NEIGHBOURHOOD
Authentic encounters and connections you can only find here
A flourishing town during the Edo period, Karuizawa is now one of Japan’s premium year-round resorts.
Hotel Indigo Karuizawa puts you in the heart of the action, near golf courses, hot springs and waterfalls, as well as exhilarating downhill ski runs.
Hotel Indigo Karuizawa tells the story of its own neighbourhood. The Neighbourhood Story weaves through every touchpoint of the guest journey,
creating experiences that are genuinely local, full of discovery, and truly memorable.
Experience the best of hospitality in Karuizawa, where Western and Eastern cultures converge.
Summer Invitation to the Neighborhood
Even in September, summer days are still continuing in many parts of Japan.
Karuizawa is an easy place to escape the summer heat, but here are some “cool” spots where you can get some relief from the heat.
A hidden spot near the famous Shiraito Falls. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the water formations created by the dynamic waterfall and the natural coolness of the water.
There is a nature trail leading to Shiraito Falls, and trekking while listening to the murmuring of the river is a relaxing experience.
This is one of Karuizawa’s most scenic spots. Located on the border between Nagano and Gunma prefectures, you can enjoy a sense of openness as you look out over not only the majestic Mount Asama, but also the mountain range stretching to the Gunma side.
Take a break with a cup of tea and “chikimochi” (rice cake), a specialty at a teahouse on the pass, where you can cool off.
A 20-minute drive from the hotel. The area still retains the atmosphere of Karuizawa, which was an inn town in the Edo period, and offers a relaxing stroll through history with general stores, museums, restaurants, and other facilities. Every year in July, “Bako-uta Michu” is held, in which visitors dress up in Edo period costumes and reenact the traffic on the Nakasendo Highway. Many facilities close in the fall, so a visit during the summer is recommended.
The first Catholic church in Karuizawa was built by an English priest in 1935. Located on a quiet waterwheel street one street off the Old Karuizawa Ginza, it is a place of tranquility and serenity. It is a place where you can calm your mind and get away from the summer heat.
INSPIRE NEW STORIES
Explore Hotel Indigo Karuizawa
Your story in Karuizawa
~ 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.
~ 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.
~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.”
KARUIZAWA EXPLORER
Discover Karuizawa’s rich culture and natural beauty.
With its natural beauty and rich history, Karuizawa is full of hidden gems. The town offers visitors an authentic experience with unique culture and customs that are just waiting to be discovered. Get away from all your worries as you leisurely explore this quaint town. Whether you’re looking for lush greenery, rich culture or picturesque landscapes, you’ll find it here. We have selected a few attractions that will satisfy your curiosity about Karuizawa’s sophisticated culture and longing. Experience Karuizawa’s peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty away from the bustle of the city. A truly memorable trip awaits those who visit.
A unique museum combining art and architecture. 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.
Photo: Taichi Ano © Senju Hiroshi Karuizawa Museum of Art.
Wakita Art Museum, located in a quiet corner of Karuizawa, exhibits the entire works of Kazu Wakita, a famous Japanese Western style artist. One thousand oil paintings, drawings, and other pieces by the celebrated painter are in the collection of the museum.
Photo courtesy of Wakita Art 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.
Photo courtesy of Murou Saisei Memorial Hall
Connect with Nature
You can find the Shiraito Falls in the southwestern foothills of Mount Fuji. The 150 meter wide waterfall is one of Japan’s most beautiful waterfalls. It is fed by the volanco’s springs and flows off the edge of a 20 meter high cliff in thin streams that resemble white silk. There is an easy trail leading to the base of the waterfall just a few minutes from the road.
Located on the border between Nagano and Gunma prefectures, the pond commands panoramic views of the three mountains of Jyoshu, the Nikko mountain range, the majestic Mount Asama and Mount Yatsugatake, as well as colorful autumn leaves that spread between the mountains.
Mt. Hanareyama is an extinct lava dome and side volcano of Asama Volcano, which some refer to as ‘Table Mountain’ due to its conical shape and flat top. Getting to the top of the mountain takes about an hour, and the path is well-maintained.
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!
