Karuizawa day trip from Tokyo: Private tour with Shiraito Falls

Shiraito Falls drops in a curtain of water through forest you walk past on the way to quiet ponds and a woodland church.

A private full-day tour from Tokyo to Karuizawa with hotel pickup and drop-off, visiting Shiraito Falls, Old Karuizawa Ginza Street, Kumoba Pond, and Stone Church on a route you shape to match your interests. The tour runs seven hours in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English or Japanese-speaking guide. Fuel, tolls and parking are included. You choose how much time to spend at each stop and whether to add the Karuizawa Prince Shopping outlet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Karuizawa's nature and shopping

• Visit Shiraito Falls
• Stroll Old Karuizawa Ginza Street
• Relax at Kumoba Pond
• Discover Stone Church architecture
• Shop at Karuizawa Prince Outlet

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup from your Tokyo hotel and a drive to Karuizawa, where Shiraito Falls greets you first: a cascade of water dropping through lush forest that you walk up to and stand in front of. From there, the day branches according to what you want: Old Karuizawa Ginza Street holds boutiques, local bakeries and craft shops where you can spend as long as you like and grab lunch on your own; Kumoba Pond offers a quieter stretch where you walk the perimeter and watch reflections shift with the season; Stone Church sits in a woodland setting with distinctive architecture that photographs well and feels removed from the city entirely.

Because the itinerary is flexible, you're not locked into a fixed schedule or a set amount of time at each site. The guide adjusts the route based on what interests you most (whether that's nature, shopping, or architecture), and can add the Karuizawa Prince Shopping outlet if you want to browse international brands and restaurants. The private vehicle means no waiting for other travelers, no shared stops, and no compromise on timing. Seven hours gives you enough daylight to move between attractions without rushing, though the exact pace is yours to set.

A guide in English or Japanese travels with you for the full day, and the vehicle stays air-conditioned throughout. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Tokyo bookend the trip, so you don't arrange transport to a meeting point. Fuel, tolls and parking are covered in the price.

What’s included

• Private transportation between all attractions.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Tokyo.
• fuel, tolls and parking fees.
• a private air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• a flexible itinerary you customize based on your interests.
• a live guide in English or Japanese.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by The Washoku Club Culture and Food Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling as a couple, a small family, or a group of friends who want to move at your own pace without waiting for other travelers. The private vehicle and flexible itinerary mean you spend as long as you want at each stop, whether that's an hour at Shiraito Falls or a leisurely afternoon browsing Old Karuizawa Ginza Street.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What is Shiraito Falls like when you get there?

Shiraito Falls is a curtain of cascading water surrounded by lush greenery and forest, and you walk up close to it. The setting is peaceful and the water drops through trees, so it photographs well and feels removed from the city despite being a day trip from Tokyo.

Can I spend different amounts of time at each stop, or is the schedule fixed?

The itinerary is flexible and customizable to your interests. You decide how long to spend at Shiraito Falls, Old Karuizawa Ginza Street, Kumoba Pond, and Stone Church, and the guide adjusts the route accordingly.

What's included in the price for a full-day tour?

Private transportation between all attractions, hotel pickup and drop-off in Tokyo, fuel, tolls, parking fees, and a private air-conditioned vehicle for the seven-hour tour are included. Meals and personal expenses are separate.

Can I add shopping to the itinerary, or is it already part of the tour?

The Karuizawa Prince Shopping outlet is optional and can be added if you want to browse international brands, fashion boutiques and restaurants. Old Karuizawa Ginza Street, with its local shops and cafés, is part of the standard route.