Traveling Beside-U #1: A Trip to Karuizawa, Japan

Beside-U is starting a travel series on destinations that enrich our mind and soul. Today we feature an idyllic locale tucked away in the central region of Japan.

Karuizawa is a resort town in the mountains near Nagano, Japan. We traveled from Tokyo Station in less than two hours via Shinkansen high speed bullet train.

Its proximity to Tokyo makes it a popular getaway destination in the summertime for both residents and tourists. When traveling in the colder seasons, you will be able to see Karuizawa’s famed maple trees in the fall and soak in hot springs in the winter. 

For rest and relaxation, we stayed in the Hoshinoya resort hotel. They offered an unforgettable experience. 

We witnessed the transformation from day to night, and basked in the light that illuminated the evening on the waterfront pavilion. Come and you'll feel your spirits rejuvenate.

If fine dining interests you, Hoshinoya’s main restaurant, Kasuke, offers an unforgettable experience that will satisfy even the pickiest food connoisseurs. The level of detail each presentation entails elevates each dish to a work of art, with a selection of seasonal flavors savored in traditional kaiseki cuisine.

More must visit destinations will be coming soon. In the meantime, no matter where your heart takes you, safe travels to all this holiday season. Happy Holidays!!