1
Atelier de Fromage Karuizawa Pizzeria

Atelier de Fromage began making cheese in 1982 in Tomi-shi, Nagano Prefecture, with the idea of making Camembert. More than 30 years later, the company still makes about 20 kinds of cheese at its workshop, using raw milk from cows and goats raised on its own farm.

Karuizawa Pizzeria is very popular for its crispy oven-baked pizzas that use plenty of cheese. The set meal, which includes a salad, pizza, baked curry, or pasta, is very reasonably priced. All dishes are lavishly prepared with homemade cheese, allowing you to enjoy cheese to the fullest.

The charm of cheese in a variety of styles

One of the specialties at Karuizawa Pizzeria is cheese fondue. This Swiss dish, which is made by mixing hot cheese with bread, sausage, potatoes, and other ingredients, goes well with the Karuizawa air. The menu offers a wide variety of fondue dishes, such as "Karuizawa Cheese Ripening Factory Fondue" and "Super Gold Award-winning Blue Cheese Fondue. The menu also offers cheese lovers a variety of other delicious cheese dishes, such as grilled cheese curry, which can be enjoyed in a variety of styles.

Atelier de Fromage Karuizawa Pizzeria

• 22-1 Karuizawa-higashi, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano MAP
• 6 minutes walk from Karuizawa Station
• 11:30-15:00 (L.O.) 17:00-20:00 (L.O.)
  *Varies depending on the season.
• Wednesdays and Thursdays (subject to change)
• 0267-42-0601
• None

2
Fresgasse

Among the many handmade ham and sausage stores in Karuizawa, this family-run business has maintained a local favorite for more than 30 years. The popular ham steak is extravagant in size and thickness. It is finished with butter and white wine for a juicy flavor that goes well with rice. It is usually served with rice mixed with glutinous rice and miso soup.
Accompaniments are vegetables cut into large pieces. The vegetables are served in a style with homemade miso paste so that tourists can enjoy the sweetness and freshness of the delicious local vegetables.

Set menus with a homey warmth

The restaurant is located in a house within walking distance from Karuizawa Station. There is a smokehouse in the back of the house, where all the hams and sausages are made. All of the hams and sausages have a very gentle smoky aroma, and you can taste the deliciousness of the meat itself.
In addition to smoked foods, the restaurant also offers set menus of meat dishes such as ginger yaki and piccata, which can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Fresgasse

• 29-15 Karuizawa-higashi, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano MAP
• 3 min. walk from Karuizawa Station North Exit
• Monday, Tuesday: 11:00 - L.O. 13:30, 17:00 - L.O. 20:00
  Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:00~L.O.14:00, 17:00~L.O.20:00
• Wednesday & Thursday
• 0267-42-8169
• None

3
Karuizawa Kawakamian

A soba restaurant with a quality atmosphere located on the Old Karuizawa Ginza roundabout.
Karuizawa has long been home to many delicious soba restaurants. One of the reasons why soba tastes so good is because of the abundance of clean water, as well as the fact that the buckwheat seeds are grown in Shinshu. In addition to the soba nuts and water being the deciding factors in the flavor, the water used at key stages of making soba, boiling it, washing it, and rinsing it in cold water is also very important.

The buckwheat seeds are purchased at the right time of the year, and are ground every morning at a workshop in Karuizawa. Freshly ground, freshly pounded, and freshly boiled soba has a rich aroma and a sweet flavor. The slightly thicker buckwheat noodles are elastic and have a sharp edge, making them very thirst-quenching.
The sauce is made from kombu (kelp) and bonito flakes, and the mirin and soy sauce have also been carefully selected just for this soba.

Enjoy soba on the breezy terrace

The terrace surrounded by greenery is spacious and airy, and the store's high-ceilinged interior is decorated with paintings and tableware, making it a place to be enjoyed from an artistic standpoint as well. Although the hustle and bustle of Old Karuizawa is just around the corner, it is a quiet place for relaxation, as if isolated from the rest of the city.

Karuizawa Kawakamian Main Branch

• 6-10 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano MAP
• A short walk from bus stop "Kyu-Karuizawa
• 11:00-22:00 (L.O.21:00) *Seasonal change
• None
• 0267-42-0009
• Parking is available in a nearby parking lot after 17:00.

4
Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Old Karuizawa

The calzone pizza, available only at the Old Karuizawa branch, is exquisite!

A very popular Bakery & Restaurant with three locations in the Karuizawa area, including a loa-story. We recommend the lunch-only Calzone Pizza. The pizza is made by wrapping the ingredients in pizza dough and baking it, and only the Old Karuizawa branch offers this style of pizza. The "Sawamura's Special Bolognese Sauce" is a perfect combination of tomato sauce infused with the flavor of Wagyu beef and mozzarella cheese. If the weather permits, you can enjoy it with a glass of wine on the terrace.

Homemade bread baked with four kinds of homemade yeast is also available for purchase

In addition to the calzone pizza, the SAWAMURA special hamburger is also popular. The burger is a juicy patty made from 100% ground beef sandwiched between a homemade bun. It is a perfect accompaniment to a cold beer.

Bread for takeout is also sold inside the restaurant. The homemade bread, baked with four kinds of homemade yeast and using more than 30 kinds of wheat carefully selected from all over Japan and abroad, is popular as a Karuizawa souvenir.

Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Old Karuizawa

• 12-18 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano MAP
• 20 minutes walk from JR Karuizawa Station.
• From JR Karuizawa Station, take the Seibu Kanko Bus bound for Kusatsu Hot Spring. 2 minutes on foot from the "Kyu Karuizawa" stop.
• Restaurant 7:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:00)
  Bakery 7:00 - 21:00
  December to February: 8:00 - 8:00 in both cases.
• No holidays
• 0267-41-3777
• Free of charge

5
Modesto

A cosy house ristorante nestled in the forest. The chef, who trained at renowned Restaurants in Italy and Tokyo, was born in Ueda City. The chef, who has been familiar with Shinshu vegetables since he was a child, uses vegetables selected every morning at direct sales stands and markets, as well as fresh vegetables delivered directly from farmers, for the day's lunch.

Freshly picked vegetables not only have a strong flavor and aroma, but also allow you to enjoy the individuality of each vegetable and their vivid colors. The bagna cauda, a simple, almost raw dish, is one that many people order every time they visit. There are many vegetables unique to Shinshu; for example, in spring, there are wild vegetables. Asparagus comes in purple as well as green, and carrots are available in small sizes with concentrated sweetness.

Freshly harvested vegetables are not only used in salads, but are also pureed and used as sauces for main dishes and other dishes. You can enjoy Shinshu vegetables in a variety of dishes.

Enjoy a luxurious lunch in the forest!

Despite its Direction, the restaurant is located in a quiet villa area surrounded by forest and within walking distance from the Hoshino area. You will be surrounded by an elegant interior that is popular for wedding parties.
Reservations for lunch are required and accepted from 2 persons.

Modesto

• 3430-5 Hirano, Nagakura, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano MAP
• 3 minutes drive from Nakakaruizawa Station of Shinano Railway.
• 12:00-13:15 (L.O.), 17:30-20:15 (L.O.)
• Wednesdays *Closed on other days *Closed during winter
• 050-1721-4330 (Reservations only)
• Free of charge

6
Sonmin-Shokudo

Located next to Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-yu in the Hoshino area, this casual dining restaurant offers set menus and a la carte dishes in a casual atmosphere. The restaurant is named after novelist Tatsuo Hori, who referred to Karuizawa as a "beautiful village" in his works.
Sonmin-Shokudo offers a menu of dishes adapted from local cuisine of Shinshu. Seasonal menus, such as wild vegetables in spring and mushrooms in autumn, are also popular.

Local cuisine is also a specialty.

Meanwhile, "Sanzokuyaki," a local dish of the Chushin region that boasts strong popularity, is an original dish that can be enjoyed only at Sonmin-Shokudo, marinated in "Shinshu apple miso" before frying. The local flavors of miso and apples are combined to create a deep, rich flavor. A wide selection of local sake and craft beer is also available.

Sonmin-Shokudo

• Karuizawa Hoshino Area, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano MAP
• 15 minutes drive from Karuizawa Station
• 11:30-21:30 (L.O.20:30) *Varies according to season.
• No holidays
• 0267-44-3571
• 250 cars available for a fee

7
Sajilo Cafe Linden

This café is run by an owner who fell in love with Nepalese spice cuisine. Spice dishes and curries are served in a restaurant that has created a unique world view with its cozy interior and tableware.
You can choose from four types of curry for lunch. The most popular is butter chicken. The roux is made by frying onions and tomatoes, and 18 kinds of spices are used. It is rich, thick, and not too spicy, and can be enjoyed by everyone from children to the elderly.
The small bowls of food that come with the curry are popular for their simple combination of local vegetables and spices.

A full lineup of spicy desserts

Sajiro Café Linden also offers an extensive dessert menu. The cheesecakes feature fenugreek seeds (a spice from the legume family) with an aroma and bitterness similar to maple syrup.

The café also has a lifestyle store, offering spices that you would want to display in your kitchen, plates and cutlery that are actually used in the store, and linens that are handmade in Nepal.

Sajilo Cafe Linden

• Hoshino Resorts, Harunire Terrace, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano MAP
• 15 minutes drive from Karuizawa Station
• 11:00-21:00 (L.O. 20:00)
• No holidays
• 0267-46-8191
• Free (located in Hoshino area) *Specified days charged

8
Chinese Home Cuisine Kisurin

This authentic Szechuan cuisine restaurant has been a favorite since the opening of Harunire Terrace. The counter allows diners to watch the cooking process, giving the restaurant a live atmosphere.
The specialty is " Kisurin tantanmen. It is characterized by its firm, thin noodles and thick sesame broth. The noodles are topped with bean sprouts, chives, and other vegetables, allowing you to eat plenty of vegetables.

Authentic spicy Szechuan cuisine

Another popular item on the menu is "Mapo Tofu" (bean curd tofu). We value the authentic taste of this dish so much that our employees take turns going to Szechuan once a year for training. The hot bean curd is made with homemade raayu (Chinese red chili oil) and Aoyama pepper to give it a spicy yet refreshing taste. The aroma is gorgeous and addictive. The tofu also makes its presence felt, with a soybean flavor and elasticity that is as strong as the spiciness of the tofu.

9
Jinenya Karuizawa Bypass

This long-established organic and macrobiotic Restaurant has been run by a couple since the days when the word "organic" was not yet widespread. The menu is marked to identify ingredients for various allergies and preferences, allowing customers to choose.

The Vegan Katsu Curry is popular for lunch among both children and adults. The vegetarian cutlet made with gluten meat is the star of the dish, and the vegetables that accompany it are also very satisfying. The curry roux is also riddled with beans, and here you can enjoy their hokum sweetness. This single serving of curry provides 350 grams of vegetables, making it a highly satisfying curry.

Store for organic food and goods

The vegetables come from organic farmers all over Japan. The good ones are gathered because of our long relationship, and they all have a powerful flavor. The brown rice cooked in a pressure cooker to make it sticky is also delicious and popular even among those who do not like brown rice. The restaurant also offers a variety of special menus, such as a luxurious set meal or bento box with a colorful array of handmade small bowls, and boxed vegetable sushi.

In the back of the restaurant is an organic store. Not only are the vegetables used in the Restaurant available, but also organic seasonings, cosmetics, and household goods, so you can shop while you wait for your food. It is also possible to enter the store just for shopping.

Jinenya Karuizawa Bypass

• 2733-1 Nagakura, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano MAP
• 3 minutes drive from Nakakaruizawa Station
• 10:00-20:00 (L.O.19:00)
• Thursdays
• 0267-46-2476
• Free of charge

10
Karuizawa Japanese Cuisine Oshima

The owner, who trained at high-class ryokans in Tokyo and Hakone, is one of the few authentic Japanese restaurants in Karuizawa. At night, omakase only courses range from 8,850 yen to 13,500 yen, but for lunch, the essence of the menu can be found in the Shihouzen set menu.

For example, the rice changes with the seasons, with "chirashizushi" in spring. Fresh sashimi, mainly from the Sea of Japan, and takikomiai, a dish containing plenty of high-quality broth, are served in a beautiful bowl selected by the owner.

Surrounded by beautiful, authentic furnishings

The cuisine is traditional Japanese, but the building is modern. The exterior view from the bypass looks like a villa. The restaurant has a private room for 8 persons, surrounded by high-quality tableware and furnishings, and is a recommended place to make a reservation if you are visiting Karuizawa for a special occasion such as a betrothal or a birthday.

Karuizawa Japanese Cuisine Oshima

• 646-1 Nagakura, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano MAP
• 10 minutes by car from Karuizawa Station South Exit
• 12:00-13:30 (last entry), 18:00-20:00 (last entry)
• Tuesdays (irregular holidays)
• 080-4345-2009
• Free of charge
• Reservations required / No lunch menu during peak season

11
Sakura

Enjoy homemade aromatic buckwheat noodles at a reasonable price

This soba noodle store is located in a house along the old Nakasendo Road in the Oiwake area. It is reasonably priced and well received by local customers. We recommend the "Soba Sanmi," which is served on a colander. You can taste aromatic homemade buckwheat noodles with three types of sauce: homemade walnut sauce, grated yam, and regular zaru-tsuyu. First, taste the standard zaru-tsuyu, then go for the walnut sauce. We recommend mixing the yam with the zaru-tsuyu. Mini-tendon (bowl of rice topped with tempura) is a popular side dish. It consists of two pieces of shrimp tempura and kakiage-style tempura on top of rice, and is much larger than it looks.

A la carte dishes using local ingredients and local sake from Shinshu

The brightly lit restaurant has a somewhat homey atmosphere. You will feel as if you have come to visit the countryside in Shinshu. The menu, which includes vegetable tempura and seasonal wild vegetable boiled vegetables, uses local ingredients as much as possible. For example, the yam in "Soba Sanmi" is made with yam from the nearby town of Matsudai during the season starting in November.

Soba and sake from Shinshu, such as "Mizuo" and "Sakunohana," are also available, so it is a good idea to start your lunch with soba and sake. A la carte dishes such as assorted tempura and buckwheat croquettes are also available.

Sakura

• 655-3 Oiwake, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano MAP
• 20 minutes by car from JR Karuizawa Station
  25 minutes on foot from Shinano Railway Shinano Oiwake Station
• 10 minutes ride on Karuizawa town circulation bus (west course) bound for Mitsuishi Community Center from Shinano Oiwake Station on the Shinano Railway, and a short walk from Oiwake Promotion Bridge.
• 11:30 - 15:30
• Closed on Tuesdays and other times during the year.
• 0267-46-5577
• Free of charge

12
Iihashi Residence

Authentic Italian cuisine with an a la carte menu available both day and night

A restaurant in the Oiwake area where you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine in a casual atmosphere, this restaurant opened in January 2024 and quickly gained attention. The menu is the same for both day and night, and is mostly ordered a la carte. The recommended way to enjoy the menu is to order 4 to 6 dishes in total, from appetizers to primo piatto (first course) pasta dishes and secondo piatto (second course) meat or fish main dishes, and share them with 2 or 3 people. Italian wine pairings are also available. If this is your first visit, you may want to order the 11,000 yen course.

Luxurious lunch in a mansion designed by Junzo Sakakura, the great architect of modern architecture

The majestic atmosphere of the building was designed by architect Junzo Sakakura, who moved his residence from Todoroki, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo to Karuizawa. Domaine de Mikuni" by Seizo Mikuni left Karuizawa and took over the site. It is located in a part of a villa complex of seven buildings in total, and has a large courtyard. Enjoy the four seasons in Karuizawa while dining on dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients. The budget is about 10,000-15,000 yen per person for two to three dishes a la carte and a bottle of wine. It is recommended when you want to have a slightly extravagant lunch.

Iihashi Residence

• 46-13 Oiwake, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano MAP
• Approximately 20 minutes by car from JR Karuizawa Station
• Lunch 11:30-13:00L.O., Dinner 18:00-22:00L.O.
• Closed on Tuesdays and irregular holidays
• 080-3752-1184
• Free of charge
• Please make a reservation by phone if you wish to bring your child with you.

13
River Fish Cuisine Yusuge

Local river fish dishes featuring ayu, iwana (char), Shinshu salmon, and more

Located between Nakakaruizawa and Shinano Oiwake, this restaurant offers lunch using Shinshu ingredients. You can taste river fish dishes such as ayu (sweetfish), iwana (char), shinano yukimasu (trout), and Shinshu salmon, all of which are associated with Nagano Prefecture. A popular lunchtime dish is the "daily set meal," and on the day we visited, the menu featured Shinshu salmon and avocado on top of a bowl of rice. The Shinshu salmon, which has a distinctively clean flavor with little fat, is a perfect match for the avocado. The dish is also served with homemade buckwheat noodles, making it a hearty meal. Other dishes include set menus using wild ayu and iwana (char).

Seasonal delicacies of the four seasons served in a relaxed atmosphere

The restaurant also has tatami room seating, creating a relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy a meal. People visiting on vacation often order local sake from Shinshu at lunchtime. The a la carte menu is abundant with local delicacies such as "grilled natural ayu (seasonal)," "sashimi of char," "sashimi of Saku carp," and "fried chaya. The river fish are cooked to order and lifted from the fish tank. Other popular dishes include "Unaju" (eel stew), and you can also order Shiroyaki (broiled white fish). Every year after October, the restaurant offers a limited quantity of "sashimi of eel" as well.

Yusuge

• 4404-3 Nagakura Furujuku, Karuizawa-cho, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano MAP
• Approximately 20 minutes on foot from Nakakaruizawa Station on the Shinano Railway
  15 minutes drive from JR Karuizawa Station
• Open 11:30-14:00, 17:00-20:00
• Closed on weekends and holidays
• 0267-45-5378
• Free of charge