Karuizawa

Karuizawa is a highland resort town in Nagano Prefecture, sitting at around 1,000 meters on the forested slopes below Mount Asama. A missionary built the first summer villa here in the 1880s, and Tokyo families have ridden up to escape the heat ever since; the shinkansen now makes it effortless.

The Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza street handles strolling and souvenirs, and the wide outlet mall beside the station handles the rest. Cycling lanes thread the woods past old stone churches and villa gardens, and Shiraito Falls spreads a thin curtain of spring water through the forest north of town.

Summer is the classic season, cool and green while the lowlands swelter, with autumn color a close second. Winter opens a small ski hill and skating rinks close to town. Many visitors come as an overnight from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, pairing forest mornings with long cafe afternoons.