Famous for stunning autumn leaves, a snowy Tokyo getaway and factory outlet brand shopping -(although not my personal favourite) Karuizawa can be a lovely family getaway.
WHERE TO STAY IN KARUIZAWA WITH KIDS?
APA Karuizawa
Although I usually don’t like APA hotels, the one in Karuizawa has a great reputation.
WHERE TO EAT IN KARUIZAWA WITH KIDS?
Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura
This is probably the most well-known and most beautiful restaurant in the area – and for a good reason. Freshly baked bread and locally grown vegetables – served in a large wooden farmhouse. Lunch options include hamburgers and pasta and at dinner time? At dinner the restaurant becomes more of a bistro – serving wine and tapas style food.
I recommend buying some of their homemade jam to take home on your way out.
I recommend making a reservation. They do accept most major credit cards. The entire restaurant is non-smoking. They do have an English menu and a kids’ menu. The restaurant will ask for the age of your children when you make a reservation.
Budget here – I would expect to pay around 2500-3000 yen per adult for lunch or dinner (less for breakfast.)
This restaurant is easiest to get to by car but ask your accommodation if they do a shuttle. If not, it is 20 mins walk from Karuizawa Station (or 5-10 min taxi ride.)
BAKERY & RESTAURANT SAWAMURA KARUIZAWA
12-18 KARUIZAWA, KARUIZAWA-CHO, KITAZAKU DISTRICT, NAGANO
OPEN EVERYDAY FROM 7AM-9PM (LAST ORDER 8PM)
Karuizawa Vegetable Kokoperi (Smoothies & Salads)
Great place to grab a smoothie or a fresh juice using local produce.
All drinks are just under 1000 yen. All organic. They also sell organic salad dressing, jams and pasta sauce to take home.
They do accept most major credit cards.
KOKOPERI
HARUNIRE TERRACE, HOSHINO, KARUIZAWA-CHO
OPEN EVERYDAY 10AM-6PM (FROM 9AM ON WEEKENDS)
Shabu Shabu & Traditional Japanese Restaurant *Sakuya Honten”
This “soup stock & Shinshu meal” restaurant is family friendly and a great way to try Japanese food as a family (even the fussiest of kids love Shabu Shabu as they can choose their own ingredients and cook them at the table.) You can order a set meal or go a la carte. The menu and ingredients change with the seasons. Most popular dishes are Shabu Shabu or Sukiyaki made with Tajima Beef as well as Unagi (eel) served on rice. Sakuya also serve Sashi and grilled fish of the season. The restaurant and the view is also beautiful. They have a children’s menu and they are happy to store strollers. There is an English menu and a vegetarian menu.
Budget wise, I would expect to pay around 3000 yen per adult meal here (slightly more if you decide to try out some local wine.). Sakuya Honten accept most major credit cards.
It is 5 mins walk from the south exit of Karuizawa Station. The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
Please note that there is a 400 yen service charge per adult when dining after 5pm (to say thank you for your service charge, you are given a small seasonal appetizer called “otoshi”)
SAKUYA HONTEN
軽井沢プリンスショッピングプラザ ガーデンモールＧＭ12
INSIDE THE GARDEN MALL AT THE KARUIZAWA PRINCE SHOPPING PLAZA
OPEN 11AM-10PM (LAST ORDER AT 9:30PM)
Pizza-La Express
This sounds like a funny recommendation but, hear me out. Pizza-La is a chain much like Pizza Hut or Dominos in Japan. But their Pizza-La branch is Karuizawa is so pretty – like a (very casual) Pizza-La lodge style restaurant in the snow! They also do takeout but I recommend dining in. Be aware that Japanese pizza toppings can be pretty eclectic (corn and tinned tuna and chillies etc) so you can decide to be traditional or venture out like the locals. They also serve pancakes here as well as beer and wine – which makes it a really fun and easy option for families. Seating is also available on the terrace.
PIZZA-LA EXPRESS FOOD & CAFE
長野県北佐久郡軽井沢1074-5
1074-5 KARUIZAWA, KITASAKU-GUN, NAGANO
OPEN FOR LUNCH 11AM-2PM
OPEN FOR DINNER 4PM-10PM
Wa-Bistro Gokan ( Traditional Japanese, Japanese Curry, Soba Noodles)
Wa-Bistro means Japanese style Bistro and this large restaurant welcomes families (although I recommend making a reservation.)
It is 5 mins in a taxi from Karuizawa Station. At dinner time I would budget for 6000 yen per adult and more like 3000 yen at lunchtime. They accept most major credit cards here.
I recommend ordering the seasonal produce curry.
Please note that there is a 500 yen service charge per person when dining at dinner time.
This restaurant also has high chairs but please mention that you’ll need one when you book so they don’t all get snapped up early.
WA-BISTRO GOKAN
軽井沢1146-1 ベルジューレ軽井沢 1F
GROUND FLOOR, VERJURE KARUIZAWA, 1146-1 KARUIZAWA
YEAR ROUND ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES IN KARUIZAWA
Karuizawa Prince Hotel’s Athletic Park
Here, kids can ride a zipline or take part in a” laser gun battle” or climb and play on the giant climbing net.
WINTER EVENTS FOR FAMILIES IN KARUIZAWA
Ice-skating
From late Oct to early March – there is ice-skating on a naturally frozen lake at Kera-Ike (Kera Lake.)
Frozen Field
This is a whole area set up with outdoor winter games (such as curling and mini-ice hockey) on weekends from late Jan until the end of February. Winners can receive treats as a prize.
Outdoor Pop-Up Onsen and Tent Sauna at Beb5 Karuizawa Hoshino Resort
Onsen use at Hoshino Resorts Karuizawa
It is possible to also use the onsens at Hoshino Resorts without being staying guests at Tonbo Onsen. It is 1550 yen for adults, 1050 yen for kids and kids under 2 are free.
Christmas Tree
The Hoshino Area also has a large Christmas tree in the main square that looks so beautiful in the snow. It is lit from 4pm -10pm daily from late Nov to Christmas Day.
AUTUMN EVENTS FOR FAMILIES IN KARUIZAWA
Karuizawa Forest Piano
A piano is placed in the middle of a forest area in Karuizawa and anyone is welcome to play. There are also events with professional pianists taking requests for favourite songs. It really is magical to listen to live music right under the bright orange and yellow leaves in the Hoshino area.
The piano is out in the forest on weekends from the beginning of October from 11am-4pm (not available if it rains.)
Outdoor Autumn Library
Over 500 books are placed on outdoor bookshelves under the leaves in the Hoshino Area for the Kohyou (Autumn Leaves) Library. There is also a small cafe. Visitors can have a drink and a slice of cake and flip through the books while enjoying the autumn sunshine. Open from the beginning of October until early November from 10am-4:30pm (cancelled if it rains.)
