Location: Karuizawa-machi
Top Restaurants in Karuizawa-machi
Top 10 restaurants in Karuizawa-machi, Japan
The waterfalls, hot springs, and mountain views in Karuizawa make this Japanese town a popular destination for nature lovers. Hike an easy route to the tumbling waters of Shiraito Falls, then head to Kumobaike pond to relax in what legend says is the footprint of a giant. When you tire of the great outdoors, the Kyukaruizawa Ginza shopping district is a wonderful place to spend some time—and some yen.
Things to do in Karuizawa-machi
1. Kawakamian
Overall Ratings
4 based on 284 reviews
Reviewed By aychuen - Singapore, Singapore
after a good 15-20mins walk from Karuizawa station, Kawakamian is at the entrance of Kyu Karuizawa (1 street before you reach the shopping street) Do come early to avoid the queue! We came here for lunch and order the cold soba 天せいろ - 上 (Ten Seiro - Deluxe with 2 shrimps) and hot soba 鴨煮込みそば (Kamo Nikomi soba). there is limited availability for the hot duck stew soba so please be early!
as we saw the menu there a more options for dinner, but lunch had been amazing enough for us.
2. Karuisawa French Bakery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By Shlomi T - Nagano, Japan
Nice products, most items good taste, but bad sitting area (not comfortable at all). Prices are normal, not cheap and not so expensive.
3. Sonminshokudo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 131 reviews
Reviewed By Lunasolhk - Hong Kong
We visited Sonminshokudo for two days, both for dinner. It's a casual Japanese restaurant serving set menu and a la carte plus seasonal special set.
It's was quite popular and we need to wait for 15 mins to get our seats for our first visit. The next day we head there earlier so we can avoid the queue. It's next to a public onsen that's why it's attracted quite a lot of customers.
Overall, the food is delicious and price is very reasonable. We tried four different set in our two visits. the chicken set is highly recommended!!!
They do offer vegetarian dish, both on the set menu and salad, offering fresh local vegetables and very delicious however as the other posts mentioned, it's not a lot of choices if you are a strict vegetarian.
4. Mikado Coffee Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 149 reviews
Reviewed By Lovecharji - Singapore, Singapore
I'm a coffee lover, and base on the standard of the coffee I ever had in Tokyo. The taste of the Mikado coffee didn't surprise me at all, and to me the taste of the hot coffee isn't up to my average standard.
While the overall feel of this cafe is good, and no Q. There's a coffee to go counter beside too.
5. Hermitage de Tamura
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By fuga250 - 逗子市, 神奈川県
約8年ぶりにお邪魔しました。
ムッシュ田村は引退した模様です。若い二人が引き継いだとのこと。
味は相変わらず上々です。
美味しく頂きました。
あ、ワインも間違いなく美味しいです。
6. Boulangerie Asanoya Kyudoten
Overall Ratings
4 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By The_Savvy_Glutton - Melbourne, Australia
If you prefer the soft fluffy Japanese style bread, look away. This place prides itself in its French style baguettes and all.
We bought the croissant, mozzarella cheese and tomato ball, cheese and cranberry stick and autumn edition chestnut and cheese horseshoe bread.
The croissant was fluffy but lacked the crunch. The mozzarella and tomato ball was good but guess best heated which we didn't. I personally loved the chestnut bread and cranberry stick was pretty good too. We also got the rye bread with dried fruits, walnut and orange peel that we had for brekky the next day. Loved it too.
I would beat the crowd and go back to this place again for sure if I'm around this area.
7. Cafe Terrace
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 78 reviews
Reviewed By Hiro O - Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
They denied to use my meal coupons, however this hotel announced that it shoule be used at this shop.
8. Atelier de Fromage
Overall Ratings
4 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By Shlomi T - Nagano, Japan
Some of the cheeses are good, some not so, but EVERYTHING is EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE !!!
The woman that works there has a cold attitude. No free tasting, but if she feels that you are most likely to buy, she will give you some to taste, otherwise, not !!
The goat cheese is very good, the rest, I did not find so good. The Camembert cheese, is certainly not that good, but the prices it is a big WOW... At almost a $150 per Kg. it is by far, the most expensive cheese shop, I have ever seen anywhere in the world !!
Have to admit, the black goat cheese is really good and it was on a 30% discount, so I bought a small one (well, they have only small ones), otherwise, regular prices, I would not buy.
A few years ago, bought the Camembert cheese to try it. It was no good and very expensive, so I am not falling to the same trap twice.
If you want to buy something, I recommend the goat cheeses. Good quality, for those.
9. Maruyama Coffee Karuizawa Honten
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By foodyholic - nyc
This place does not only serve coffee but sells coffee and pressed coffee makers by Bodum.
My capuccino was excellent. There is a separate space where one can sit and have a good cup of coffee. Price is reasonable just like in the US or slightly less because of the exchange.
10. Bleston Court Yukawatan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By muchtravelled001 - Nimes, France
Tucked away on the wooded grounds of this hotel is one of the best restaurants in Japan where Noriyuki Hamada works magic with local seasonal ingredients. Go for the longest kaiseki menu to see the full range of his talent but arrive with time to spare and a really healthy appetite to do it justice. Every dish is a minor work of art - so beautiful that it (almost) seems a shame to eat them - and buy the book as a permanent reminder of the extraordinary artistry. Karuizawa is an easy hour or so from Tokyo by shinkansen and this restaurant alone makes the trip worthwhile.
The only downside is the Bleston Court Hotel - a rather strange japanese wedding factory with designer cottages that don't quite work and no internet except in the soulless lobby building. Its functional and not unpleasant for one night but not great for longer stays.
