Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi
Besides Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, Takayama is one of the most-visited cities by overseas tourists. Because the region’s typical must-eat food is Hida Beef, you might think it would be hard to find vegan or vegetarian-friendly diners. But that isn’t the case! The city is rather vegan-friendly compared to many other regional destinations in Japan. …
The Best Guide to the Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Takayama Read More »
Compared to the neighborhood around Karuizawa Station, the Naka-Karuizawa area is less commercialized, so you might be worried about not being able to find vegetarian/vegan food there. Surprisingly, there are a couple of good options in Naka-Karuizawa. Although getting to them requires a degree of effort as they aren’t located close to the train station, the food …
The Best Guide to Naka-Karuizawa’s Vegan-Friendly Restaurants Read More »
Kusatsu Onsen is undoubtedly one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns. But it would be a waste if your trip to Gunma Prefecture ended at Kusatsu Onsen only, as there are many amazing destinations in the surrounding areas that may interest you!
A scenic spot to visit in Karuizawa is Karuizawa Lake Garden (軽井沢レイクガーデン). The spacious ground of around 33,000㎡ is divided into 8 areas. Each of them is skillfully designed so that while the plants grow freely with minimal human touches, the gardens still appear to be picturesque. So as you stroll around Karuizawa Lake Garden, …
Karuizawa’s Best Flower-Adoring Spot: Karuizawa Lake Garden Read More »
If you are a big Ghibli fan, the newly opened Ghibli Park (ジブリパーク) is probably at the top of your bucket list. The theme park is where you can meet the characters in classic Ghibli films, such as Totoro from My Neighbor Totoro and Yubaba from Spirited Away! But the problem is you can’t just …
The Ultimate Guide to How to Purchase Ghibli Park Ticket Read More »
You might already be aware that to the Japanese, trains are sometimes more than just vehicles that carry you from A to B. Unlike most countries in the world, Japan’s Sightseeing Trains don’t just run between the tourist attractions in the rural areas. They operate on normal train tracks between cities and prefectures, and compared …
Rokumon: The Sightseeing Train Connecting Karuizawa & Nagano Read More »
Karuizawa, one of Japan’s leading highland resorts, is a great place to stay for a day or overnight trip from Tokyo. Since the Meiji period, the post town, Karuizawa-Shuku, has received many foreign visitors, which is why the traditional township now has several Western-style villas and churches. The town, filled with delicious cafes and restaurants, …
The Ultimate Guide to Karuizawa; Japan’s Top Highland Resort Read More »
As one of Japan’s best highland resorts, Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture has many charms, and one of them is the delicious food and drinks served in the lovely town. The spots with a nice ambiance are the perfect places to stop by after spending a couple of hours exploring. Because cafés and restaurants are almost …
The Recommended Cafes and Restaurants in Karuizawa Read More »
Remaining unknown to many, the old post town, Oiwake-Shuku (追分宿), is just two stations away from Karuizawa Station. The area is filled with many historical buildings, so it is a perfect spot to escape from the crowd in Karuizawa‘s town center for a calm and traditional ambiance.
Important: Mampei Hotel is closed for renovations and repair work until 2024’s summer. Whether you are after an accommodation facility or not, Mampei Hotel (万平ホテル), close to Old Karuizawa Ginza Street, is worth a visit. With its top-quality hospitality, the well-kept hotel, partially Westernized and re-opened in 1894, is still one of the best hotels …
The Ultimate Guide to Karuizawa’s Best Hotel – Mampei Hotel Read More »