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The Usui Pass Observation Platform (‰O•X“»Œ©°‘ä, Usui Tōge Miharashidai) is located about four kilometers northeast of the Kyu-Karuizawa town center, straddling the border of Gunma and Nagano prefectures. Beautiful views over the mountains of Gunma Prefecture on one side and Mount Asama on the other side can be enjoyed from this observation platform.

Nearby is the Kumano Kotai Shrine (ŒF–ìc‘å_ŽÐ, Kumano Kōtai Jinja) which interestingly sits on the border of Gunma and Nagano as well. There are three halls at the shrine: the main hall (hongu) sits on top of the border, the Nachi hall on the Nagano side to the left, and the Shingu Hall on the Gunma side to the right. The Kumano Kotai Shrine is a branch shrine of the Kumano Sanzan shrines on the Kii Peninsula.

Getting there and around

From late April to late November, a red retro bus for tourists (Karuizawa Aka Bus) operates about once per hour between the Manpei Hotel, the Karuizawa Ginza and the Usui Pass Observation Platform. The fare is 500 yen per ride.

A taxi ride from Karuizawa Station takes about ten minutes and costs around 2000 yen one way. Alternatively, the observation platform can be reached in a 40-50 minute uphill walk along the road from the Karuizawa Ginza shopping street.

How to get to and around Karuizawa

Hours and Fees

Hours

Closed

Admission

Hotels around Karuizawa

Top rated in Karuizawa
Budget:
    • B&B Hotel Hyochoan
      Mid-range
      Opened in August 2012, B&B Hotel Hyochoan offers simple Western-style accommodations. Free in-room WiFi is available and guests can enjoy bird watching from the propertyfs terrace. JR Karuizawa Station is a 15-minute drive away. The air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen TV with Apple TV, Hulu and Netflix, an iPod docking system and an electric kettle with green tea bags. Japanese Yukata robes are provided for all guests and the en suite bathroom comes with a bathtub. A washing machine can be used free of charge during specific hours, upon request, and free private parking is on site. Luggage storage is provided at the front desk. A free shuttle is available from JR Karuizawa Station, if requested in advance. The property is handicap-accessible. Japanese and Western homemade meals are available at Caf? Hyochoan. Guests can soak in the Hoshino Hot Spring just 3-minutes away via car or visit the famous Shiraito Falls with a 7-minute drive. Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza and Lake Kumoba can both be reached with a 15-minute drive.
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    • Hotel Wellies
      Mid-range
      Situated along a peaceful tree-lined street in Karuizawa, Hotel Wellies offers a British country hotel experience in the highland resort area. There is an English style garden with a lawn and gazebo and it comes with an English-language library, homemade British meals and spacious guest rooms that went through renovations every year since opening from 2013 to 2016. Free WiFi is available at public areas and all guest rooms. The whole hotel is non-smoking inside and all guest rooms include a 32-inch flat screen TV and a fridge. A hairdryer and toiletries are included in the en suite bathroom. All rooms has views of surrounding greenery, and some rooms feature great views of Mount Asama. Guests at Wellies Hotel can leave their luggage and ski/golf equipment at the property, or use a safety deposit box. Free parking and bicycle hire are available. The property's signature dish is a hearty, hot full English breakfast with homemade sausages, home-cured bacon and black pudding (included in the room rate). A 4-course meal, including authentic dishes such as fish & chips, beef stew, Yorkshire pudding and home smoked salmon is also available at a surcharge. Property staff are able to recommend local restaurants to guests who wish to eat out. The on-site bar offers local and imported beers, wines, cocktails and spirits, including many Scotch whiskies. A welcome tea is served to guests arriving before 18:00. Both Karuizawa Shinkansen (bullet train) Station, an outlet shopping mall, the Prince Ski Resort, Shiozawa Lake and the Kyu-Karuizawa area are all approximately a 10-minute drive from the property, while Naka-Karuizawa Station on the Shinano Line is a 3-minute drive. The Hoshino area with hot spring baths, the Sezon Museum of Modern Art, Harunire Terrace and Karuizawa Stone Church are a 5-minute drive away. The Yu River and local temples and shrines can also be reached within a 5-minute walk.
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    • Karuizawa Asama Prince Hotel
      Luxury
      Offering a magnificent view of Mount Asama, Karuizawa Asama Prince Hotel features an 18-hole golf course and a spa. JR Karuizawa Station and Karuizawa Shopping Plaza are a 12-minute drive from the resort. All rooms are air conditioned and equipped with a refrigerator and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Each features a balcony, where guests can enjoy the view of Mount Asama. The private bathroom comes with a bath and a hairdryer. At Karuizawa Asama Prince Hotel, guests can get soothing spa treatments or play a round of golf. The bar offers a variety of cocktails for a relaxing evening. The Hiroshi Senju Museum is a 10-minute drive away, while Lake Kumobaike is a 15-minute drive from the property. Yukawa Furusato Park can be accessed within a 12-minute drive from the hotel.
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    • Hotel Indigo Karuizawa
      Luxury
      Situated within ‚R km of JR Karuizawa Station, , Hotel Indigo Karuizawa in Karuizawa has a number of amenities including a restaurant, a fitness centre and a public bath. This 4-star hotel features a 24-hour front desk and room service. Guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a coffee machine. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a hot tub and slippers, all rooms at Hotel Indigo Karuizawa have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and some rooms have a seating area. The rooms have a safety deposit box. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza is 2 km from the hotel, while Karuizawa Oga Hall is 2.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 66 km from Hotel Indigo Karuizawa.
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    • Twin-Line Hotel Karuizawa Japan
      Luxury
      Featuring a restaurant and a bar, Twin-Line Hotel Karuizawa Japan is situated in Karuizawa, 700 metres from Karuizawa Station and 17 km from Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park. Located around 1.9 km from Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza, the hotel with free WiFi is also 600 metres away from Karuizawa Oga Hall. The property is less than 1 km from Kyukaruizawa Ginza and a 12-minute walk from Kumoba Pond. At the hotel, each room is fitted with a desk and a TV. The private bathroom is equipped with a bidet, a hairdryer and free toiletries. A ? la carte breakfast is served every morning at the property, while Spanish cuisine is available. Staff speak English and Japanese at the reception. Yukawa Furusato Park is 5 km from Twin-Line Hotel Karuizawa Japan. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 89 km from the accommodation.
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    • Bellscabin Guesthouse
      Budget-friendly
      Situated around a 15-minute stroll away, or 900 metres from Naka-Karuizawa Station, the completely non-smoking Bellscabin Guesthouse provides cosy rooms in bold colours and free WiFi throughout. Skiing and summer outdoor activities can be found nearby. Looking out on the natural surroundings, rooms at Cafe & Guesthouse Bellscabin are air-conditioned. Bed linen is provided. Showers and toilets are shared with the other guests. The shared bath is open 24/7. Karuizawa Prince Ski Resort and Kyu Karuizawa Golf Club are both about a 15-minute drive away. Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza is 4 km away. Parking is free, and bicycles and cars can be hired on site. Tonbu-no-yu hot-spring bath and Ishino Church are both a 20-minute walk away. There are hiking opportunities in the area. A free-use internet PC is provided. A Western breakfast is served daily from 07:30-09:00 at the property's cafe.
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    • Kyukaruizawa Kikyo, Curio Collection by Hilton
      Luxury
      Located in Karuizawa, Kyukaruizawa Kikyo, Curio Collection by Hilton is situated a 6-minute walk from Kyu Karuizawa Ginza Dori shopping street. Complimentary shuttle service is available to/from JR Karuizawa Station, 1.2 km from the property. Featuring a local artwork, the contemporary rooms come with a 50-inch flat-screen TV and Nespresso Coffee Machine. The private bathroom includes Maison Margiela bath amenities. Selected rooms feature a patio or balcony with courtyard views. The property offers private parking on site. Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza is a 6-minute drive from the property. Haneda International Airport is 2-hour by train from the property, while Narita International Airport is a 2-hour train ride away.
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    • Kutsukake Stay Naka-Karuizawa
      Mid-range
      Located in Karuizawa, 21 km from Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park, Kutsukake Stay Naka-Karuizawa provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a shared lounge. Featuring a garden, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space for guests. Kutsukake Stay Naka-Karuizawa offers a terrace. Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza is 5 km from the accommodation, while Yukawa Furusato Park is 1.3 km away. Guests use Shinkansen Bullet train from Tokyo, Osaka, and other areas or drive by themselves.
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    • HOTEL KARUIZAWA CROSS
      Mid-range
      HOTEL KARUIZAWA CROSS has a garden, shared lounge, a restaurant and bar in Karuizawa. With free WiFi, this 3-star hotel offers a ski pass sales point and a concierge service. Some units at the property feature a terrace with a city view. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At HOTEL KARUIZAWA CROSS all rooms have bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Guests at HOTEL KARUIZAWA CROSS will be able to enjoy activities in and around Karuizawa, like hiking, skiing and cycling. Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park is 18 km from the hotel, while Honmachi Machiyakan is 22 km from the property. The nearest airport is Matsumoto Airport, 87 km from HOTEL KARUIZAWA CROSS.
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    • Tsuruya Ryokan
      Luxury
      Located in the city centre, Tsuruya Ryokan boasts chic guest rooms with antique furniture. It features large public baths, and free Wi-Fi is provided throughout the property. Each room comes with a historic ambience with comfortable warm colours, and fitted with a flat-screen TV, an air purifier and a personal safe. Some rooms have tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding. Guests at Ryokan Tsuruya can enjoy thorough in-room massages at an extra charge (reservation needed), or relax in the spacious baths. Coin launderette and souvenir shop are available on site. Guestsf luggage can be left at the front desk for free after checking out. Traditional Japanese meals are offered for dinner in the elegant dining room. A breakfast buffet features both Western and Japanese dishes. The ryokan is a 5-minute drive from JR Karuizawa Shinkansen (bullet train) Station. St.Paulo Catholic Church is a 5-minute walk away, while Karuizawa Outlet Shopping Plaza is a 7-minute drive from the property.
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