Walking around Karuizawa, you might start to imagine a life of owning a villa in this wonderful town. While this isn’t practical for most of us, you can visit Café Susu no Ne (旧軽井沢Cafe涼の音). This national tangible cultural property was a private villa of an American diplomat, Edwin O. Reischauer. Because the furnishings were left as they were, and only the furniture was repaired, it is a space for a taste of the life of the Westerners in the last century.
About Café Susu no Ne
The café is surrounded by greenery. The fresh green moss-covered garden is just gorgeous to adorn with a cup of tea. In the warmer months, the sound of wind chimes and bird chirps is the best setting to enjoy summertime in Japan. If you are lucky, you might spot a few wild squirrels!
The chestnut-colored building was originally an inn in the early Meiji period, so it was built around the same time as Alexander Croft Shaw House (ショーハウス記念館). It was then renovated and relocated to its current position in 1927. The house was used as Swedish legation towards the end of World War II. So it wasn’t until after the war that Café Susu no Ne became a villa.
Because it used to be a villa, the ambiance in Café Susu no Ne is like a holiday house in Western countries. When the weather is cold, listening to the crackling sound from the firewood stove is just calming (refer to the 4th photo in the IG post).
Moreover, you will find a jar filled with sunflower seeds and a water jar is marked with “犬用” at the veranda (refer to the photo below). The seeds are for the birds that visit the Café and the water is for guests’ pet dogs.
Important: Café Susu no Ne doesn’t have savory vegetarian light meal options.
Tips for Visiting Café Susu no Ne
- Make a reservation for the terrace or the sofa seats by the courtyard window. They are very popular.
- You can also reserve French Toast, a very popular dish which is usually sold out by lunchtime. The apple tarts are really nice too.
- Check with the staff if the coffee refill service is still free.
- The Café also has a small bicycle parking space.
Café Susu no Ne’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Café Susu no Ne is open from Thursday to Tuesday from
- 9 am to 11 am for breakfast
- 11:30 am to 4:30 pm for lunch
- The Café is closed in winter months.
- Café Susu no Ne is an 8-minute walk from the bus stop, Kyu-Karuizawa (旧軽井沢).
Tip: The café can be hard to find, but there are road signs along the way that tell you that you are in the right direction!
Murō Saisei Commemorative House (室生犀星記念館)
Opposite Café Susu no Ne is a traditional house completed in 1931. It was the summer villa of a famous Japanese poet and novelist called Murō Saisei. He was enchanted by Karuizawa‘s nature when he first visited the summer resort in 1920 and had been staying in this house since its completion each summer until he passed away.
No admission fee is charged here. So, remember to stop by this hidden spot to adore the beauty of the Japanese traditional house and garden!
Discover Other Vegetarian-Friendly Cafes and Restaurants in Karuizawa
Because there are many things to see in Karuizawa, you will most likely have more than one meals in this summer resort near Tokyo. Fortunately, there are more than one vegetarian-friendly cafes and restaurants so you don’t need to have the same type of cuisine over and over again.
So, refer to our article on the Vegetarian-Friendly Cafes and Restaurants in Karuizawa for other places to include in your itinerary!
