City Escape Plan: Destination - Karuizawa
☀️ Not heading to the beach this summer? Then venture into the forest.
Escape into the lush green summer of Karuizawa and give yourself a vacation that truly breathes.
When the city is scorching and air conditioning isn't enough,
what you need isn't just cooling down, but complete refreshment.
So set off for Karuizawa, a summer retreat that "breathes."
Here, you'll find forests, streams, waterfalls, the aroma of coffee, and the chirping of cicadas.
🍃 How to enjoy Karuizawa in summer?
1. Kumoba Pond (雲場池)
The "Green Mirror" exclusive to early summer mornings
In summer, Kumoba Pond is so green it feels like a dream.
The water reflects the forest, and the tranquility makes even the birdsong sound layered.
Take a morning walk or bike ride here—it feels like stepping into a Miyazaki film.
📸 Best photo time: 7–9 AM, when the sunlight is perfect and reflections are at their peak.
Recommended visit duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
2. Shiraito Falls (白糸の滝)
A natural air conditioner to soothe all summer heat
The temperature drops instantly—not in a fridge, but here.
With abundant summer water flow, the falls resemble delicate threads, surrounded by mist—a perfect spot for cooling off, taking photos, or simply zoning out.
Tip: You can dip your feet in the stream—it’s genuinely icy!
Recommended visit duration: 20–40 minutes
🧒 Suitable for: families, seniors, low physical effort
✨ Bonus tip: The surrounding trails are also beautiful, ideal for walking and photography.
3. Hoshino Onsen × Harunire Terrace (ハルニレテラス)
A literary summer hideaway
Don’t want to deal with crowds? Head to Harunire Terrace.
This is a secret artistic retreat in Karuizawa’s forest,
featuring wooden cabins, coffee shops, bookstores, a stream, and hot springs.
Perfect for spending an afternoon in a café reading, daydreaming, or writing,
or simply watching cyclists pass by outside.
Hot spring recommendation: Hoshino Onsen - Tombo-no-Yu
📷 Photo spots: wooden boardwalks, the entrance of Hoshino Library
🍴 Food & drink recommendations: • Maruyama Coffee • Kawakami-an • Sawamura Bakery
4. Karuizawa Taliesin Park (軽井沢タリアセン)
A family-friendly summer paradise with flowers, lakes, and whimsical charm
Switch to fairy tale mode instantly—perfect for a full day of family fun!
Here, you’ll find boating, horseback riding, a rose garden, art galleries, and forest restaurants.
Summer also features special outdoor activities and craft workshops that both kids and adults will love.
🌹 June–August is the peak season for the rose garden—don’t miss it!
Recommended visit duration: 2+ hours
🎨 Featured artists: Kazuo Wakita, with art and literature museums complementing each other
5. Old Karuizawa Ginza Street (旧軽井沢銀座通り)
A summer-exclusive "handcrafted" street
Summer afternoons are perfect for a leisurely stroll here.
Enjoy a fruit ice cream, take home handmade jam, or pick out a straw hat while exploring the old streets.
Don’t forget to try the locally recommended Karuizawa pudding—it melts in your mouth and is perfect for summer!
🎁 Souvenir recommendations: blueberry jam, Shinshu miso, forest-themed scented candles
Recommended visit duration: 1.5–2 hours
6. Karuizawa Kogen Church (軽井沢高原教会)
"Make eternal vows amidst light and greenery"
Though small, this church exudes a calming atmosphere.
Its wooden structure blends seamlessly with the surrounding forest, bathed in light during the day and illuminated by candlelight at night like a fairy tale.
Even if you’re not attending a wedding, feel free to visit or join the weekend candlelight service.
Recommended visit duration: 30–60 minutes
❤️ Recommended for: couples, photography enthusiasts
✨ Bonus: Nearby is the Stone Church (内村鑑三記念堂), a stunning fusion of architectural beauty and natural power.
7. Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza (軽井沢・プリンスショッピングプラザ)
"Shop to your heart’s content and have fun too"
Just minutes from Karuizawa Station, this is one of Japan’s largest outlet malls.
It offers international brands, discounts, a kids’ play area, pet-friendly zones, lakeside lawns, and coffee shops.
Shopping here becomes an enjoyable experience.
Recommended visit duration: 2–3 hours (half a day for avid shoppers)
👜 Brands: Coach, Burberry, Nike, BEAMS, MUJI, etc.
👨👩👧👦 Suitable for: families, couples, group trips
🚲 Karuizawa summer travel tips:
• 🚴♀️ Rent a bike—it’s super convenient and therapeutic to explore the town.
• 🎐 Summer-exclusive events: forest music festivals, Hoshino night markets, outdoor craft workshops, etc.
• 👒 Outfit suggestions: straw hat + sunscreen + comfortable shoes; bring a light jacket as temperatures drop in the morning and evening.
Summer isn’t meant to be hot—it’s meant to be enjoyed.
If you want to escape the sweltering city, Karuizawa will welcome you with open arms,
using its green forests, morning mist, and unhurried pace of life
to show you that a true summer is light, quiet, and free from anxiety.
Come with stories, leave with memories.
This time, it’s not about ticking off destinations—it’s about starting to truly live.
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