5 Recommended Bars and Restaurants to Visit in Karuizawa Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-date: Apr 08 2025

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Nagano Karuizawa Bar/Cocktails

5 Recommended Bars and Restaurants to Visit in Karuizawa

Surrounded by rich nature, Karuizawa is a popular area for summer retreats and winter sports, attracting attention from foreign tourists. A bar where one can taste carefully selected alcoholic beverages,a long-established taste loved by locals, and recommended bars and restaurants where one can enjoy dishes made with local ingredients from Karuizawa will be introduced.

See full listings of Bar/Cocktails restaurants found in and around Nagano and Karuizawa.

Bar Katsuji -Bar KatsuHaru Karuizawa-

Bar Katsuji, located an 18-minute walk from Karuizawa Station, is an authentic bar where one can enjoy Japanese whiskey, gin, and fine spirits from around the world. The cocktail 'Orchard Night,' which won a world championship, is characterized by its deep flavor reminiscent of aged fruits. It also offers dishes that utilize local ingredients from Nagano, such as 'Shinshu Beef Loin Steak' and '100% Shinshu Beef Bolognese.'

5 Recommended Restaurants and Bars to Visit in Karuizawa

This restaurant, located on the Old Karuizawa Ginza Street, features a hidden gem-like atmosphere with an exterior that does not immediately resemble a bar. Upon opening the door, a striking space unfolds, highlighted by a 15-meter-long, substantial counter. Approximately 500 bottles of rare Japanese whiskey and other spirits are lined up, and the sight of their beautiful labels and bottles is truly impressive. In this calm environment, one can slowly enjoy their preferred drink.

Bar KatsuHaru Karuizawa

Open: 2:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: 18-minute walk from Karuizawa Station on JR Hokuriku Shinkansen
Address: 813-4-B, Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano
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COCKTAIL WORKS Karuizawa

Located a 15-minute walk from Karuizawa Station, COCKTAIL WORKS Karuizawa offers a menu featuring seasonal ingredients such as apples and grapes from Nagano Prefecture, as well as Shinshu beef. The 'Shinshu Beef Loin Steak' is a dish that pairs well with wine. A wide variety of drinks, including cocktails and mocktails made with plenty of seasonal fruits, are also available. Guests can also enjoy wine pairings curated by a sommelier.

5 Recommended Restaurants and Bars to Visit in Karuizawa | Karuizawa

The interior, styled in an antique manner, exudes a chic atmosphere, creating a calm space. At the spacious counter seats, patrons can enjoy a view of the wall lined with bottles of alcohol. In this quietly flowing time, they can savor delicious dishes and drinks. Additionally, there is a liquor shop adjacent to the restaurant, where they can purchase sake from Nagano, whiskies from various countries, and craft spirits.

Cocktail Works Karuizawa

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm / Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm) Last order for food is 10:00 pm / [Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm) Last order for food is 10:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: 15-minute walk from the north exit of Karuizawa Station on JR Hokuriku Shinkansen
Address: 1-12-C, Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano
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LOW-NON-BAR #RTS

Located an 18-minute walk from Karuizawa Station, LOW-NON-BAR #RTS is a specialty restaurant for mocktails and low-alcohol cocktails. Under the concept of 'enjoyable for both those who love alcohol and those who don't,' it offers a variety of unique drinks. The mocktail named after the restaurant, 'LOW-NON-BAR,' features a deep flavor characterized by fruity sweetness and acidity. It is served in an adorable glass shaped like a small bird, reminiscent of the chicken from which cocktails are said to have originated.

The restaurant features a predominantly white interior, with bottles arranged along the walls like art, creating a stylish space reminiscent of a gallery. The mocktails made with the non-alcoholic craft gin "GINNIE," which the restaurant helped develop, and the mixology cocktails that utilize seasonal ingredients are highly recommended. Additionally, diners can enjoy dishes unique to Karuizawa, such as "Shinshu beef steak."

LOW-NON-BAR #RTS

Open: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: 18-minute walk from Karuizawa Station on JR Hokuriku Shinkansen
Address: 813-4-A, Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano

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Tenpura Manki

Tenpura Maki, located a 20-minute walk from Karuizawa Station, is a tempura restaurant that was established in 1959. The vegetables used are sourced from Karuizawa and the surrounding areas, while the seafood is delivered fresh from Tokyo. The tempura, carefully fried by a dedicated chef, is characterized by its crispy texture and gentle flavor. Diners can enjoy its taste through set menus like 'Asama-yama' or the a la carte 'Assorted Seasonal Vegetables'.

The restaurant is located a little off the old Karuizawa Ginza Street. It is known as a popular spot that opens only from mid-April to November, often with long lines. The interior has a calm atmosphere, providing a spacious environment to relax. The table seats and the raised tatami seating area, where customers can take off their shoes, are suitable for group use. At the counter seats, diners can watch the chef frying tempura right in front of them.

Tempura Maki

Open: Lunch: 11:00-15:00Dinner: 17:00-21:00 (last order 20:30)Open from 15:00-17:00 as well in the summer.
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,800 JPY / [Lunch] 1,600 JPY
Access: Walk straight toward Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza from Karuizawa Station on the Nagano Shinkansen or Shinano Railway Line. 30 seconds on Mikasa-dori Avenue from Kyu-Karuizawa Shopping Street.
Address: 586-1 Kyu Karuizawa , Karuizawa-machi, Kitasaku-gun, Nagano
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Restaurant Carrot

Restaurant Carrot, located just 10 minutes by car from the Higashi-Yunomaru IC, is an Italian restaurant that offers a variety of dishes made with seasonal ingredients from the local area, including vegetables from its own garden. A recommended dish is the 'Shinshu Salmon Salad Pizza' topped with plenty of salmon from Nagano. Additionally, there is a course menu that allows guests to enjoy a diverse range of dishes.

The restaurant features a bright and spacious interior, characterized by a homey atmosphere. In addition to casual table seating, there are private rooms suitable for groups of 3 to 10 people. Guests can relax in a comfortable space while enjoying dishes made with ingredients from Nagano and wine produced in Nagano. The chef's handmade desserts and the 'homemade bread' baked on-site are also popular.

Restaurant Carrot

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday] 11:00 am - 9:00 pm *Closing time may be earlier depending on the situation. *The food is not available from 14:30 to 17:00 due to café time.
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,300 JPY
Access: 10 minutes by car from Tobuyunomaru IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway. We can be found along Route 18.
Address: 1476 Moto Un'no , Tomi-shi, Nagano
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This article was written by AI Translation.

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.