1
Atelier de Fromage Karuizawa Pizzeria

Atelier de Fromage began making cheese in 1982 in Tomi City, Nagano Prefecture, with the desire to "try making Camembert." More than 30 years later, they continue to produce about 20 types of cheese in their workshop using raw milk from cows and goats raised on their own farm.

At "Karuizawa Pizzeria," their crispy, kiln-baked pizzas topped with plenty of that cheese are very popular. The course-style set, where you can choose one item each from salad, pizza, and baked curry or pasta, is a great value. Every dish uses their homemade cheese lavishly, allowing you to fully enjoy the cheese.

Local
Supporter

The pizzas are large, but because the crust is thin and crispy, you can easily finish one. This is a restaurant where you can fully enjoy plenty of cheese.

The charm of cheese in various styles

One of the specialties at "Karuizawa Pizzeria" is cheese fondue. This Swiss dish, where you dip bread, sausages, potatoes, and more into hot, melted cheese, goes perfectly with the Karuizawa air. There is a rich variety, including "Karuizawa Cheese Aging Facility Fondue" and "Super Gold Award-winning Blue Cheese Fondue." In addition, there is a lineup of dishes that cheese lovers will find irresistible, such as "Baked Cheese Curry," where you can enjoy the deliciousness of cheese in various styles.

Atelier de Fromage Karuizawa Pizzeria

• 22-1 Karuizawa-higashi, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 6-minute walk from Karuizawa Station
• 11:30–15:00 (L.O.) 17:00–20:00 (L.O.)
  *Subject to seasonal changes
• Wednesdays and Thursdays (subject to change)
• 0267-42-0601
• None

2
Fresgasse

Even in Karuizawa, where there are many shops selling handmade ham and sausages, we have been protecting a taste loved by locals for over 30 years as a family-run business. Our popular ham steak is luxuriously large and thick. We finish it with butter and white wine to make it juicy, so it goes well with rice. It is standard to eat it as a set with rice mixed with barley and miso soup.
The side dish is large-cut vegetables. We serve them with homemade blended miso so that tourists can better enjoy the sweetness and freshness of the delicious local vegetables.

Enjoy a set meal with a homey warmth

The shop is a detached house within walking distance of Karuizawa Station. There is a smokehouse in the back, where all the ham, sausages, and other products are made. You can feel the very gentle smoky aroma and the deliciousness of the meat itself in all of them.
In addition to smoked items, we also have set meals of meat dishes such as ginger pork and piccata, making it a shop that can be enjoyed by a wide range of age groups.

Local
Supporter

You can enjoy reasonable and hearty set meals. Sausages, bacon, and other items are also available for takeout.

Fressgasse

• 29-15 Karuizawa-higashi, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture MAP
• 3-minute walk from Karuizawa Station North Exit
• Mon/Tue: 11:00–L.O. 13:30, 17:00–L.O. 20:00
  Fri/Sat/Sun: 10:00–L.O. 14:00, 17:00–L.O. 20:00
• Wednesdays and Thursdays
• 0267-42-8169
• None

3
Karuizawa Kawakami-an

A soba restaurant with a high-quality atmosphere located at the Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Rotary.
Karuizawa has long been known for its many delicious soba restaurants. While it is partly because soba grains are harvested in Shinshu, the ability to use plenty of clean water is also one of the reasons why the soba is so delicious. In addition to the soba grains and water being the deciding factors in taste, the water used at key points—kneading, boiling, and washing/chilling—is extremely important.

We source high-quality soba grains depending on the season and start by grinding them every morning at our workshop in Karuizawa town. Our 'three-fresh' soba—freshly ground, freshly kneaded, and freshly boiled—is rich in aroma and spreads with sweetness. The slightly thick-cut soba has elasticity, and is characterized by its sharp edges and smooth texture when swallowed.
The dipping sauce is made from dashi stock using kelp and bonito flakes, and the mirin and soy sauce have also been carefully selected just for this soba.

Enjoy soba on a breezy terrace

The terrace surrounded by greenery is spacious and airy, and the interior with high ceilings is decorated with paintings and pottery, making it a shop that can also be enjoyed from an artistic perspective. Although the hustle and bustle of Kyu-Karuizawa is nearby, it is a quiet place of relaxation that feels isolated.

Local
Supporter

They also have a wide selection of sake, which you can enjoy casually with a la carte dishes or soba noodles.

Karuizawa Kawakami-an Main Store

• 6-10 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano PrefectureMAP
• Right by the "Kyu-Karuizawa" bus stop
• 11:00–22:00 (L.O. 21:00) *Subject to seasonal changes
• None
• 0267-42-0009
• None *Nearby parking available after 17:00

4
Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Kyu-Karuizawa

The calzone pizza, exclusive to the Kyu-Karuizawa branch, is exquisite

A highly popular bakery and restaurant that operates three locations in the Karuizawa area, including a roastery. We recommend the lunch-exclusive "Calzone Pizza." It is a style where ingredients are wrapped in pizza dough and baked, and the Kyu-Karuizawa branch is the only Sawamura location where you can enjoy it. The "SAWAMURA Special Bolognese Sauce" is an exquisite dish where the umami of Japanese beef seeps into the tomato sauce, pairing perfectly with mozzarella cheese. If the weather is nice, it is also a great idea to enjoy it with wine on the terrace.

You can also purchase homemade bread baked using four types of homemade yeast

In addition to the Calzone Pizza, the "SAWAMURA Special Hamburger" is also popular. The hamburger, which features a juicy 100% coarse-ground beef patty sandwiched between chewy homemade buns, is very satisfying. It is also irresistible when paired with a cold beer.

Bread for takeout is also sold inside the store. Their carefully crafted homemade bread, baked using over 30 types of wheat selected from Japan and abroad and four types of homemade yeast, is also popular as a Karuizawa souvenir.

Local
Supporter

The highlight of the calzone pizza is that you can enjoy a variety of flavors, not just tomato sauce-based ones, but also options like whitebait and new onion, or four-cheese and Shinshu honey. It is a good idea to order several and share them with family or friends.

Bakery & Restaurant Sawamura Kyu-Karuizawa

• 12-18 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano PrefectureMAP
• Approx. 20-minute walk from JR Karuizawa Station
• Approx. 2-minute ride on the Seibu Kanko Bus bound for "Kusatsu Onsen" from JR Karuizawa Station, then a 2-minute walk from the "Kyu-Karuizawa" stop
• Restaurant 7:00–22:00 (L.O. 21:00)
  Bakery 7:00–21:00
  *Both open from 8:00 from December to February
• Open every day
• 0267-41-3777
• Free

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6
Sonmin-Shokudo

A casual dining restaurant located next to Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-yu in the Hoshino Area, where you can enjoy set meals and a la carte dishes in a relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant's name was inspired by novelist Tatsuo Hori, who referred to Karuizawa as a "beautiful village" in his work.
At "Sonmin-shokudo," we offer a menu that features creative takes on Shinshu local cuisine. Our seasonal menus, such as wild mountain vegetables in the spring and mushrooms in the autumn, are also very popular.

Arranged local cuisine is also a specialty

Meanwhile, our enduringly popular "Sanzoku-yaki," a local specialty from the central Shinshu region, is an original dish exclusive to Sonmin-shokudo, marinated in "Shinshu apple miso" before being deep-fried. We combine the local flavors of miso and apple to create a deep, rich taste. We also offer a wide selection of local sake and craft beers.

Local
Supporter

This is a casual dining restaurant that offers dishes featuring seasonal ingredients. You can use it as a place to enjoy the nature and flavors of Karuizawa in a relaxed atmosphere.

Sonmin-Shokudo

• Hoshino Area, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture MAP
• 15-minute drive from Karuizawa Station
• 11:30–21:30 (L.O. 20:30) *Subject to seasonal changes
• Open every day
• 0267-44-3571
• Paid parking, 250 spaces

7
Sajilo Cafe Linden

A cafe run by an owner who fell in love with Nepalese spice cuisine. The interior, with its cozy decor and tableware, creates a unique atmosphere where we serve spice dishes and curries.
You can choose from four types of curry for lunch. The most popular is butter chicken. The roux, made with thoroughly sautéed onions and tomatoes, uses 18 different spices. It is rich and thick with a mild spice level, making it a flavor that everyone from children to the elderly can enjoy.
The small side dish that comes with the curry is also popular for its simple combination of local vegetables and spices.

A wide selection of spice-infused desserts

At "Sajilo Cafe Linden," the dessert menu is also extensive. A distinctive feature of the cheesecake is the use of fenugreek seeds (a legume-based spice), which provide a maple syrup-like aroma and a subtle bitterness.

The cafe also features an attached lifestyle shop, offering spices you'll want to display in your own kitchen, the very same plates and cutlery used in the restaurant, and linens handmade in Nepal.

Local
Supporter

The aroma of the spices will whet your appetite! The herb salts and spices in test tubes also make great souvenirs.

Sajilo Cafe Linden

• Inside Hoshino Resorts Harunire Terrace, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture MAP
• 15-minute drive from Karuizawa Station
• 11:00–21:00 (L.O. 20:00)
• Open every day
• 0267-46-8191
• Free (located within the Hoshino area) *Paid on specific days

8
Chinese Home Cooking Kisurin

An authentic Sichuan restaurant that has been popular since the opening of "Harunire Terrace." You can watch the cooking process at the counter, which provides a lively atmosphere.
The signature dish is the "Kisurin Tantanmen." It features firm, thin noodles and a rich sesame soup. Topped with plenty of bean sprouts, chives, and more, it allows you to eat lots of vegetables.

The refreshing spiciness of authentic Sichuan cuisine

Another popular menu item is the mapo tofu. The restaurant values authentic flavors so much that staff members take turns traveling to Sichuan once a year for training. The mapo tofu is a prime example of this, made with homemade chili oil and finished with green Sichuan peppercorns, making it spicy yet refreshing. The aroma is fragrant and addictive. Furthermore, the tofu itself has a soy flavor and firm texture that stands up to the spice, giving it a strong presence.

Local
Supporter

With minimal use of chemical seasonings and oil, these dishes have a flavor you will never tire of, no matter how many times you eat them. It is a welcoming place even for women dining alone.

9
Jinenya Karuizawa Bypass Store

A long-established organic and macrobiotic restaurant that has been run by a husband and wife team since before the word "organic" became widespread. The menu features marks indicating ingredients to accommodate various allergies and preferences, making it easy to choose.

Popular for lunch among both children and adults is the "Vegan Katsu Curry." The vegetarian cutlet made with gluten meat is the star, and the accompanying vegetables are also very satisfying. The curry roux is packed with beans, allowing you to enjoy their fluffy sweetness. This meal is designed to provide 350g of vegetables, making it a highly satisfying curry.

Local
Supporter

The dishes, each prepared with great care and effort, have many repeat customers who come to enjoy the true flavors of the ingredients.

Organic ingredients and goods available at the shop

Vegetables are delivered from organic farmers across the country. Because of these long-standing relationships, they are able to gather high-quality produce, all of which has a robust flavor. The brown rice, cooked in a pressure cooker until chewy, is also delicious and popular even with those who usually dislike brown rice. They also offer special menu items such as luxurious set meals with colorful handmade side dishes, bento boxes, and vegetable box sushi.

There is an organic shop at the back of the store. It stocks not only the vegetables used in the restaurant but also organic seasonings, cosmetics, and daily necessities, so you can shop while waiting for your meal. You are also welcome to enter just for shopping.

Jinenya Karuizawa Bypass Store

• 2733-1 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture MAP
• 3 minutes by car from Naka-Karuizawa Station
• 10:00–20:00 (L.O. 19:00)
• Thursday
• 0267-46-2476
• Free

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Karuizawa Japanese Cuisine Oshima

This is one of the few authentic Japanese restaurants in Karuizawa, where the owner, who trained at luxury ryokans in Tokyo and Hakone, showcases his skills. Dinner is omakase-only, with courses ranging from 8,850 to 13,500 yen, but at lunch, you can enjoy the essence of these dishes in a shihou-zen set.

For example, the rice dish changes with the seasons, such as "chirashi-zushi" in the spring. Fresh sashimi, mainly sourced from the Sea of Japan, and simmered dishes rich in high-quality dashi are served in beautiful vessels selected by the owner.

Surrounded by authentic, beautiful decor

While the cuisine is traditional Japanese, the building is modern. Its exterior, viewed from the bypass, resembles a villa. At lunch, you can spend a leisurely, luxurious time basking in the sunlight while gazing at the borrowed scenery of the garden. There is also a private room for eight people, making this a highly recommended spot to book if you are visiting Karuizawa for a special occasion like an engagement ceremony or birthday, surrounded by fine tableware and decor.

Local
Supporter

This restaurant focuses on home-grown, pesticide-free vegetables and uses techniques learned from tea ceremony cuisine to offer healthy, body-friendly meals. Events such as rakugo performances and pottery exhibitions are also held here.

Karuizawa Japanese Cuisine Oshima

• 646-1 Oaza Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture 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 may apply)
• 080-4345-2009
• Free
• Reservation required / Lunch menu not available during peak season

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Sasakura

Enjoy fragrant, house-milled soba noodles at a reasonable price

A standalone soba noodle shop located along the old Nakasendo road in the Oiwake area. It is well-regarded by local customers for its reasonable prices. We recommend the "Soba Sanmi" served on a bamboo mat. You can enjoy their fragrant, house-milled soba with three types of dipping sauces: homemade walnut sauce, grated yam, and standard soba dipping sauce. First, enjoy it in the standard way with the dipping sauce, then move on to the walnut sauce. For the grated yam, we recommend mixing it with the dipping sauce. The "Mini Tendon" is a popular side dish. It comes topped with kakiage-style tempura and two shrimp tempura, offering more volume than it looks.

Enjoy local Shinshu sake with a la carte dishes made from local ingredients

The interior, filled with bright sunlight, has a somewhat homey atmosphere. You can feel as if you have come to visit the countryside of Shinshu. Menu items such as vegetable tempura and seasonal mountain vegetable ohitashi use local ingredients whenever possible. For example, the grated yam for the "Soba Sanmi" uses long yam from the nearby town of Matsushiro during the season starting in November.

With a selection of local Shinshu sake such as "Mizuo" and "Sakunohana," it is also a great idea to enjoy soba and sake starting from lunch. The menu also features a wide variety of à la carte dishes, including assorted tempura and buckwheat croquettes.

Local
Supporter

The shop is located where the Nakasendo Oiwake-juku post station once stood. Along the old Nakasendo road, you will find the Suwa Shrine and the Oiwake-juku Local History Museum, making it a pleasant area to stroll around on a nice day.

Sasakura

• 655-3 Oiwake, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 20 minutes by car from JR Karuizawa Station
  25 minutes on foot from Shinano Railway Shinano-Oiwake Station
• From Shinano Railway Shinano-Oiwake Station, take the Karuizawa Town Circular Bus (West Course) bound for "Mitsuishi Kominkan" for about 10 minutes, get off at "Oiwake Shoshinbashi," and walk for a short distance
• 11:30–15:30
• Tuesdays, and other temporary closures *Irregular in winter
• 0267-46-5577
• Free

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Iihashi Residence

Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine with an a la carte menu available for both lunch and dinner

A detached house restaurant in the Oiwake area where you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine in a casual atmosphere. Since opening in January 2024, it has quickly garnered attention. The menu is the same for both lunch and dinner, and ordering à la carte is the standard. The recommended way to enjoy it is to order a total of 4 to 6 dishes—including appetizers, primo piatto (first course) pasta, and secondo piatto (second course) meat or fish mains—to share among 2 to 3 people. Italian wine pairings are also available. If it is your first time visiting, ordering the 11,000 yen course is also a good option.

A luxurious lunch in a residence designed by modern architecture master Junzo Sakakura

The majestic building is a residence originally located in Todoroki, Setagaya Ward, designed by architect Junzo Sakakura and relocated to Karuizawa. It occupies the site formerly home to "Domaine de Mikuni," managed by Kiyomi Mikuni. Located within a complex of seven villas, it also features a large courtyard. You can enjoy dishes made with seasonal ingredients while feeling the four seasons of Karuizawa. The budget is around 10,000 to 15,000 yen per person when ordering 2 to 3 à la carte dishes and wine. It is recommended for when you want a slightly luxurious lunch.

Local
Supporter

The Iihashi Residence has a private room that can accommodate up to 5 people, so families with small children are recommended to book this. The manager welcomes everyone with a smile, saying, "Families are very welcome!"

Iihashi Residence

• 46-13 Oiwake, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 20 minutes by car from JR Karuizawa Station
• Lunch 11:30–13:00 L.O., Dinner 18:00–22:00 L.O.
• Tuesdays, irregular holidays
• 080-3752-1184
• Free
• Please call to reserve if you are bringing children

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Kawa-uo Ryori Yusuge

Serving local river fish dishes using sweetfish, char, Shinshu salmon, and more

Located between Naka-Karuizawa and Shinano-Oiwake, this restaurant serves lunch using Shinshu ingredients. You can taste river fish dishes associated with Nagano Prefecture, such as sweetfish, char, Shinano snow trout, and Shinshu salmon. A popular choice at lunchtime is the "Daily Set Meal," which on the day of our visit was a Shinshu salmon and avocado bowl. The Shinshu salmon, with its lean and clean flavor, pairs perfectly with the avocado. It also comes with homemade kake soba, making for a very satisfying meal. They also offer other set meals featuring wild sweetfish and char.

Enjoy seasonal delicacies in a relaxed atmosphere

The restaurant features tatami seating, creating a relaxed atmosphere for enjoying a meal. Visitors on vacation often order local Shinshu sake even during lunchtime. The menu offers a wide variety of à la carte dishes, including local delicacies such as "salt-grilled wild sweetfish (seasonal)," "char sashimi," "Saku carp sashimi," and "deep-fried dace." The river fish are taken from the live tank and prepared fresh upon order. Other popular items include "eel rice boxes," and you can also order grilled eel without sauce. Starting in October each year, they also offer "eel sashimi" in limited quantities.

Local
Supporter

You should definitely try the local river fish dishes. In addition to Shinshu salmon, which has no fishy odor, you can also enjoy white-fleshed Shinano snow trout as sashimi.

Yusuge

• 4404-3 Furuyado, Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 20-minute walk from Shinano Railway Nakakaruizawa Station
  Approx. 15-minute drive from JR Karuizawa Station
• 11:30–14:00, 17:00–20:00
• Irregular holidays
• 0267-45-5378
• Free