Neighbourhood - Hotel Indigo Karuizawa

Printmaker:
Mr Terry McKenna

~ Fascinated by the traditional art of Japan ~

Terry McKenna is an Australian woodblock printmaker living in Karuizawa. As a traditional Japanese woodblock print enthusiast, he trained in Kyoto and is devoted to sharing his skills with others in Japan and around the world.

KARUIZAWA GLASS STUDIO

~ The magic of glass blowing ~

In the Minami Karuizawa area, a five-minute drive from Hotel Indigo Karuizawa, is the Karuizawa Glass Studio of artist Kenji Ito. Here you can enjoy incredible views of Mount Asama. Various hands-on classes are available for everyone from elementary school students to adults, and you can create your own original glass goods. The works of Kenji Ito and other young glass artists are also on display and for sale, so you are sure to find the perfect souvenir.

Kenji was born in Toyama Prefecture in 1960, and has received high acclaim both at home and abroad for his overwhelming technique of glass blowing and his original forms. As well as holding solo exhibitions as one of the representative artists of the modern glass world, he has also worked as a lecturer at universities and has been actively involved in teaching young artists.

BICYCLE RENTAL

~Strolling in the Hotel’s Neighborhood~

We have begun offering bicycle rentals so that visitors can enjoy sightseeing in the lush, nature-rich Karuizawa area. We have prepared six bicycles by Louis Garneau, a Canadian company whose brand philosophy is “artistic bicycles for people who color the city.”

Please use the Neighbourhood Map, a map of the area around the hotel distributed at the front desk, as a reference to discover the colorful attractions of Karuizawa and create your own summer memories.

Hiroshi Senju Museum Karuizawa

In 2011, a unique museum combining art and architecture opened in Karuizawa.

The museum is home to one of the world’s most celebrated artists, Hiroshi Senju, who is based in Tokyo, Kyoto, and New York. The museum has a great collection of Hiroshi Senju’s work, thanks to Ryue Nishizawa and the artist himself.

The project was born of Senju’s interest in expressing the synthesis between nature and culture in his work. This museum combines art, nature, and architecture through its collection of 60,000 plants and the change in color that occurs throughout the year.

Visitors to the museum will be able to enjoy a collaboration between two of Japan’s proudest world-class artists in a museum that combines Senju’s work and the forests of Karuizawa.

Photo: Taichi Ano © Senju Hiroshi Karuizawa Museum of Art.

Wakita Art Museum

The collection of approximately 1,000 works includes a wide variety of oil paintings, drawings, and prints. The collection is composed of approximately 1,000 oil paintings, drawings, and prints, beginning with Man Ray’s “Two People” from 1914 and continuing with his contemporary works.

The museum is located in a beautiful forest and garden setting, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy the richness of nature.

After studying painting in Berlin, Germany, as a teenager, Wakita Kazu received numerous international awards after the war. His paintings of birds, children, and flowers that we see in everyday life with warm colors and shapes attract people from all over the world.

Photo courtesy of Wakita Art Museum

Muro Saisei Kinenkan Museum

A memorial hall built on the site of the birthplace of Saisei Muro, one of the three great writers of Kanazawa. It is a place where you can meet Mr. Muro’s way of life and the charm of his literary world. Fascinated by the charm of Karuizawa, he built a villa in this area and lived there until just before his death. The beautiful moss-covered garden is said to have been built by the owner himself, creating a fantastical atmosphere reminiscent of Saisei.

Photo courtesy of Murou Saisei Memorial Hall

Shiraito Waterfall

This waterfall is the headwaters of the Yugawa River, and the hundreds of strands of underground water falling like white threads down the curved rock walls is a must-see. In the fall, visitors can enjoy the wonderful autumn colors of the leaves. The waterfall is 3 meters high and 70 meters wide and brings a cool, refreshingly air to the surrounding area. Enjoy the scenery that changes with the seasons, including projection mapping and artificial icicles.

KOMOBA POND

Located on the border between Nagano and Gunma prefectures, the Kumoba Pond commands views of the three mountains of Jyoshu; the Nikko mountain range, the majestic Mount Asama and Mount Yatsugatake. Also known as ‘Swan Lake’, the lake is characterised by the beautiful sight of various flowers and green forests reflected on its surface. With a promenade encircling it, a 20-minute walk around the lake provides you with a chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of your surroundings.

Mt. Hanareyama

Mt. Hanareyama is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The path is well-maintained and it takes about one hour to climb the mountain, making it an easy and enjoyable climb. On a clear day, you can see not only Mount Asama but also the whole town of Karuizawa, making it an ideal place to refresh your body and mind by experiencing the magnificent scenery and nature.

Karuizawa Taliesin

The Karuizawa Taliesin is a great place to enjoy the great outdoors with your family all year round. The facilities surrounding Lake Shiozawa offer a variety of activities for both parents and children to enjoy. For those interested in art, literature, or history, there are plenty of options to choose from. And for those looking for a more active adventure, the lake offers hand-pulled boats, pedal boats, and bicycle-type water striders. The go-cart track and the cycle monorail are also popular attractions. No matter what your interests are, there’s something for everyone at the Karuizawa Taliesin!