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What to Eat in Karuizawa: 5 Must-Try Restaurants

Aug. 15. 2025

Just a 90-minute bullet train ride from Tokyo, Karuizawa is a beloved summer retreat nestled in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture. With its cool climate, forest scenery, and elegant charm, it’s no wonder that Karuizawa has long attracted artists, writers, and travelers seeking beauty and tranquility.

As a resort town, it’s also home to a vibrant dining scene. Here are five restaurants where passionate chefs serve dishes inspired by Karuizawa’s natural surroundings and local ingredients.

MANO (Minami-Karuizawa)

Right: Summer ingredients sourced near Karuizawa. Left: Grilled sweetfish and buckwheat crepe. Letting the dough rest brings out the grain’s natural aroma. Hand-served at the table.

At MANO, chefs transform wild ingredients found in the forest into bold, wood-fired cuisine. Chef Nishimoto, who has had a deep passion for foraged foods since childhood—once reading wild plant encyclopedias for fun—refined his fire-cooking skills in Spain before opening MANO in Karuizawa in the summer of 2024. He uses different types of firewood to precisely control heat, bringing out the best in both meat and vegetables through dynamic yet delicate fire techniques.

A curved counter wraps around the kitchen, encouraging conversation between guests.

📍 553-3 Hoshiji, Karuizawa-machi, Nagano
🌐 Website
📅 Closed: Tuesdays & Wednesdays
🕒 Two seatings: 12:00 & 18:00 (fixed start)

Emboca Oiwake (Oiwake)

Choose from six types of pizza to end your meal. Summer’s pick: a colorful half-and-half topped with okra and cherry tomatoes.

This wood-fired pizza restaurant highlights seasonal vegetables picked fresh each morning in Karuizawa and nearby Saku. The oven’s versatility allows chefs to steam, roast, and smoke ingredients—each method tailored to bring out their unique flavors.

Signature dishes include the “Oven-Roasted Seasonal Vegetables,” “Local Wood-Fired Beef,” and vegetable-topped pizzas made with Japanese wheat dough fermented for 30 hours. The result is a moist, chewy texture that pairs perfectly with vibrant seasonal toppings.

📍 641-2 Oiwake, Karuizawa-machi, Nagano
🌐 Website
📅 Closed: Mondays & Tuesdays
🕒 Seating starts at 18:00 (fixed start)

Issa-an KARUIZAWA (Naka-Karuizawa)

Known for refined soba and expertly grilled duck, Issa-an offers a serene setting to enjoy an early dinner paired with local sake. A highlight is the “Grilled Duck Soba” featuring handmade nihachi soba (80% buckwheat) topped with grilled duck breast, thigh, and meatballs. The aroma, flavor, and texture make this dish worth savoring.

📍 3214-24 Nagakura, Karuizawa-machi, Nagano
🌐 Website
📅 Closed: Wednesdays & Thursdays (open Thursdays in summer)

Chinese Hanten Reisho (Karuizawa Town)

This Chinese fine dining restaurant—already beloved by food enthusiasts in Tokyo—has opened a Karuizawa location. Signature items include black vinegar sweet-and-sour pork and Shanghai-style fried noodles, along with original dishes crafted from Karuizawa-sourced ingredients.

One standout is the “Prawn with Walnut Mayonnaise,” featuring aromatic local walnuts from the Shinshu region. Attentive service and a relaxed atmosphere complete the experience.

📍 1265-31 Karuizawa, Karuizawa-machi, Nagano
🌐 Website
📅 Closed: Tuesdays (open daily during peak season)

Bleston Court Yukawatan (Naka-Karuizawa)

This elegant “forest grand maison” blends classic and modern French cuisine, drawing loyal guests back again and again. Seasonal ingredients from Nagano—including regional favorites like oyaki dumplings—receive a refined twist.

In August, a new outdoor aperitif area opened, allowing guests to enjoy the start of their meal surrounded by nature. Along with wine pairings, house-made mocktails crafted from local herbs and fruits are a popular option.

📍 Inside Karuizawa Hotel Bleston Court, Hoshino, Nagano
🌐 Website
📅 Closed: Irregular

If you’re wondering what to eat in Karuizawa, these local gems offer the perfect starting point. From wood-fired cuisine to elegant soba and seasonal French dining, discover why Karuizawa ranks among Japan’s top food destinations—just a short ride from Tokyo.