Karuizawa Station 軽井沢駅

Entre to Karuizawa resort town

Karuizawa, the tiny resort town in Nagano Prefecture, is at once both a retro and modern retreat from Tokyo in all seasons. I got away to this mountain town in August to escape the heat, met with refreshing cool breezes when I disembarked at Karuizawa Station. The modern train station has a tiny "machiashitsu" with wooden benches, a nod to the town's history. Look out for the carved wooden station sign in the Karuizawabori tradition. Also note the timing for Shinkansen connections. The earliest train from Tokyo Station is 6:28, and the last train out is 22:08 on weekdays. The Karuizawa Tourist Information Center at the north exit provides maps and pamphlets, getting you oriented for your visit and opens at 9:00 a.m.