A Storybook Winter: Karuizawa & Hakuba

🗓 Day by day

1. A Cozy Welcome to Karuizawa

   Start the day slow. Settle into your hotel before spending the afternoon wandering Karuizawa's charming café district. Enjoy exceptional coffee, artisan breads, and peaceful bookstores tucked among the trees. Finish your stroll at Karuizawa Common Grounds, where you may stumble upon a weekend antique market. Whether browsing vintage finds or simply relaxing with a warm drink, today is all about slowing down and embracing the town's elegant mountain atmosphere.

2. Horses & Picturebooks

   Spend the morning surrounded by horses and fresh mountain air with a leisurely horseback riding experience at Makiba Karuizawa. Afterwards, enjoy lunch at the cozy Hitofusa no Budo before taking a slow stroll through the Karuizawa Picturebook Museum, a hidden gem nestled among the trees. As evening approaches, make your way to Harunire Terrace for boutique shopping, warm cafés, and a relaxed dinner beside the flowing river.

3. Winter Woods & Frozen Ponds

   Begin the day with a peaceful stroll through the Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary before gliding across the charming outdoor rink at Kera-Ike Pond, surrounded by snow-covered trees. Continue to The Cowboy House for a hearty lunch—be sure to save room for their famous homemade apple tart. In the afternoon, visit the tranquil Karuizawa Kogen Church before finishing the day with a leisurely browse through Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza, where luxury brands, local boutiques, and winter cafés offer the perfect end to a cozy day.

4. For The Teddy Bear Lovers

   Spend the day exploring some of Karuizawa's most charming specialty shops. Begin at Shima International Karuizawa Bears, where handcrafted teddy bears, British-inspired gifts, and unique keepsakes fill the cozy boutique. Afterwards, enjoy a sweet treat at LiLiBET, before browsing the colorful galleries and creative art supplies at Karuizawa Art Box. Finish the afternoon at the Hermann Teddy Collection House, home to an enchanting collection of traditional German teddy bears and their fascinating history.

5. Arrival in the Japanese Alps

   Say goodbye to Karuizawa and travel into the heart of the Japanese Alps. After checking into your hotel and dropping off your luggage, head straight to Happo-One Snow Resort for your first afternoon on the slopes. Pause for lunch or a warming hot chocolate at Café de 4260 before enjoying a few more runs as the sun begins to set over the mountains. After a day on the slopes, unwind at Happo-no-Yu, two of Hakuba's renowned natural hot springs.

6. Above the Clouds & Into the Valley

   Today is all about slowing down and taking in the beauty of Hakuba at your own pace. Ride the gondola to the summit of Hakuba Iwatake and admire sweeping views of the snow-covered Northern Japanese Alps before enjoying a leisurely lunch at Hakuba Mountain Harbor. In the afternoon, trade your skis for the saddle and experience the peaceful countryside on horseback at Little Farm Hassy, where the surrounding mountain landscape offers a completely different side of Hakuba. As evening falls, unwind in a soothing onsen before ending the day with a warm, comforting dinner.

7. Ski Some More!

   Today is all about making the most of Hakuba's incredible ski terrain. Spend the day exploring Hakuba 47 and the connected Hakuba Goryu Resort, where a variety of runs cater to every skill level, from wide-open cruisers to scenic forest trails. Take a break at 5_FIVEUNDER for a hearty lunch and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate before heading back out for an afternoon on the slopes. After a full day of skiing, unwind with a relaxing onsen at Mimizuku and a cozy dinner in Happo Village or at your hotel.