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All Japan Karuizawa

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Karuizawa

2 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Karuizawa, Japan

Updated October 9, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Karuizawa

Karuizawa Museum of Picture Books in Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan

Karuizawa, Japan

Karuizawa Picture Book Forest Museum

Children's literature inside, forest all around.
Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Stone Church

Karuizawa, Japan

Uchimura Kanzo Memorial Stone Church

An unusual structure of stone and glass honoring one of Japan’s most eminent Christian leaders who founded the non-church movement.
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Touge no kamameshi.

Annaka, Japan

Oginoya’s Kettle Rice Pottery

This iconic “station bento” comes in an earthenware pot you can take home and repurpose.
7 miles from Karuizawa
Tatsuoka Castle Site

Saku, Japan

Tatsuoka Castle Site

The site of one of the only two star-shaped forts in Japan was used as an elementary school for over a century, much longer than its life as a castle.
11 miles from Karuizawa
The Tomioka Silk Mill.

Tomioka, Japan

Tomioka Silk Mill

The World Heritage-designated site of Japan’s industrial revolution, once mistaken as a den of vampires.
17 miles from Karuizawa
Aerial view of the burial site.

Takasaki, Japan

Hodota Burial Mounds

A trio of keyhole-shaped burial mounds restored to their ancient glory.
21 miles from Karuizawa
A large daruma rests easy having fulfilled its purpose

Takasaki, Japan

Shorinzan Darumaji Temple

Each year this Japanese temple overflows with scowling, bearded good luck talismans.
22 miles from Karuizawa
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