If you are looking for the most magical photo spot in Saitama, the Kadokawa Musashino Museum (角川武蔵野ミュージアム) is likely at the top of your list. Often called the ‘Harry Potter library of Japan’ due to its towering 8-meter-tall shelves and ‘Hogwarts vibes,’ this architectural marvel by Kengo Kuma is a must-visit for book lovers and […]
Kadokawa Musashino Museum: Japan’s Harry Potter Library Read More »
While many scenic natural spots are not usually close to a train station, Kumoba Pond (雲場池) in Karuizawa is just a 20-minute walk from Karuizawa Station! The spot that was nicknamed Swan Lake (スワンレイク) by Westerners is a place with a very calm atmosphere that you will surely love!
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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
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Just a station away from Karuizawa Station, Naka-Karuizawa has been gaining tourists’ attention! The area has abundant nature along the Yu River (湯川). But that doesn’t mean that heading into the wild is the only thing you can do there. In fact, it is the opposite! Starting with HARUNIRE Terrace, a modern commercial complex for
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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.
Oiwake-Shuku, the 20th Post Town On the Old Nakasendōndo Read More »
In addition to Uchimura Kanzō Memorial Stone Church (石の教会 内村鑑三記念堂), another church that can excite architectural buffs is Karuizawa St. Paul’s Catholic Church (軽井沢聖パウロカトリック教会). Designed by the famous American architect Antonin Raymond, the church is another landmark in Karuizawa. It was where the first Christian wedding for non-Christians was held in Japan, and nowadays, a
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While many are aware that Karuizawa is a summer resort close to Tokyo, what you may not know about Karuizawa is that it is also a great destination to admire contemporary art. Particularly in the Naka-Karuizawa area, art museums and uncommon architecture are tucked inside the picturesque nature. So if you want a trip more
The Must-Visit Museums in Naka-Karuizawa Read More »
Kumanokōtai Shrine (熊野皇大神社), close to the Usui Pass Observation Platform, is a rare shrine you will want to visit. Not only does it sit on a prefectural borderline, but the central watershed (中央分水嶺) can also be found in the precinct! Because the shrine’s precinct is across two prefectures, the shrine consists of two religious institutions
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Opposite Bon Okawa Karuizawa Chocolate Factory, on the other side of the bullet train track, there is a cafe you must visit if you are a coffee person. In fact, you might have already visited one of the coffee chain’s stores in Tokyo! Opened in 1991, Maruyama Coffee (丸山珈琲) is infamous for its high-quality coffee,
Maruyama Coffee: The Must-Visit Cafe in Karuizawa Read More »
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 »
