Spectacular art, exquisite nature and strong historical vibes; Karuizawa has it all. You’d be hard pressed to find a destination as unique and as close to Tokyo as this. And, with the interesting local cuisine, relaxing atmosphere, beautiful nature and an activity to match pretty much any interest, I’m surprised I hadn’t heard about this place sooner.pp

Pour les Japonais, l’évocation de Karuizawa rime avec nature luxuriante et air pur des montagnes. Quelques kilomètres à peine séparent le plateau, à 1000m d’altitude et où se trouve la ville, du col d’Usuitouge – frontière naturelle avec la préfecture voisine de Gunma et voie de communication ancienne, déjà fréquentée sous l’ère Edo ! Il est un point de vue formidable sur la nature environnante, qui s’enflamme une fois l’automne venu.pp

This pond, sometimes called “Swan Lake” because the swans tend to fly in winter, has stunning, changeable scenery throughout all four seasons. Take a stroll around the pond and relax among the nature. A trip around the whole pond should take about twenty minutes.pp

A shrine in the old Nakasendo Way up to Usui pass. This shrine is particularly unique thanks to its location, where the front approach to the shrine and the centre of the main shrine are located on the border line of Nagano and Gunma Prefecture. In the nearby tea shop, you can eat local specialty […]pp

Although Kobayashi Daizo was the main carpenter, the villagers all took part in creating this historical, wooden structure. Designed by Okada Tokitaro, it was designated Important Cultural Property in 1980. Since many famous financial business men and trade merchants from all around the world would stay here, it was called “Karuizawa’s Rokumeikan” (A Rokumeikan was […]pp

This historical structure, designed by Antonin Raymond, has become known as the symbol of Karuizawa. It features a steep, triangular roof and a big steeple, with thick pillars assembled in a scissors shape towards the ceiling.pp