Tours & Activities in Karuizawa

Picchio's nature watching tour takes advantage of the abundant nature surrounding Karuizawa and immerses guests in a tranquil, forest environment where they can enjoy and appreciate nature the way it is. There is the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife including Japanese squirrels, montane brown frogs and many bird species. The expert guides share their knowledge and passion in the hope of inspiring people to continue to love and engage with Japanese nature.

Karuizawa must be at the top of your list, if you’re looking for cooling-off place and a weekend getaway close to Tokyo. Hop on the bullet train at Tokyo Station and you’ll reach this mountain town in Nagano prefecture in just about 60 minutes. Karuizawa is known for Perfect Summer Retreats, shopping, beautiful forest and foods. This small-group tour explores the Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza shopping street, where Karuizawa's one of the most popular streets. Your guide leads you through Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza shopping street to visit food vendors and local places. Sample a local hot dog, deep fried curry bread, fried mashed potato, and local sweets on this in-depth experience of the legendary summer resort. ・Great way to get a sense for Karuizawa's street food culture ・Sample a range of street foods & sweets ・Eat and drink like a Japanese local ・Photography tour *We will be on hand to take some happy snaps which will be shared with you after the tour!

You will go around famous sightseeing spots in Hokushin (Northern Nagano) area. First, you will see the Jigokudani Wild Snow Monkey Park worldly known for its snow monkeys. Then you will go to Obuse Town, which is reputed for its town renewal project vitalizing the historical heritages such as Hokusai Katsushika.

Shinanoji Nature Trail is a hiking course about 10km in length, which is almost a descent from the peak teahouse. Walk about 7,5 km to the hot spots in Oze, which has many attractions. A downhill trek is relaxed while being healed by the colorful miscellaneous trees and larch forest. You can also see the two famous Karuizawa waterfalls (Shiraito Falls and Dragon Falls) along the way. This course is recommended for people who are not always confident in their physical fitness, and young and old alike, since the entire trip is almost a descent. From Oze Onsen, it is also possible to return to the peak chaya parking lot by bus or directly to Karuizawa Station.

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Karuizawa! Karuizawa is a quaint mountain resort that’s rich in nature and a prime leisure destination. From stunning natural landscapes to fun filled man made attractions, there’s always something to see and do in the place John Lennon loved to escape to. In this guide, we’ll introduce some of the best things to do when you visit, so you can pick what suits you, without the stress. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Enjoy a leisurely cycling tour of Karuizawa's classic spots. After renting a bicycle in front of Karuizawa Station, head to Kumobaike Pond, Karuizawa's most scenic spot. After getting off the bike and strolling around for a while, head to Old Karuizawa through the wooded villa area. While touring the narrow paths of the backstreets of Old Karuizawa, we will guide you to classic spots such as St. Paul's Catholic Church, Shaw Memorial Chapel, and the Karuizawa Association Tennis Court, famous for the romance between the Emperor and Empress. The entire route is flat, so people of all ages and genders can participate. For parents and children or couples, there is also a tandem (two-seater) tour unique to Karuizawa!

We recommend visiting Karuizawa sightseeing spots for those who want to go around sightseeing spots in Karuizawa efficiently in a short time, or for the first time in Karuizawa. A local taxi driver guides you through the sights. Karuizawa is a course where you can experience the history, culture, and nature of Karuizawa, starting with the former Karuizawa area, which is the birthplace of Karuizawa, to the power spot "Kumano imperial shrine" and the scenic spot "Kumoba Pond".

Tour highlights: A long time ago, it was said that it was the most difficult place on Nakasendo. In this tour, we will aim for a scenic spot from the former Karuizawa Ginza through the boardwalk of the Suigaki Pass. The trail through the wooded villa has a promenade, and it takes about 1 hour to arrive at the viewing station. From the view point, the scenic views of Mt. Asama and Mt. As it is a simple hiking course, you can participate regardless of age and sex. As it will be disbanded freely at the view point, you can stop at Kumano Imperial Shrine and take a break at a teahouse and the like. On the way back, you can either return on the way you came, or take the bus back to the old Karuizawa. Travel time: Former Karuizawa Ginza ⇒ (碓 峠 promenade) 見 Mikarudai (local dissolution) * For each return trip, either return on the way or go to old Karuizawa by bus.

There are many famous gardens around Japan, and few countries can surpass Japan’s traditions when it comes to cultivating ornamental plants. An English visitor to the country in the 1800s even said in comparison to his home country that “if a love of plants could measure the level of a civilization, then Japan’s would be far superior”. One of the most famous of those gardens is located in the small city of Ashikaga, north of Tokyo. Here you will be greeted by flowers of many kinds planted so that something is always in bloom from February until November. The wisteria here are particularly famous, and bring huge crowds in April and May looking to catch sight of the lavender colored flowers. Ashikaga City has even more to offer besides the gardens, including Japan’s oldest school, the Ashikaga Gakko, a place of learning for Samurai children for centuries, and the beautiful Orihime Shrine, with great panoramic views and multi-colored Torii Gates beckoning visitors up its steps.

Tokyo metropolitan is composed by several areas and cities. Fly over Shibuya,Shinjuku in the downtown, and Ueno-Asakusa area.You will see the Skytree and Tokyo tower are also attractive in this tour.

This value-packed trip with a government-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Karuizawa! Karuizawa is a quaint mountain resort that’s rich in nature and a prime leisure destination. From stunning natural landscapes to fun filled man made attractions, there’s always something to see and do in the place John Lennon loved to escape to. In this guide, we’ll introduce some of the best things to do when you visit, so you can pick what suits you, without the stress. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a four-hours tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The National Government Licensed Guide Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

This private and customizable tour for Karuizawa is ideal for guests who want their trip tailored to their interests and preferences, ensuring they can explore the city at their own speed. With our personalized approach, guests can delve into Karuizawa's charm, discovering its unique sights and experiences curated just for them. Whether it's seeking adventure or embracing serenity, our tour caters to every preference, promising an unforgettable journey through Karuizawa's wonders.

It is a trekking tour with an exclusive guide to the summit of the small Asama mountain of the Asama mountain foot. Koasayama is a parasitic volcano on the eastern foot of Mt. Asama at an altitude of 1,655 m. A guide will guide you through the formation and vegetation of Mt. Asama and aim at the summit. As it is about two and a half hours by round trip, if you are new to mountain climbing, you can feel free to participate regardless of age or sex. From the top of the mountain covered by the volcano, the spectacular Mt. Asama and the wonderful prospects await.

Walk past Karuizawa inn from the former Nakayama Road to the Sakamoto inn. Sui Hui is a place that was once said to be the most difficult place in Zhongshan Road. At the top of the Usui Pass, you can see the view point of the Kanto plains panoramic view and the Kumano Imperial Shrine, which is famous for its power spots. After that, while going down the borge weir, we aim for Sakamoto inn while passing "Yamanaka teahouse ruins", "Sakamoto inn" with a panoramic view "Nagi". At the end of the trekking we will stop by and guide you to the hot spring "Kotonoyu". Slowly bathe in the hot spring, but if you are on your way back to Yokogawa Station, return to Karuizawa by bus.

Whether you are a child or a foreign tourist, anyone can enjoy authentic soba noodle making experience at Shinshu Soba Restaurant Yamahei in Karuizawa Prince Outlets (5-minute walk from Karuizawa Shinkansen Station). An Experienced instructor will carefully guide you through the process of kneading, stretching, and cutting soba noodles. The finished soba noodles will be served with tempura and the famous walnut sauce on the spot.

Qualified instructors will provide easy-to-understand and kind instruction in skiing and telemarking for beginners to intermediate skiers. The content of the lessons can be changed between morning and afternoon, so please feel free to join with your family. We recommend Karuizawa because it is close to Tokyo and the station, but it is possible to go to other areas near Kanto. Lessons for children under 12 years old are OK, but there are restrictions on the number of children depending on their age.

Lesson will be given by a professional Soba chef with an English translator. Young and old can enjoy it at ease.

A guided tour that uses snowshoe to trek the vast field of Asama. Courses for beginners, intermediates, and advanced students can be selected depending on the level, so anyone of all ages can participate. While looking for traces of wild animals and observing wild birds, you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of Mt. Asama and the superb view.

Japan is a country of volcanoes and deep forests, with boiling pools of water bubbling up from the earth found scattered throughout the land. Since ancient times, Japanese people have put these natural resources to great use through utilizing this naturally heated and mineral filled water to make baths designed to heal the body and relax the mind. This tradition is still ongoing, and there is nowhere better to observe it than Kusatsu. One of Japan’s most famous Onsen (hot springs) and consistently ranked the best Onsen in Eastern Japan for centuries, this town provides an amazing landscape centered around the Yubatake, a giant “field” of water coming from deep under the earth and from which the bath water for the local establishments is harvested. This tour will bring you through an amazing natural landscape of dried lava on Mount Asama before an afternoon of relaxation and great views in Kusatsu, the preferred getaway for all classes of Japanese going back centuries.