Karuizawa is a mountain resort town in Nagano Prefecture. From Tokyo, it’s a 65 min one-way trip by Hakutaka Shinkansen or 75 mins if you take the slightly slower Asama Shinkansen (both are covered by the JR Pass). In winter, Karuizawa is a popular snow resort, but doesn’t get the same quality or quantity of snow other Nagano resorts like Hakuba, so it’s more popular with locals than overseas tourists.

Effective from Monday, 7th January 2019, visitors to Japan will pay a 1,000 yen departure tax to expand and enhance the country’s tourist infrastructure — a small tax that will make a significant difference. Note: this tax is built into the price of your international airfare or cruise and no additional payment is required on departure from Japan.

In Japan, from June 15 when the Private Lodging Business Act (hereinafter “PLB Act”) becomes effective, any intermediary activities to reserve rooms at accommodations not licensed under the Inns and Hotels Act or those not duly registered under the PLB Act, is unlawful. Accordingly, reservations for such rooms through online booking sites may be subject to cancellation.

Updated 19 June 2018 On June 18th, 2018 at approximately 8:00 am JST (23:00 pm GMT), a strong earthquake (Magnitude 6.1) occurred in the northern Osaka area. According to Japan Meteorological Agency, this earthquake poses no tsunami risk.

Partners Information: Take a train trip to the Furano and Biei areas of Hokkaido! The Furano Biei Rail Ticket allows includes round-trip travel from Sapporo Station to Furano-Biei using the non-reserved seats section of the limited express trains.