If you decided to visit Karuizawa and other nearby areas in the same trip, we highly recommended you to get the JR TOKYO Wide Pass. You can save your time and money on your trip!!

About the JR TOKYO Wide Pass

The JR TOKYO Wide Pass is a discounted pass for unlimited rides in Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto area. Valid for three days, the pass is good for unlimited rides using reserved seats on ordinary cars on Shinkansen, limited express and other trains in the valid use area. The JR TOKYO Wide Pass makes it easy to visit popular tourist destinations such as Mt. Fuji, Izu and Karuizawa, GALA Yuzawa.

Sale Start Date: 19th November 2015

Use Start Date: 19th December 2015

Prices: Adults (12 years old and older) 10,000 yen, Children (6 to 11 years old) 5,000 yen

Official Homepage: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/tokyowidepass/index.html

If you don't want to take the Shinkansen this time, don't worry, you can still take buses from Shinjuku and Ikeburuko.  For Shinjuku, you can find the ticket booth in front the the electronics store, Big Camera.  For Ikeburuko, you can find the the ticket booth in front store GU.

Japanese Lunch Box (Bento) Experience

Did you notice that there are so many Japanese lunch box (bento) shops at the station? So why lunch box, not just something simple like sandwiches.  Actually some Japanese told us that when they were small, they got so excited to get on the Shinkansen, and one of their best memories was the lunch box that they got and ate on the train.  So even when they grow up now, they still love buying a bento and eat it on Shinkansen.

Wanna experience the ways that Japanese travel? Maybe you should try to get a bento next time!

By Shinkansen, we can reach Karuizawa from Tokyo in just an hour!!

After having a yummy bento and taking some rest on the train, it's time for our Karuizawa Trip!

Let's take some photos first!

"Come on, let's take a picture with the Hokuriku Shinkansen!"

"Wait, I wanna take a pic with the Samurai first.........."

(Hey guys, calm down please, we still need to take our friends to look around Karuizawa!)

Cycling Trip in Karuizawa

 

Remember we said that we would show you around Karuizawa in a different way? This time, we will do some exercise while we are visiting this beautiful city, Karuizawa!

Bicycle Rental Service (Not in service in winter)

Operating Hours: 07:00 - 21:00 (Last rental time at 17:00)
Location 1: Prince Hotel Karuizawa West (near the Kobushi Restaurant)
Location 2: Prince Hotel Karuizawa East (near the Lobby)
Tel.: 0267-42-1111
Price: 1,000 yen (within 2 hours)
Types: Bicycles for children and adults, tandem bicycles, electronic bicycles, and mountain bicycles (limited quantity)
Service starts in the middle of March (depends on the clearance of snow)

Address: Karuizawa Prince Hotel
Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano, 389-0193 Japan

Map: Google Map

Get on your bike and go!!

First, let's go to the shopping street where you can find many shops and cafe. How relaxing it is!!

"Look, the atmosphere here is so different from Tokyo. Everyone seems like enjoying themselves here."

"I agree! The pace here is slower and more relaxing. I just love it!!"

Karuizawa is a place where you can really relax yourself both physically and emotionally.

Speaking of ways to relieve your stress, how can we miss out SHOPPING!! Hey, it's time to do some shopping at the outlet mall, Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza!

Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
Address: Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasakugun, Nagano, 389-0102
Operating Hours:
10:00 - 19:00 (Shops)
10:00 - 19:00 (Food Court)
10:00 - 19:00 (Restaurants; Vary by store)
11:00 - 22:00 (Karuizawa Aji No Machi)
10:00 - 19:00 (Cafe)
09:30 - 19:30 (STARBUCKS COFFEE)
09:30 - 19:30 (TULLY'S COFFEE)
*Store hours vary by season.

Homepage: http://www.karuizawa-psp.jp/web/plazaguide/en/
Map: Google Map

Let's take a rest and get some food first!

Yakiniku (Japanese Grilled Meat)

For those meat lovers, Aging Beef is the best place for you to recharge your energy before continuing your shopping time. You can find tasty meat at reasonable prices here.

Aging Beef
Zone: AJ-09.10.11

Tel.: 0267-46-8581

At Aging Beef, you can find beef that is ripened. What is good about ripening? It is said that the tenderness of meat is highly improved which makes the meat more tasty. Haven't tried it before? Please come here and try it!!

Best Spot for Afternoon Tea

Mikado Coffee

At Mikado Coffee, you can find high quality coffee beans from around the world. Also, coffee beans are roasted and prepared by professionals for the customers. They try to retain the  bitterness, sourness, sweetness and astringency of coffee. They believe that the sourness of coffee is the best coffee taste bring out from the coffee beans.  We recommend you to give it a try at Mikado Coffee!

Mikado Coffee

Zone: CM-08

Tel.: 0267-42-0549

Homepage: http://mikado-coffee.com/

If you are not into coffee, don't worry, you can still try their popular Mocha Ice Cream! It is so good!! (280 yen/cone)

Let's take a break and relax a bit before we continue..........

Recommended Shops

A good news for those sports lovers. You can find a wide selection of sports wear and goods at SALOMON ARC'TERYX. Shall we try the famous GORE-TEX on?

SALOMON ACR'TERYX

Zone: E-23

Tel.: 0267-41-2256

Homepage: http://www.amerjapan.com/

Look at me! How do I look today? This is called the Karuizawa Style. Wanna dress like me? You can find fashionable items here at the nano.universe BASEMENT.

nano.universe BASEMENT

Zone: NW-01

On model:
One piece: 10,000 yen with tax
Denim shirt: 8,800 yen with tax (40% off now)
Sandals: 8,424 yen with tax (70% off now)
Handbag (small cosmetic bag included): 17,280 yen with tax (50% off now)

Look at the colorful pots and pans!

You can find this famous cookware shop at the Le Creuset Shop! Limited edition products can be found here too!!

LE CREUSET

Zone: NW-22

Tel.: 0267-41-1519

Homepage: http://www.lecreuset.co.jp

These yummy fruit jams are all free from artificial ingredients. They are made of seasonal Japanese fruits too! A huge selection of flavors for you to choose.

Sawaya
Zone: SC-08
Tel.: 0267-41-0074
Homepage: www.sawaya-jam.com



You can try the fruit jam with the bite size biscuits at the shop! Which one do you like the most?

♪ The Best Ways To Enjoy Karuizawa

How do you like our introduction this time? Never think about you can also ride on a bike and enjoy Japan in this way? As we said, Karuizawa is a place mixed with nature and fun places. So next time if you plan to visit Kanto area, please go and visit Karuizawa!!

Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
Address: Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasakugun, Nagano, 389-0102
Operating Hours:
10:00 - 19:00 (Shops)
10:00 - 19:00 (Food Court)
10:00 - 19:00 (Restaurants; Vary by store)
11:00 - 22:00 (Karuizawa Aji No Machi)
10:00 - 19:00 (Cafe)
09:30 - 19:30 (STARBUCKS COFFEE)
09:30 - 19:30 (TULLY'S COFFEE)
*Store hours vary by season.

Homepage: http://www.karuizawa-psp.jp/web/plazaguide/en/
Map: Google Map

Wanna get more and share your Japanese stories with us? Please join us on Google+ !!
See you there! :)

Google+