When I planned for the Karuizawa day-tour, I has read several articles introducing the attractions in Karuizawa, but there are some parts that I still won't understand.
1. For some attractions, I have to go by bus. Meanwhile, there are some attraction where can be visited by cycling, or even on foot. Which method is the best way to do so?
2. Is that one day enough for visiting Karuizawa?
I tried to read the information thoroughly and understand clearly. However, I admit that this article is far from good because there are several famous attractions in Karuizawa, such as Shiraito Falls (白糸の滝), Hoshino Onsen, and Karuizawa Hoshino Stone Church that had not been included in my itinerary.
Let me summarize Karuizawa famous attractions, they are mainly located in 4 area:
The first part is next to Karuizawa Station - where include Prince shopping Outlet, and hotel with ski resort. They can be reached on foot.
The second part is the Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Shopping Street which can be reached on foot or by bicycle. Kumoba Pond and St Paul’s Catholic Church are also within walking or cycling distance.
The third part is the Naka-Karuizawa area where there is the Hoshino Onsen and the Stone Church is also in this area. Cycling or walking is not possible either, and it takes 30 minutes by bus to get there.
The fourth part is the Shiraito Falls. It is located in the hill area behind the Kyu-Karuizawa, which is an attraction that should be reached by bus.
(But if you are a super hill-biking enthusiast, it is possible to ride a bicycle to all the above places...you may even find it very interesting.)
Moreover, for those who don’t have much desire for shopping, you can first take a shuttle bus from station to the Naka-Karuizawa area to visit the Stone Church and Hoshino Onsen. Then take a bus to the Shiraito Falls in the afternoon, then go to Kyu-Karuizawa by bus to have a lunch. After that, walk or take a bus back to the station. Then you can visit all the attractions within 1-day, a bit rush but possible.
Meanwhile, I planned to take the most simplest and flattest route - only including the first and second parts because my dear love shopping and we must spend at least 3-4 hours in outlet.
My planned itinerary in Karuizawa:
Karuizawa Station - Kumoba Pond - Kyu-Karuizawa (Lunch) - St Paul’s Catholic Church - Karuizawa New Art Museum - Karuizawa Station - Prince shopping Outlet
My plan is to rent a bicycle, but my dear said it is good to have a leisurely stroll to explore the town, so we decided to go to Kumoba by walk finally. (Honestly I am regretted to do so.)
The total distance covered on that day was 5 to 6 kilometers, mostly on flat roads. The longest distance was from Karuizawa Station to Kumoba Pond, which took about 26 minutes.
(It’s a 26-minute walk to Kumoba Pond. You can also take a bus to get there.)
Why did I regret walking? Although Karuizawa is a place that is relaxing and pleasant, there are actually no shops between scenic spots, only houses... Riding a bicycle along a straight road can explore in a more convenient way!
On the way - Residential Area mainly.
"My dear, seem it is not a way to an attraction...."
Looking at the endless road, the wife began to wonder.
Some roads are shared by bicycles, pedestrians and vehicles, but it is not busy and it is easy to walk on.
According to google map, we are almost there.
Yes, almost there
There is a roundabout in Karuizawa, with Kumoba Pond on one side and Kyu Karuizawa on the other.
Kumoba Pond is one of nature attractive spots in Karuizawa. It is a beautiful spot that reflection of the green forests in the gentle water of the lake. Kumoba Pond is called Swan Lake as visitors can look at many kinds of birds. What a beautiful and relaxing attraction!
There are different nice and impressive Pond view in 4 seasons but I found it was not a right time for us to visit. The pond was surrounded by many trees without leaves.
"We are preparing for summer. Please come back later." I imagine the Pond was telling us about this.
There is a waterfront way around the pond, which take 20 minutes, but there is a shortcut (10 minutes) by walking on a bridge across the lake. Since Kumoba Pond was not in the best condition, we only walked for 10 minutes and then set off towards Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Shopping Street.
Actually the pond view was still good but it could not be compared with the best that I saw in website.
Let us walk to Kyu-Karuizawa!
"Honey, walking for another 20 minutes?"
"Yes. Didn't I suggest you rent a bicycle?"
Our Tokyo 2025 journey - Still have 55 hours left.
Next Chapter: Tokyo Again 2025 (7) - Karuizawa Day Trip (Part 3 - Can't Miss......Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Shopping Street)
Tokyo Again 2025
Tokyo Again 2025(1) - 72 hours of traveling in Tokyo (3 -days Itinerary plan, plus 7-days in 2024)
Tokyo Again 2025 (2) - Tokyo Transportation - Simplified Package for Dummies
Tokyo Again 2025 (3) -APA Hotel Ueno Ekimae - with Movie
Tokyo Again 2025 (4) The First Ngith in Ueno（GYU STAR All you can eat BBQ / Donki in Ueno)
Tokyo Again 2025 (5) - Karuizawa Day Trip (Part 1 - How Did We Go?)
Tokyo Again 2025 (6) - Karuizawa Day Trip (Part 2 - Leisurely Stroll......Kumoba Pond)
Tokyo 2024
Tokyo 2024 - 7 days itinerary (Family of 4 - Attractions and Shopping Experience)
Disney Sea Tokyo 1 - Basic Information and Tips for your journey
Dinery Sea Tokyo 3 - Busy Second Half Having fun (Peter Pan / Toy Story Mania)
The Making of Harry Potter (Tokyo)
Hotel in Ikebukuro (Hotel Hisoca Ikebukuro)
USJ Osaka 2023
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) 1 - Basic Information and Some Tips for your journey
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) 2 - Preparation with Kids
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) Part 6 - Harry Porter and His Magic Wand
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) Part 7 - Our Forbidden Journey
Universal Studio Japan (Osaka) 8 - Universal Wonderland and Others
Those below are articles about Japan Visit, written in Chinese. Please feel free to leave your comments or questions. I am glad to reply and give advice according to my limited experience.
2024 Tokyo
七年無事又東京（二）新宿事變（六歌仙新店 + 歌舞伎町Tower)
七年無事又東京（四）進擊的上野 （上野Yamashiroya + 阿美橫丁）
七年無事又東京（五）迪士尼海洋Disneysea1 - 簡單易明基本概念及小提議
七年無事又東京（六）迪士尼海洋Disneysea2 忙於操作的上半場（驚魂古塔 / 地心探險記 / 樂佩公主天燈盛會）
七年無事又東京（七）迪士尼海洋Disneysea3 總動員的下半場
七年無事又東京（十）天旋地轉與膽量挑戰 (台場Joypolis1F）
七年同事有東京（十一）動感（台場Joypolis 2F - VR, House of the Dead, Transformer）
七年無事又東京（十二）獻出心臟"爸"！（台場Joypolis 3F - 進擊的巨人 + 全日通結算 + 輕鬆推介）
七年無事又東京（十三）雨中的陽光（池袋Sunshine City）
七年無事又東京（十四）池袋的超強CP值酒店（Hotel Hisoca 池袋 - 有片）
七年無事又東京（十五）與機場進餐（Marroad Hotel International)
七年無事又東京（十六）最後分組活動（酒酒井OUTLET / 成田機場T2)
七年無事又東京（十七）東京遊2024 總結 + 後記 （各景點評分）
2023 Osaka
2019 Kyushu Self-Driving Tour
九州日誌（二）互動（九州野生動物園 / Hello Kitty Harmony Land )
九州日誌(四) - 雨天（湯布院大街 / 福崗OUTLET)
九州日誌(七) - 天地（天神地下街 / MARK IS......)
2018 - Okinawa Self-Driving Tour
自駕衝衝沖繩之旅(二） Day1,2,3 沒有浪花的季節 (谷茶灣Rizzan海洋公園酒店)
自駕衝衝沖繩之旅(三） Day 2 「魚」出驚人 (沖繩美麗海水族館 + 大家 + 水果樂園 + 萬座毛)
自駕衝衝沖繩之旅(四） Day 3 在水中央 (海中展望塔 + 伊波公園 )
自駕衝衝沖繩之旅(五） Day 4 雨程 (琉球之牛，Aeon Mall Okinawa Rycom)
自駕衝衝沖繩之旅(六）- Day 5-1 與小象的約會 (沖繩動物王國)
自駕衝衝沖繩之旅(七）- Day 5-2 沖繩最強「浦」點 （浦添大公園 - 有片 + 美國村）
自駕衝衝沖繩之旅(八）- Day 6-1 人人彈起（中城公園)
自駕衝衝沖繩之旅(九）- Day 6-2 Round 1 Fight!!（Round 1 Stadium)
自駕衝衝沖繩之旅(十）- Day 7-1 最後的公園（國際通 + 第一牧志市場 + 奧武山公園）
自駕衝衝沖繩之旅(十一）- Day 7-2 「瀨」住唔走 （瀨長島溫泉酒店）
自駕衝衝沖繩之旅(十二）- Day 8 來去沖沖 (ASHIBINAA OUTLET + 給自駕者的話)
2017 - Yokohama and Tokyo
「橫東」直撞七天遊二 (Day 2-1) - 全包宴 (橫濱麵包超人館)
