When you walk on Old Karuizawa Ginza Street (軽井沢銀座通り), you will notice that there are several bakeries on this 750-meter-long street. Some of them even have a cafe serving light meals! Because each of them has its charm, if you are unsure which one to visit, read on for an introduction to the most popular […]
A Guide to the Top Bakeries on Old Karuizawa Ginza Street Read More »
Karuizawa is surely a top-class scenic summer resort close to Tokyo. But spending an entire day exploring the town can be tiring for many. So how about visiting a cafe with a nice ambiance on Old Karuizawa Gina Street for a break and enjoying a plate of nice dessert with a cup of coffee or
A Guide to the Best Cafes on Old Karuizawa Ginza Street 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 Cafés and Restaurants in Karuizawa Read More »
If you like curry or spices, visit Sajilo Cafe Forest (サジロカフェ・フォレスト), close to Karuizawa’s best gelato shop, L’ibisco! Following the alley from Old Karuizawa Ginza Street, you will soon see a cute white house in the leafy area. Sajilo means cozy in Nepalese. While it doesn’t have a typical curry house look, you will surely
Sajilo Cafe Forest: Karuizawa’s Best Vegan-Friendly Spot Read More »
HARUNIRE Terrace (ハルニレテラス) is a commercial complex in Karuizawa operated by the famous Hoshino Resort. The traditional-look terrace has the Yu River (湯川) flowing on its right and is surrounded by a Japanese elm forest. With many trendy restaurants and boutique shops, the terrace is one of the most popular spots in Naka-Karuizawa for those
HARUNIRE Terrace, Where You Dine and Shop in Naka-Karuizawa Read More »
On a hot summer day, the best spot to visit on Nakamachi Street is Nakamachi Hyouka Ten (中町氷菓店). You will find phenomenal shaved ice made from natural ice made in Yamanashi Prefecture. We were a little bit hesitant to make an order because 1,500 yen isn’t exactly cheap. However, after taking the first bite, we
Nakamachi Hyouka Ten and Its Amazing Shaved Ice Read More »
The beckoning cat temple, Gōtokuji, is so famous among international tourists that the spot is already probably on your itinerary for Tokyo! If you are not in a hurry, we recommend stopping by one of the cafes or shops near Gōtokuji. Quite a few of them have cutely designed maneki-neko products too! The sweets created
The Recommended Spots Near the Lucky Cat Temple, Gōtokuji Read More »
If you are a coffee lover, Chouette Torréfacteur Laboratoire (梟焙煎研究所) is the place to go close to Gōtokuji. You will find the locally rumored “ultimate espresso (究極のエスプレッソ)” there. Apparently, the owner, Takayama-san (髙山さん), previously worked at a Michelin three-star restaurant in France, hence the French café name and the delicious food and coffee served! Not
Chouette Torréfacteur Laboratoire: A Hidden Gem in Setagaya Read More »
Zenkoji Temple is the landmark around Nagano Station. Speaking of temple, the term Shōjin Ryōri (精進料理) might pop into your head. The best place to try the monk cuisine close to the temple is Fuchinobō (淵之坊). It is one of the 39 sub-temples of Zenkoji Temple that allow visitors to stay overnight (Shukubō, 宿坊). If
Fuchinobō: Nagano’s Top Shukubō & Its Exquisite Shōjin Ryōri Read More »
When you visit noodle restaurants in Japan, have you noticed that there is almost always a small round can of spice on one side of the table for you to add more flavor to your noodle soup? If you like the blend that is known as Shichimi in Japanese, the shop that you must visit
Yawataya Isogoro: Japan’s Signatory 7 Spice (Shichimi) Shop Read More »
