Essentials
- City
- Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, Japan
- Population
- 19,000
- Internet Speed
- 95 Mbps avg via NTT Hikari fiber or Starlink in mountain areas
- Currency & Banking
- 1 JPY = 0.0067 USD; local banks include Hachijuni Bank and Japan Post Bank
- Tap Water
- Drinkable, high-quality mountain spring water
- Power
- 100V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Mobal (short-term), Ubigi (eSIM), or Sakura Mobile; approx. ¥4,500 for 10GB
- Banking for Expats
- Sony Bank or Wise (highly recommended for ATMs at 7-Eleven)
- Accommodation
- High-end villas and boutique guesthouses; prices rise significantly in summer
- Cashless Friendly
- Partially; main malls (Prince Plaza) accept cards, local cafes prefer PayPay or cash
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (¥15,000 - ¥35,000/night) and Rakuten Stay
- Budget Accommodation
- Karuizawa Cross (¥8,000/night) or Bell's Cabin Guest House
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Kyukaruizawa (Old Town) for history and shopping
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Naka-Karuizawa (closer to local amenities and coworking spaces)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Work xation Karuizawa (¥3,300/day) - High-speed wifi near the station
- Best Cafe for Work
- Eloise's Cafe; quiet forest setting with stable wifi and ¥800 coffee
- Networking Events
- Karuizawa Work Lab (periodic seminars on work-from-anywhere lifestyles)
- Social Events for Expats
- Karuizawa International Association events and seasonal gallery openings
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- JapanTaxi or GO App; Uber is rare here
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Karuizawa Ride+ (Electric bikes ¥2,500/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Joetsu Beach (Niigata), approx. 1.5 hours by car or Shinkansen/Local train
- Top Regional Airline
- ANA (via Shizuoka or Tokyo Haneda)
- Top International Airline
- JAL/United (via Tokyo Narita/Haneda)
- Highway Access
- Joshin-etsu Expressway (Usui-Karuizawa Interchange)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Karuizawa Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen line)
- Public Transport Passes
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass (¥15,000 for 3 days including Shinkansen from Tokyo)
- Regional Travel
- Shinano Railway for local trips to Komoro or Nagano City
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Karuizawa Hospital (Public, emergency services available)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Hot Springs at Hoshino Onsen Tombo-no-yu (¥1,350 entry)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park Gym (¥500 per session)
- Laundry Services
- Pierrot Coin Laundry (self-service, ¥1,000 for wash/dry)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Limited UberEats; Demae-can operates for some local pizzerias
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Shinshu Soba (Buckwheat noodles at Kawakami-an)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Sajilo Cafe Forest (Excellent vegetarian Nepalese/Indian)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Libisco Gelato (Handmade fresh daily, ¥600/scoop)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Delicia Supermarket for local produce and Shinshu wines
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.co.jp (Delivery within 24-48 hours)
- Grocery Delivery
- Arkworld (Specialty imports) and Delicia Net Super
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Harunire Terrace (Upscale evening drinks)
- Local Brewery
- Yo-Ho Brewing (Makers of Yona Yona Ale, based in Saku/Karuizawa)
- Wine Bars
- Cave de Noa (Specializing in Nagano-grown grapes)
- Street Food Stalls
- Kyukaruizawa Ginza Dori (Paomu pudding and soy sauce soft serve)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Atelier de Fromage (French-influenced cheese specialties)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Shiraito Falls (Subterranean water curtain)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Hiroshi Senju Museum (Modern art in stunning architecture)
- Historical Sites
- Mampei Hotel (Historic hotel where John Lennon stayed)
- Religious Sites
- Karuizawa Kogen Church and Stone Church
- Annual Events
- Karuizawa Winter Festival (Illuminations throughout March)
- Cultural Districts
- Kyukaruizawa (Historic summer retreat architecture)
- Theater Venues
- Karuizawa Ohga Hall (World-class wooden concert hall)
- Local Markets
- Karuizawa Farmers Market (Seasonal, usually Saturday mornings)
- Music Scene
- Classical performances at Ohga Hall
- Street Art
- Limited; focused on nature-integrated sculptures at museums
- Cooking Classes
- Konohana Cooking School (Focus on Soba and local pickles)
- Art Galleries
- Karuizawa New Art Museum
- Historic Buildings
- Mikasa Hotel (Former luxury Western-style hotel)
- Local Heritage
- Established as a western-style resort by missionary Alexander Croft Shaw
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Kumoba Pond (Swan Lake), famous for reflections and autumn colors
- National Parks Nearby
- Joshin'etsu-kogen National Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Usui Pass (Abt Road) hiking trail following old railway tracks
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Usui Pass Observation Platform (Border of Nagano and Gunma)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Karuizawa Wild Bird Sanctuary (Picchio Wildlife Research Center)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Rising Field Karuizawa (Glamping and designated fire pits)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Yamato Transport (Kuroneko) - Highly efficient local pickup
- Tech Repair Services
- PC Repair Saku (Available in neighboring Saku city, 20 mins away)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Karuizawa Kazakoshi Park Arena
- Language Classes
- Nagano Japanese Language School (located in Nagano City nearby)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Karuizawa Town Library (Quiet, public wifi available)
- Community Centers
- Karuizawa Central Community Center
- Gaming Lounges
- N/A - Town is focused on nature and wellness; most gaming is private
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Japan; Pachinko Parlors available in nearby Saku
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥850,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥25.5 million)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥500,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = ¥15.0 million)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥950,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥47.5 million)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥600,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = ¥30.0 million)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. ¥1,100,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥88.0 million)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. ¥750,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = ¥60.0 million)
- Corporate Tax
- Effective rate approx. 30.62% in Japan
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 20.42% (Standard for non-residents)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for permanent residents; non-permanent residents taxed on Japan-source income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% (plus 10% local inhabitant tax)
- VAT
- 10% (Consumption Tax)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to foreign companies with <20% tax rates
- Property Tax
- Yes, Fixed Asset Tax at 1.4% of assessed value
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 4% (Real Estate Acquisition Tax) + Registration Tax
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- The 6-month Japan Digital Nomad Visa (introduced 2024) allows tax-free stay if under 183 days