From Echigo Yuzawa, we took a side trip to Karuizawa and Shiozawa on days 2 and 3. I particularly loved Shiozawa. Despite the pouring rain that day, we enjoyed our stroll along the charming streets of Bokushi-dori Street, lined by buildings unique to snow country Niigata. It is indeed a hidden gem for those who admire traditional Edo architecture.
Locations featured in this video:
TsuruTonTan UDON NOODLE Brasserie Karuizawa (麺匠の心つくし つるとんたん 軽井沢)
💻 https://www.tsurutontan.co.jp/
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/SgGwTD9B9yvKGjAr8
Snoopy Cha-ya Karuizawa (SNOOPY茶屋 軽井沢)
💻 https://www.snoopychaya.jp/shop/軽井沢
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/gqrCYZj78YYTfbL78
Mille Mele Karuizawa – No.1 Apple Pie in the world (世界一のアップルパイmille meleミレメーレ軽井沢店)
💻 https://no1marco.com/
📍 https://maps.app.goo.gl/UZmxhHbsvs7udsQn7
Ekitan (Train schedule)
💻 https://ekitan.com/
Shiozawa Bokushi Street
📍https://maps.app.goo.gl/URuFcQothmU86eju9
Onigiriya (うおぬま倉友農園 おにぎり屋)
💻 https://shionigiri.com/
📍https://maps.app.goo.gl/oAm3zhuGZeoomTeH7
Hanaya (はなや)
💻 http://www.k-hanaya.com/
📍https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hq1x9gdCE22Ey2aQ7
Mizuya (温泉珈琲 水屋)
📍https://maps.app.goo.gl/HdWgwY3tJaWxPR1Z6
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(Computer generated voice over) In the last video, I shared our experiences from Echigo Yuzawa, where we indulged in sake tasting, shopping, and authentic Japanese cuisine. If you haven’t caught up on it yet, check out the link at the end of this video.
Now, let’s dive into my trip to Karuizawa and Shiozawa! We hopped on the train from Echigo Yuzawa to Karuizawa using the JR Tokyo Wide Pass it took about 47 minutes Karuizawa, nestled in Nagano Prefecture, sits at around 1000 meters above sea level offering a cool escape from summer heat
Accessible via the Hokuriku Shinkansen it’s just over an hour away from central Tokyo Karuizawa boasts diverse outdoor activities like tennis, hiking, cycling, and skiing, along with abundant shopping options The town also dazzles with its stunning autumn foliage from mid-October to early November each year
Our destination was Kyu-Karuizawa, the old town center with a charming pedestrian shopping strip The rain poured relentlessly, drenching us as we walked from the station to the old town centre for about 20 minutes. Our shoes were already soaked and I couldn’t shake off the feeling of disappointment
It seemed like the rain was determined to spoil our enjoyment of the day After browsing through a few shops along the shopping street we decided to take a break at TsuruTonTan to warm up and recharge TsuruTonTan has multiple locations across Japan, even a few in the US
The restaurant has a comfortable ambiance and modern design. We snagged a sofa seat, so cozy that I almost wanted to doze off after lunch instead of braving the rain again. We tried the mentaiko cream and curry udon they were a delightful treat that warmed us from the inside out
It’s time to face reality and head back outside The shopping street boasts an array of local specialty shops ranging from apple pie, jam, and cheese to cafes and clothing boutiques. One of the highlights of our visit was Snoopy Village a charming establishment featuring a store
Brimming with Snoopy’s merchandise on the ground floor and a cozy café nestled upstairs As we made our way back to the station, a sign caught our attention “The World’s number one apple pie” How could we resist giving it a try? Stepping inside, the aroma was irresistible.
The pie crust of mille mele uses French fermented butter. It is characterized by a sweet and mellow aroma when baked and a unique aftertaste of butter. We sampled both the original and chocolate flavors. While I’m not usually a fan of apple pie,
I must admit, the original flavor won me over. The crust was delicately crisp, the filling rich with custard cream and generous apple chunks. The sweetness was just right, and all the ingredients harmonized perfectly together. After a restful night, we were eager for our next adventure From Echigo Yuzawa,
We hopped on the local train to Shiozawa. The journey took about 17 minutes The train only runs every half an hour to an hour Make sure to check the timetable in advance and plan accordingly A mere 5-minute walk led us to the hidden treasures of Bokushi-dori Street During the Edo Period,
Shiozawa was a pivotal post town along the highway connecting Edo and Echigo, renowned for its textile production. The buildings lining both sides of the street reflect Edo-period construction and architecture adhering to the standards and designs of that era Electric wires are underground and sidewalks utilize traditional construction methods like cobblestone paving
Another notable feature is the “gangi” undercover passageways constructed from buildings with roofs or eaves extending over the street providing shelter from the weather Even during winter, exploring the street is possible without getting snowed in showcasing ingenious solutions for life in a region with heavy snowfall Thanks to the gangi,
We could explore and admire the architecture without getting wet. For a taste of local gourmet we visited Onigiriya, specializing in onigiri. The rice was cooked to perfection, complemented by various fillings like kelp, salmon, mentaiko, and miso pickles, offering a delightful mouthfeel with every bite.
Now, our appetites were ready for lunch at Hanaya Upon arrival, the staff provided us with slippers to change into at the genkan, the entrance area. We were pleasantly surprised to be led to a cute little private room feeling like giants in the intimate space Following the recommendations on the wall
We indulged in the sirloin steak meal and honki don leaving us utterly satisfied and eager for future visits Afterward, we took a coffee break at Mizuya before checking into our next ryokan Their specialty is brewing coffee using hot spring water
The use of wood throughout the structure and furniture gives off a relaxed and traditional vibe making it the perfect spot to unwind during our journey Exploring the countryside of Japan is a joy and Shiozawa shines as a hidden gem I fell in love with this little town and look forward to returning
Hopefully on a sunny day In the next video, I’ll showcase the two ryokans I stayed in Echigo Yuzawa If you enjoyed our side trip to Karuizawa and Shiozawa, please hit the like button, share it with fellow Japan enthusiasts, and subscribe for more adventures in Japan. See you in the next video.
1 Comment
The small town in Japan is amazing! If you want an authentic experience, visiting the smaller town won't disappoint you. I would love to return to Karuizawa during autumn and visit the Kumoba Pond and Nakakaruizawa area. For Shiozawa, I would like to go back for a bike tour and visit the breweries in the area. Would you like to visit Karuizawa or Shiozawa? Let me know in the comments below.