Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Street in Karuizawa, one of Japan’ most famous summer resorts

One of the events that triggered Karuizawa’s development as a resort area was when the Canadian missionary Alexander Croft Shaw built a holiday home there in 1888. 
Since then, many domestic and foreign celebrities have built holiday homes in Karuizawa. 

Karuizawa’s main street is called Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Street. 
The street extends for approximately 500 meters from the Kyu Karuizawa Rotary to Tsuruya Ryokan in the direction of the Kyu-Usui Pass. 
Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza has a long history before becoming an area for holiday homes. 
During the Edo period Karuizawa prospered as a post town on the Nakasendo Trail. 



There about 200 shops on both sides of this cobblestone street, including shops that sell folk crafts such as Karuizawa wood carvings, fashion shops, restaurants, cafes, shops that sell bread, homemade jams, and sausages, and shops that sell goods featuring celebrities. 
Shops ranging from old stores founded during the Meiji period to modern shops add variety to the scenery along the street. 
There is also a bakery that John Lennon frequently visited on this street. 
The entire street has a stylish Western atmosphere. 


 

The Mikado Cafe right next to Karuizawa Church is always packed with people enjoying the mocha soft-serve ice cream and coffee jelly. 
There are several shops selling handmade jams and honey where you can see the smiles of people trying samples of the products. 




The Karuizawa Tourist Information Center located in almost the midway point of the street offers plenty of information about sightseeing in Karuizawa. 
The interior of this building that is reminiscent of the former Karuizawa Post Office contains an exhibition of items from Karuizawa. 
You will be able to really enjoy sightseeing in Karuizawa if you hop onto a rickshaw from the front of the Karuizawa Tourist Information Center.