Karuizawa Machi skyline

Karuizawa Machi (軽井沢町) – Things to Do, Hotels & Travel Info

かるいざわまち

Prefecture - Nagano Ken / 長野県

Karuizawa Machi Overview

Karuizawa is a resort town located in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 October 2016, the town had an estimated population of 20,323 in 9897 households, and a population density of 130 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 156.03 km2 (60.24 sq mi).

KANJI:

Karuizawa Machi Key Statistics

population iconPopulation

19648

area iconArea

156 km²

parks museums cafés iconParks / Museums / Cafés

7 / 19 / 35

Practical Essentials for Karuizawa Machi

Meet-ups & Expat Community

Chat with locals tonight or join a language-exchange near the station.

Find Events ↗

EV Charging Map

all available CHAdeMO and CCS fast-charging points Karuizawa Machi.

View Chargers ↗

Bike-Share & Cycling

Rent a bike by the hour and cruise the riverside paths.

Bike Rentals ↗

Transit & Timetables

Travellers can check live routes & timetables.

Emergency Phones

Police: 110  ·  Fire/Ambulance: 119

Nation-wide numbers, English assistance usually available.

Safety Tips ↗

About the City (Wikipedia)

Karuizawa Machi history, administration, demographics and more.

Visit ↗

Getting Around Karuizawa Machi

station

Karuizawa Machi Main Station & Rail Lines

中軽井沢 (Naka-Karuizawa)

train

Train Travel to Karuizawa Machi

Karuizawa Machi is connected via Japan Rail and local private lines.

car

Driving to Karuizawa Machi

Accessible via Tomei Expressway and other national highways.

Real-Time Air Quality in Karuizawa Machi

17

Good

Fresh skies above Karuizawa Machi, – great day for outdoor plans.

Source: World Air Quality Index

Cover Your Trip to Karuizawa Machi

Flight delays, medical bills, lost gear – SafetyWing backs you up from US $45 / 4 weeks.

Get Instant Quote ↗

What to Eat in Karuizawa Machi

  • Slurp a steaming bowl of ramen at a tiny shop in Karuizawa Machi downtown.
  • Walk the morning market and try ultra-fresh sushi in Karuizawa Machi.
  • Grab late-night yakitori skewers near Karuizawa Machi Station.
  • Pick up handmade mochi from a family confectioner in central Karuizawa Machi.
  • Sip a glass of small-batch sake brewed on the edge of Karuizawa Machi.

Hungry for more?

Street-food crawls, cooking classes & sake tastings — reserve now, pay later.

Book Food Tours ↗

Things to Do in Karuizawa Machi

  • Visit one of Karuizawa Machi’s 7 parks for jogging or cherry-blossom viewing.
  • Tour Karuizawa Machi City Museum and 19 smaller galleries nearby.
  • Grab coffee at any of the 35 indie cafés around Naka-Karuizawa Station.
  • Walk the main food-street after dark and try local dishes unique to Karuizawa Machi.

Book Tours Now

Walking tours, food crawls, day trips & more – reserve today, pay later.

View Tours ↗

Income & Living Costs in Karuizawa Machi

¥3,400,000*est

Median household income / year

78*est /100

Price level vs Tokyo

Moving money internationally?

Send or spend Japanese yen with mid-market FX rates via Wise.

See Wise fees ↗

Best Hotels in Karuizawa Machi

Hotel icon

アパホテル 軽井沢駅前 軽井沢荘

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Hotel icon

BEB5軽井沢

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Hotel icon

軽井沢プリンスホテル ウェスト

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Hotel icon

Hotel Grand Vert

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Hotel icon

星のや 軽井沢

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Hotel icon

つるや旅館

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Plan & Book Your Trip

Hotels

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Flights

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FAQ about Karuizawa Machi

When was Karuizawa Machi founded?

Karuizawa Machi was founded on April 1, 1889.

How old is Karuizawa Machi?

Karuizawa Machi is roughly 137 years old.

What is the population of Karuizawa Machi?

The latest estimate puts the population at about 19,648.

What is the land area of Karuizawa Machi?

Karuizawa Machi covers roughly 156 km².

What is the main railway station in Karuizawa Machi?

The primary hub is 中軽井沢 (Naka-Karuizawa).

How many parks, museums and cafés are in Karuizawa Machi?

The city has roughly 7 parks, 19 museums and 35 cafés within a 5 km radius of the center.

Is Karuizawa Machi expensive to live?

Karuizawa Machi is generally more affordable than Tokyo, with lower rents and food costs outside the tourist core.

Do I need travel insurance for visiting Karuizawa Machi?

Yes — hospitals in Japan can be costly for visitors. SafetyWing covers flight delays, medical emergencies and lost gear from about US$45 / 4 weeks. Get an instant quote ↗

How can I send money internationally while in Japan?

Wise lets you hold Japanese yen, move money at the mid-market rate and spend with a debit card for a small fixed fee — popular with both expats and long-term travellers.

Where can I book food tours or cooking classes in Karuizawa Machi?

From street-food crawls to sake tastings and hands-on cooking classes, Karuizawa Machi has flavour for every budget. Book food tours ↗

What tours are available in Karuizawa Machi?

Guided walking tours, cultural excursions and day-trips run year-round. Most allow free cancellation and pay-later options. Explore tours ↗

Where can I access official city services in Karuizawa Machi?

All resident services — permits, taxes, public records — are handled by the City Hall. Learn more ↗

Are there expat meet-ups or language exchanges in Karuizawa Machi?

Karuizawa Machi hosts a friendly international community with weekly events near the main stations and cafes. Find events ↗

Where can I charge my EV in Karuizawa Machi?

CHAdeMO and CCS-compatible chargers dot convenience-store car-parks and highway rest-areas. View stations ↗

Can I rent a bike in Karuizawa Machi?

Yes, hire a bike by the hour or day and cruise the riverside paths. Rent a bike ↗

How can I check public-transport routes in Karuizawa Machi?

Use the official route planner for live subway, bus and tram times. Open planner ↗

Where is Karuizawa Machi?

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

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