Must-Get Souvenirs In Karuizawa! The Best 10 Souvenirs

Karuizawa is where people visit to escape from heat in summer. Located 3 hours away by car, or 1 hour by bullet train from Tokyo, there is rich nature to have you relaxed! Also there are other sightseeing places such as Kyuu Karuizawa, the outlet mall just next to Prince Hotel, and Harunire Terrace in the Hoshino area. In this article, I will introduce the top 10 souvenirs you must get once you are in Karuizawa!

Boulanger Asanoya

The bakery “Boulangerie Asanoya” was established in 1933, and has been in operation for more than 80 years in Karuizawa now. You can get a wide variety of breads such as raisin bread, white bread, flavoured oils, baked sweets, and rusks which are suitable for souvenirs.

If you buy one, then of course you can have them on the spot at the shop! Especially “Chocolait Bread” is what you must try here!

Atelier De Fromage

This shop offers an original cheese cake which made with the ingredients grown in Japan by the French technique called melange. Starting from green cheese, they have been making other unique cheese and have been loved by the locals as a cheese shop.

They sell about 20 kinds of cheese which are made of milk imported from the local farms. Although this shop is specifically specialised in cheese making, other cheese based products such as pizza and sweets are great. They have their shops not only in Nagano, but also Tokyo and Nagoya too. Try get one for souvenir!

Schokoladen Burg

You will feel like as if you are staying in the castle of chocolate here! “Schokoladen Burg Karuizawa” is a chocolate shop which offers beautiful chocolates with a mouth-melting texture. All chocolates are handmade, using only the selected ingredients. It tastes great with coffee or tea!

Its size is just okay – not too big, but not too small. And the popular items here is the one with Macadamia, or framboise. Why not sit and relax in a calm atmosphere, and get some souvenirs?

Karuizawa Farmers Gift

From colourful jams to regular side dish, where you can get most souvenirs is here – “Karuizawa Farmers Gift” located in “Karuizawa Shopping Plaza”.

Here, you can purchase a wide range of souvenirs including the fruits sauce, sweets, pasta sauce, and earthenwares created in the Shinshu region. Especially “Gu Mayo”, a side dish with the ingredients mixed with mayonnaise, is one of the most popular items as it can be used for rice balls as well. If you have a chance to visit Karuizawa, this is where you must try!

Sawaya

This shop, specialising in jam, has been in operation for more than 60 years now, and offers a wide variety of beautiful jams using the freshest fruits possible! “Sawaya” uses the seasonal fruits to make jams, so they are all in great conditions!

Moreover, sugar used for their jams is a granulated sugar made of sugar beet from Hokkaido. It is not too sweet, so it won’t spoil the natural taste of fruits. Other than jams, you will see juice, fruit sauce, pickled vegetables, and fruits in syrup. Just drop by to get some of them!

Chouzumeya

The owner of this shop “Chouzumeya”, who has learned how to make hams in Germany, Italy, and Spain, and started researching on them in Japan, launched to make hams here in 1983 and since then, it took so long to complete its style!

But actually they have some shops not only in Karuizawa, but also in Ohta City, Gunma, and in Nasu Gun, Tochigi. You can get some amazing hams and sausages to have them there on the spot! All the products have a deep taste which you cannot try at other shops in Japan.

Tsuruya

“Tsuruya” is actually a local supermarket in Nagano, and thus it offers a wide range of local souvenirs too! From vegetables and fruits imported directly from the local farms to meat and fish, all those ingredients are beautiful and you will know the producers too.

If you have a chance to visit, just try the original products of Tsuruya including apple butter. Once you are in Karuizawa of Nagano, this supermarket is one of the best places to purchase a souvenir!

Karuizawa France Bakery

When the owner, who was working as a baker chief at the hotel before the war started, offered the tourists a Western confectionary and a bread although they were not very popular at that time – it was the time that the history of this shop began. After the war, he started his own shop in Karuizawa where all the tourists from overseas gather and it has been keeping its original and traditional taste of breads!

Of all, baguettes are one of the best and long sellers. Or you can also try salt croissants as well – and moreover, there is a gift set too, so it is actually great for souvenir!

Sweets Renverser

When it comes to the shop specialising in pudding in Karuizawa, it is “Sweets Renverser”. It has recently been opened in front of the station so that it is quite easy to visit the shop. They offer a wide range of products including baked sweets as well as pudding, and have an eat-in section inside.

Starting from the ordinary custard pudding, they have many more – strawberry parfait pudding and arranged pudding. IThe one called “premium pudding roll” which is basically a pudding covered with chiffon cake can be an amazing gift for anyone! If you arrive at the station, this might be the first stop to drop by!

Maruyama Coffee

This extremely popular coffee shop “Maruyama Coffee” was born in Karuizawa, and has expanded to the Kanto and Koshinetsu region, and has a shop overseas. The owner visits other countries as a buyer of coffee beans and has special skills to roast. He has also taken part in some barista championships to compete, and still tries to make an effort in making good coffees!

From the standard blended coffee to the original ones, they have a wide variety of products to offer! You will love their coffee for sure. If you feel a little tired after a long day, drop by and relax!

Get Your Favourite Products As a Souvenir!

How was it? I have introduced the best 10 souvenirs you must get in Karuizawa. If you have a chance to go on a trip, getting some souvenirs is a must-do! When it happens, please refer to this article to choose the best item. If you give it to your loved ones, that will make them happy!