There are cafes and little food stalls inside, so you can stroll around, eat, and enjoy the scenery—super chill vibe!
If you have enough time, I totally recommend going in the evening to catch the sunset. The castle looks absolutely stunning with the sunset backdrop!
Azumaya Kyu-Karuizawa Branch
Located towards the end of Old Karuizawa Ginza Street, Azumaya serves delicious Japanese dishes such as soba noodles and its popular specialty, Chikara-mochi (bite-sized rice cakes). The store is easy to spot with its distinctive noren curtain and lanterns marked "力餅" (Chikara-mochi).
Sweet but not too heavy, and it goes perfectly with tea. After strolling around Karuizawa, it's a great spot to pick up some sweets or souvenirs—really captures the Karuizawa vibe.
J Art Foundation
Originally opened in 2006 as the Sapporo Miyanomori Art Museum-the first contemporary art museum in Hokkaido-this institution reopened in May 2025 under the new name J Art Foundation after a seven-year closure.
This is a really classy art space. The atmosphere is quiet and super comfortable. The exhibitions aren't just visually beautiful—they're also pretty deep, so you'll want to take your time and really soak it all in. The overall design of the space is really creative, too. It looks great in photos! Definitely a spot for anyone who loves art and design.
HUB Akihabara Store
Founded in 1980, HUB is a British-style pub that boasts about 50 stores in the Kanto region and over 100 nationwide, with the Akihabara shop serving as the hotspot for both Japanese and international travelers. The pub's relaxed atmosphere is almost reminiscent of a café, making it easy to swing by for easy drinks or a chance to mingle over conversation.
It's been a while since I visited Akihabara. After walking around, I stopped by for a drink to relax 😌
Besides this HUB, there's also another chain pub called 82 that I really recommend too!
