A single night in Karuizawa is barely enough to get a taste of the place—time flies by in a rush.
You arrive, unpack, eat, and sleep… and before you know it, the time to leave is fast approaching.
For busy modern people, there’s no doubt that being able to enjoy things efficiently is a key factor.
However, sometimes it’s necessary to slow down and be mindful of the passage of time.
For such moments, I recommend staying for multiple nights in Karuizawa—a place with excellent access where convenience and tranquility exist side by side.
The first day is a time to let your body soak in the atmosphere of this land.
Then, on the second day, the tranquility finally begins to seep into your inner self.
The crisp morning air.
The uneventful hours of the afternoon.
The deep, enveloping silence of the night.
Each moment is not a single point in time, but connects as part of a single flow.
I believe there is an aspect to time in this place that is not meant to be rushed.
Live as if you were at home
Here, there’s no need to stick to a schedule.
I wake up in the morning and brew some coffee.
I step outside for a moment to breathe in the fresh air and the scent of nature.
Just that alone is enough to quietly shape the outline of my day.
In the afternoon, I might read a book, or I might just spend time at a café, following my whims.
Time flows quietly by, even when it feels like I’m doing nothing at all.
The sound of the wind rustling through the silence, birds chirping, the distant hum of cars… Amidst the richness of nature’s sounds, my thoughts finally begin to take shape.
Here, the focus of your stay is not so much on “what to do” but on “how to be.”
It’s okay to be nobody—the moment you realize this simple truth, if you can feel the comfort of having relaxed without even noticing, and of your thoughts being set free, that becomes a preciousness that cannot be replaced by anything else.
Another way to spend time with your loved ones
There’s another kind of time to be found during a stay here.
It’s time spent with your beloved dog—a cherished member of the family.
While walks in nature were limited in the city, here you can gain so much just by walking.
Watching your dog engage in nose work, strolling freely on the grass, and playing in a dog park brimming with nature.
As you walk through the dappled sunlight, the family’s breathing slowly settles into a calm rhythm.
It almost seems as if they’re walking with more of a spring in their step than usual.
Whether it’s because this is a fun trip or because they sense the relaxed rhythm of their owner… either way, happy moments flow by here.
The small town and its surroundings are dotted with many places where you can spend time with your dog, allowing you to spend every moment with your family.
Such rich moments become a unique form of stay—one that feels special yet effortless.
A little time to get away
On the afternoon of the second day,
when I spend my time without making any plans, I sometimes find myself thinking, “Maybe I’ll venture a little further afield.”
It’s about a 40-minute drive from Karuizawa.
I head to Mochizuki in Saku City—a place that isn’t just an extension of a tourist destination, but one where the atmosphere of everyday life remains intact.
In one corner of this town stands a restaurant called Gusk.
It’s a space designed for quietly savoring food, keeping a certain distance from flashiness and the obvious.
As I savor each carefully crafted dish made with local ingredients, I feel the passage of time shift ever so slightly.
It’s not a place you rush to; it’s a place you can only reach because you have time to spare.
YUSHICAFE, a traditional Japanese-style café located just a short distance from Gusk, is one such place.
The nostalgic atmosphere created by a sensibility that cherishes the best of the past and the warmth of the people there makes it easy to lose track of time…
It is precisely because I am staying in Karuizawa that even the distance feels comfortable.
A Day in Karuizawa
Morning.
I wake up while the air is still cool.
I brew some coffee and step outside.
Nothing out of the ordinary happens.
Yet my thoughts slowly settle down.
Noon.
I grab a bite to eat somewhere, then spend the rest of the time doing whatever takes my fancy.
Sometimes I open a book; other times, I simply close my eyes.
Time flows by without any breaks.
Night.
The light fades, and the entire town is enveloped in silence.
There’s no need to wrap anything up;
the day simply draws to a close, as if unraveling naturally.
If you ever feel like stepping away,
even just a little, from the hustle and bustle of daily life…
Please try spending a few days here, living as if you were a local.
In Karuizawa, you can spend your time visiting famous sights or enjoying shopping.
But this town is a place where,
if you stay a little longer, you’ll discover a different kind of charm.
The shop featured on this blog
===================
Güsk
100-1 Mochizuki, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture 384-2202
[Business Hours]
Lunch: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Last entry at 2:00 PM)
Dinner: 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
[Closed]
Tuesdays, Monday evenings
===================
YUSHICA FÉ Tembodo Coffee
2379 Kyowa, Saku City, Nagano Prefecture 384-2204
[Business Hours]
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
[Closed]
None
===================
