The only place where the ski lift is next to a massive outlet mall. Perfect for those who want to shred half-day and shop brands half-day.
The "Non-Skier" Savior You love skiing. Your partner loves shopping. How do you find a holiday that doesn't end in an argument? The Solution: Karuizawa. Located only 60 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen, Karuizawa Prince is a purpose-built resort village. It’s not the steepest mountain, but it is the most efficient. --- 1. The Outlet Mall (Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza) This is one of the largest premium outlets in Japan. The Pro: It is literally right next to the train station and the ski lift.
You can see the shoppers from the chairlift. The Brands: Nike, Patagonia, Gucci, Prada—everything is here. Yuki's Hack: The food court here is excellent and much cheaper than the mountain lodges. 2. The Skiing (Snowmaking Magic) The Vibe: It is usually sunny. Karuizawa relies heavily on world-class snowmaking. The Terrain: Flat, wide, and perfectly groomed. It’s not for powder hounds; it’s for people who want to look good and carve easy turns. 3.
The Après-Shop The Routine: Ski from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Swap your boots for sneakers at the locker. Shop until 6:00 PM. Have a French-Japanese fusion dinner in town. --- Karuizawa is the ultimate "First Time" or "Last Day" destination. It’s so close to Tokyo that you can do it as a day trip. Check our Resort Guide to see if Karuizawa matches your "Vibe" (it probably does if you have a Gucci bag in your luggage).