How to Get to Karuizawa
Located approximately 170KM to the north-west of Tokyo, Karuizawa is a small mountain resort town popular with Tokyoites and international visitors alike. Known for its cool mountain climate, visiting Karuizawa offers welcome relief from the heat and humidity of summer while in autumn, the area boasts some of Japan’s most spectacular coloured-leaves. On this page you will find the following information:
— 30 Things to Do Around Karuizawa & Where to Stay
— Tours & Charters Around Karuizawa
As a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, running from Tokyo to Kanazawa, Karuizawa Station is readily accessible from the capital, nearby Nagano, Toyama and Kanazawa. Not just one of Japan’s best known resort towns, it is also one of the oldest.Boasting a long history as a alpine retreat, Japanese have been heading to Kauizawa for years to enjoy its cool climate and more recently, one of Japan’s largest outlet shopping centres, fine dining, galleries and museums. Sitting on the boundary of Joshinetsu Kogen Natioanl Park, Karuizawa is an ideal launching point to head deeper into the mountains and far away from the hustle and hum of city life.
Starting with the Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary and nearby Mount Asama and Onioshidahi Volcanic Park, renting a car while in Karuziawa and exploring the park is a great way to enjoy the open spaces and beauty of Japan’s fourth largest national park. Now let’s start with the obvious question:
WHERE IS KARUIZAWA?
Karuizawa is located around 70KM / 1.5 to 2-hours to the south-east of Nagano and 170KM / 2.5-hours drive to the north-west of Tokyo. As a stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, Karuizawa Station is most easily reached using the train from Nagano or Tokyo – taking around 30-minutes and 65 to 75-minutes respectively, from those staring points. Karuizawa sits around 1000 metres above sea level, blessing it with a cool alpine climate and welcome escape from the heat and humidity of summer. As such, Karuizawa is one of Japan’s most popular resort towns with many Tokyoites heading there for holidays or day-trips from the capital. The town boasts some excellent hotels and guesthouses, restaurants and cafes, shopping, museums and galleries and sits within easy reach of Joshinetsu Kogen National Park and one of Japan’s most famous hot spring towns, Kusatsu Onsen.
HOW TO GET TO KARUIZAWA
In this section you will find information on how to reach Karuizawa from the following starting points:
NAGANO – JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK – KUSATSU ONSEN – TOKYO – NARITA AIRPORT – HANEDA AIRPORT – KANAZAWA & TOYAMA – TATEYAMA-KUROBE ALPINE ROUTE – TAKAYAMA – SHIRAKAWA-GO & GOKAYAMA – KAMIKOCHI – MATSUMOTO – NAGOYA – KYOTO & OSAKA
We endeavour to keep this information as up-to-date as possible and in recognition that most international visitors will be using the train network to move around Japan, most directions are for using the trains. If there is alternative option i.e. express or local bus, that is notably faster or economical, we also include that information.
FROM NAGANO / approx. 30 minutes
Both Nagano Station and Karuizawa Station are stops on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, meaning that getting from one to the other is quick and easy – taking only 30 min. For daily trains schedules, see our ‘Hokuriku Shinkansen Timetable’ page.
FROM THE JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK / approx. 2 hours
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:35 – 17:35 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Hakuba (winter only) |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
To reach Karuizawa from the Jigokudani Monkey Park is easily done via Nagano Station. From the park, you have the option of: 1. a direct express bus from the park to Nagano Station or 2. a local bus to Yudanaka Station followed by an express train to Nagano Station. Starting from the park, the express bus takes 55 minutes to reach Nagano Station. In comparison, taking the local bus from the park to Yudanaka Station followed by the train, takes 15 minutes, before the limited express train to Nagano takes 45 minutes – a total journey of around 60 to 70 minutes. Once at Nagano Station, follow the directions above.
FROM KUSATSU ONSEN / approx. 80 minutes
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Karuizawa: Unwind in Kusatsu Onsen | |
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| Period | April – November |
| Time | 09:30 – 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Karuizawa Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥15,500 |
Karuizawa is the nearest major train station to Kusatsu Onsen. Regular bus services run from / to Karuizawa Station, taking 80 minutes. For details including the timetable, see our ‘Karuizawa Station’ page.
FROM TOKYO / between 65 to 75 minutes
1 Day Tour
| Tokyo Highlights Tour : Sumo, Sushi, Tea, Temples and Tokyo Tower | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 08:15 – 16:30 |
| Meeting Place | Inside of Hamacho Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥19,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥13,000 |
Chances are that most international visitors will come through Tokyo at some point during their time in Japan and s the southern terminus of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, getting from Tokyo Station to Karuizawa is easy. Depending on which service you choose, it takes 65 to 75 minutes.
FROM NARITA AIRPORT / approx. 2.5 hours
Karuizawa can be reached in a two-stage journey from Narita via Tokyo Station. Two rapid train services connect Narita Airport to central Tokyo via Tokyo Station and Ueno Station. Both stations are stops on the Hokuriku Shinkansen service bound for Karuizawa.
1 / the Narita Express (NEX)runs from Narita to Tokyo Station. It takes 55 minutes to reach Tokyo Station (depending on the service) with trains departing every 30 to 60 minutes. Once at Tokyo Station, follow the directions above onto Karuizawa.
2 / the Keisei Skyliner runs from Narita to Ueno Station. It takes between 40 to 55 minutes to reach Ueno Station with trains departing every 30 to 40 minutes. Once at Ueno Station, transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Karuizawa.
FROM HANEDA AIRPORT / approx. 1.5 hours
Karuizawa can be reached in a two-stage journey from Haneda via Tokyo Station. Two train services connect Haneda Airport to central Tokyo via Tokyo Station, at which you can board the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Karuizawa.
1 / the Tokyo Monorail connects the airport to Tokyo Station via Hamamatsucho Station in around 30 minutes. From the airport take the monorail to Hamamatsucho Station (20 min) and then switch to the JR Yamanote Line or JR Keihin-Tohoku/Negishi Line Rapid bound for Tokyo Station (5 min) – a total journey of around 30-minutes one-way. Once at Tokyo Station, follow the directions above.
2 / the Keikyu Railway connects the airport to Tokyo Station via Shinagawa Station. Take the Keikyu Airport bound to Shinagawa Station (approx.11 min) and transfer to the Yamanote Line bound for Osaki to reach Tokyo Station- 13 min or a total journey of around 30 min. Once at Tokyo Station, follow the directions above.
FROM KANAZAWA & TOYAMA / between 1.5 to 2 hours
1 Day Tour
| Kanazawa Walking Tour: Experience Gold Leaf, Japanese Sweets and Ninja Stars | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 08:30 – 17:00 |
| Meeting Place | Kanazawa Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥20,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥16,700 |
As northern stops on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, it’s easy to get to Karuizawa from both Kanazawa Station and Toyama Station. From Kanazawa takes 120 min and from Toyama takes 95 min.
FROM THE TATEYAMA-KUROBE ALPINE ROUTE / approx. 2 hours
1 Day Tour
| [Summer/Autumn only] Tateyama-Kurobe Tour: Walking on the ‘Roof of Japan’ | |
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| Period | July to October |
| Time | 07:50/08:15 – 18:00-19:00 |
| Meeting Place | Hotel Kokusai 21 Nagano Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥30,000 |
| Child Rate | ¥23,800 |
The Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route has two points of access: from the Nagano-side and from the Toyama-side. To reach Karuizawa, it will be easiest to come down the Nagano-side to Ogizawa Staion and then take a bus to Nagano Station – approximately 100 minutes. Once at Nagano Station, simply follow the directions above to reach Karuizawa. Alternatively, should you come down the Toyama-side to Tateyama Station, simply take the Toyama Chiho Railway to Shin-Kurobe Station. Once at Shin-Kurobe, walk through to Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station and board the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound Karuizawa.
FROM TAKAYAMA / approx. 4 hours
For visitors heading to Karuizawa from the historic town of Takayama. the journey takes time but is simple. Take the Limited Express ‘Hida’ on the Takayama Main Line from Takayama Station to Toyama. Taking approximately 90 minutes, there are only two or three convenient services each day and the line is popular with tourists, so if you have the chance to book ahead it can be helpful. Once at Toyama, follow the directions above to reach Karuizawa.
FROM SHIRAKAWA-GO & GOKAYAMA / approx. 3.5 hours
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Takayama: Explore Scenic Old Japan in Takayama and Shirakawa-go | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:00 – 18:30 |
| Meeting Place | Takayama Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥20,800 / 22,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥12,000 / 14,000 |
The World Heritage-listed villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama rank among the most popular destinations in Central Japan. Travelling from the villages to Karuizawa takes time but is relatively easy. The Nohi Bus company also operates several daily services from Shirakawa-go to Toyama Station. It takes approximately 60 minutes one-way. See the following page for information including timetables and fares to and from Toyama. Alternatively, take the bus on from Shirakawa-go to Takayama and from there, take the Limited Express ‘Hida’ service to Toyama – as described above. Once at Toyama, follow the directions above to reach Karuizawa.
FROM KAMIKOCHI / between 4 to 5 hours
1 Day Tour
| (Seasonal) 1-Day Tour from Takayama: Alpine Splendor – Shinhotaka Ropeway and Kamikochi | |
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| Period | April – November |
| Time | 09:00 – 18:00 |
| Meeting Place | Takayama Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥27,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥14,900 |
Karuizawa can be reached from Kamikochi via Takayama Station, with frequent services running to and from the Takayama Nohi Bus Center – located next to Takayama Station. From the Kamikochi Bus Terminal, take the bus to the Hirayu Onsen Bus Terminal – 25 to 30 minutes – and then switch to the bus headed to Takyama – another 60 minutes. See the following page for information including timetables and fares to and from Takayama. Once at Takayama Station, transfer to the Limited Express ‘Hida’ service bound for Toyama Station and onto Karuizawa – as described above. Alternatively, you can also take the bus from the Kamikochi Bus Terminal to Shin-shimashima Station, and then transfer to the Kamikochi train line abound for Matsumoto Station. Once in Matsumoto, follow the directions below.
FROM MATSUMOTO / between 1.5 to 2 hours
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle | |
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| Period | April to November |
| Time | 08:15 – 18:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Matsumoto Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥23,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,900 |
From Matsumoto Station, it’s a two-step journey to Karuizawa via Nagano Station. Take the Limited Express ‘Shinano’ – 50 min – to Nagano Station and switch to the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Tokyo via Karuizawa (as described above).
FROM NAGOYA / between 3 to 4 hours
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Guided Garden Walk through Nagoya’s Castle, Gardens, and Historic Estates | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 9:00 – 17:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
As the largest city in Central Japan, Nagoya is a convenient transport hub from where it’s easy to reach Karuizawa. There are different options for getting to Karuizawa from Nagoya with the simplest being a two-step journey via Tokyo Station. From Nagoya Station, take the Tokaido Shinkansen – 100 min – and then switch to the Hokuriku Shinkansen – 65 to 80 min – to Karuizawa (as described above). Alternatively, you can take the Limited Express ‘Shinano’ from Nagoya to Nagano – 180 min – and switch to the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Karuizawa – another 30 min.
FROM KYOTO & OSAKA / between 4 to 5.5 hours
1 Day Tour
| Kyoto Heritage Path – From Fushimi Inari’s Mystery to Kiyomizu Temple Majesty | |
| Period | All year round |
| Time | 09:00-17:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Kyoto Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥13,000 |
Likewise, from Kyoto and Osaka take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Tokyo Station and switch to the Hokuriku Shinkansen to reach Karuizawa. From Shin-Osaka Station it takes 145 to 175 min (depending on which service you choose) – and from Kyoto Station it takes 135 to 160 min (depending on the service). Once at Tokyo, follow the directions above to reach Karuizawa.
30 THINGS TO DO AROUND KARUIZAWA & WHERE TO STAY
Karuizawa is one of Japan’s most famous resort towns offering lots of reasons to visit. Within easy reach of Tokyo, both Japanese and international visitors flock to Karuizawa to enjoy its cool alpine climate, shopping, restaurants, museum, galleries and array of great accommodation. Sitting on the boundary of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, visitors headed to Karuizawa can also enjoy nearby destinations including Mount Asama, Mount Kusatsu-Shirane and multiple hot spring towns including Kusatsu Onsen. For lots of great tips and suggestions of what to do and where to stay, see our ’30 Things to Do Around Karuizawa & Where to Stay’ page.
TOURS AND CHARTERS AROUND KARUIZAWA
While Karuizawa is an amazing place to spend a vacation, you may wish to use some of your days there to travel a little farther afield! While Japan’s public transport is amazing, there are still times where it may fall short of fulfilling your needs. In those situations, we recommend taking a tour with us!
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Karuizawa: Unwind in Kusatsu Onsen | |
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| Period | April – November |
| Time | 09:30 – 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Karuizawa Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥15,500 |
Offering pick up from both Nagano Station and Karuizawa Station, this group tour will bring you to Kusatsu with a stop at the beautiful dry lava fields of the Onioshidashien along the way. After some time to enjoy what Kusatsu has to offer, our tour vehicle will take you up into the mountains behind Kusatsu on one of Japan’s most scenic highways. This is not a tour to miss!
Private Tour
| [START FROM KARUIZAWA] Private Snow Monkey Tour | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 08:30 onward |
| Meeting Place | Any location in Karuizawa |
| Price | ¥160,000 ~ / group |
If you are interested in seeing the world famous Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani, and want to travel at your own pace, why not take our private tour of the park from Kusatsu? With a visit to Nagano City and the historic Zenkoji Temple included, this is a great way to explore the area with ease.
If you don’t need a guide and would like to make your own route, why not hire one of our private charter vehicles for the day? With well trained and polite drivers, we will bring you where you want to go from the Karuizawa area, door-to-door. For more information on pricing and availability, please click HERE.
